Question

I have a Thoroughbred jumper that is ridden about an hour each day, six days a week. The mare is fed primarily Chinese wild rye with some alfalfa (lucerne) hay added. She is also fed 4 to 4.5 kg (9 to 10 lb) of a feed, which is primarily composed of oat, corn, wheat bran, and sugar beet. She is also fed additional soaked beet pulp pellets. The mare has been dewormed recently, and her teeth are tended to. No matter how much I feed her, she cleans her trough, but she is still thin and lacks a strong topline. Help, please.

Answer

Starting with the forage, I would increase the amount of alfalfa (lucerne) the mare receives, perhaps even doubling the amount she’s given currently. It has more energy than the wild rye.

I would recommend a high-quality feed that contains premium oats, steam-flaked corn, and high-quality protein. In addition to quality, boost quantity a bit to 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) three times a day. Continue adding the beet pulp at 200 g (about 0.5 lb) in each meal. (This weight of 200 g is prior to soaking.) One-third cup of vegetable oil will also add calories to her diet.

Work with your veterinarian to make sure the mare is on the best deworming protocol. Some horses have stubborn parasite burdens that require aggressive treatment until they can be cleared, at which time they can be placed on a maintenance deworming regimen.

Some Thoroughbreds are poor doers and struggle to maintain condition, or must be fed large meals to keep appropriate weight. If your mare gains weight upon following these recommendations, review of her diet may be in order when she’s at optimal condition.