So I'd like to get my older gelding started on supplements to help him through the winter.

I'd like to start him on MSM again for his arthritis and BOSS for weight gain. However, I don't really want to start feeding grain..... is there a way you can do this??

He has arthritis, heaves and weight problems. If anyone has any advice that'd be great.

you could add flax to his diet...

I would mix the BOSS and supplements with some beet pulp. If anything, I only feed a bit of oats in the winter and like to mix it with some warm beet pulp. Looks more appealing than just plain, dry oats to me. They seem to love it too.

Try and get molasses free beet pulp, I'm pretty sure the feed store should be able to order it in for you. How old is Bill now? You can also use some straight Alfalfa cubes, but just watch his feet for sensitivities Flax. Straight oil (1 cup/day)added to Alfalfa or Alfalfa/Timothy cubes. Stabalized rice bran is a good source of fat but its a bit more pricey (a little goes a long way).

Bill's 17. He seems fine eating his hay, he just needs the extra poundage and I really want to try the MSM for his arthritis. I may try the beet pulp. Thanks guys. :)

Why not a senior feed? Worthy gets 4 cups a day, and 1 cup Equilizer + pasture, no hay yet....it is really plumping him up for winter :-)

I will be bringing a SB mare here later this month. She seems too thin with winter coming. BOSS will help put weight on? I am going to put her on the MSM as well. I read this thread but am still a bit confused on amounts. She is a big girl 15-16hh. She looks alot like Worthy but thinner. I know SB are bony compared to my fat QH, but I just want to keep her in the best condition possible. How many times a day do you feed? Right now I just give the QH a handful of sweet feed to put his biotin in. Shur gain doesn't seem to sell an equivalent to Equilizer. Is there a dealer in Fredericton?

Thanks!

Sorry forgot to add she is about 20.

I second "Straight oil (1 cup/day)added to Alfalfa or Alfalfa/Timothy cubes"
Oil def puts the weight on.
Hay pellets or hay cubes ( these cubes can be soaked in HOT water for 10 mins if you worry about choke.)

Hi there,

How are you making out with your horse?

I believe alfalfa cubes can do wonders for a horse...but be careful of them as they are so dry and some horses might have a hard time breaking them up (especially an older horse who doesn't chew as well). You can soak them to for a bit...its amazing how they puff up. CORN oil works well. Beet pulp (soaked of course)...great stuff! AND, let's not forget the wonderful GROUND FLAX!!!!!!!!!!! I can't tell you about amounts as I am no expert and i feed my older gelding (who i would call a hard keeper) a combination of Hi Fat Hi Fiber, Sweet Feed, Crimped Oats, ground flax, corn oil, apple cider vinegar, and Pur A Yeast Plus, beet pulp plus lots of hay.

I guess if you don't want to feed your horse lots of grain (and I don't blame you)...then maybe feed the alfalfa chunks, flax, a supplement of some kind, corn oil.

Remember, Apple Cider Vinegar (pure) has many many health benefits for horses (and people)...so 1/4 cup once a day for a healthy horse might do wonders also.

Let us know how you manage! : )