Nutrition Feature of the Month: Promoting Safe Weight Gain
Safely Refeeding the Rescue Horse or any Underweight Equine. Sometime Less is More...
by Lori K. Warren, Ph.D, PAS
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you are undoubtedly aware of the sorry state of the economy. While this downturn has affected our stock portfolios and perhaps our job security, it has also impacted the horse industry.
A relative surplus of horses, coupled with the rising cost of upkeep, has led to a tremendous increase in the number of “unwanted” horses. Rescue facilities have been overwhelmed with horses that have been surrendered by owners who are no longer able to care for them, as well as horses seized by animal control agencies due to abuse or neglect. Many of these horses are thin, if not downright starving. While our first instinct is to pour on the feed, in some instances this may hurt the horse rather than help.
If you manage a horse rescue facility or are considering fostering an unwanted horse because you have extra room in the barn, this article will help you navigate the early re-feeding process. Or, if you have a horse that is underweight, this article will give you feeding suggestions for promoting safe weight gain.
The Starvation Process. When the body does not receive adequate calories or other nutrients in the diet, it begins to consume itself. In the beginning, any fat and carbohydrate stored in the body will be used to supply the energy needed to maintain normal body functions. When these sources are depleted, energy will be derived from the breakdown of body proteins.Although protein is second only to water in its abundance in the body, it exists to play specific functions as tissues, enzymes, hormones and antibodies. Little to no extra protein is stored. During the advanced stages of starvation, the protein in muscles, as well as vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, and tissues of the digestive tract will be broken down for energy. Because these organs are necessary for life, their continued dismantling will result in organ failure and death.
Get Your Veterninarian Involved. There are many causes of weight loss. Most commonly, severe weight loss results from an inadequate quantity and quality of feed, or seasonal declines in pasture if it serves as the primary feed source. Horses can also become emaciated due tochronic deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals, malabsorption of nutrients resulting from diarrhea or poor dental function, intestinalparasites, and pathological conditions such as cancer, infections, or diseases of the liver, kidneys or pancreas. Regardless of the cause of the weight loss, the health of the horse should be evaluated by a veterinarian before initiating any changes in the nutritional program. This isparticularly true for horses that are extremely thin or emaciated and/or have an unknown history. In addition to a physical exam, a veterinarianwill need to assess the its parasite load and dental health, as well as perform routine blood tests to evaluate metabolic status and organ function.
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