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Founded 1989

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PLAN OF CARE
For Starvation/Malnutrition

All horses upon arrival at DEFHR receive an entrance exam performed by our veterinary care technician who has been certified by our vet in their ability to take vitals and determine if there are any problems that would require the immediate intervention of a vet. If a problem is discovered, then a veterinarian is called immediately.

If not, the horse is made comfortable and the veterinarian is called and advised of its vitals and any problems that are observed and a date is scheduled for a vet call usually within the first week.

When the vet comes for the first visit the horse is given a complete examination, bloodwork is taken to rule out any major diseases or organ dysfunction. Once the veterinarian feels they are healthy enough they are given their initial shots (Rhino/flu, EWT (Eastern & Western Encephlomyelitis & Tetanus,) & PHF (Potomac Horse Fever). Weeks later they receive Rabies and the second PHF vaccination. Please check with you veterinarians as to what vaccinations are recommended in your area.

Another caution is that Rhino and flu may not be given until much later if the horse is very ill or their immune system is severely compromised. Your veterinarian is the best source for determining what your horse needs or should get.

The most important thing, I find, is to allow the new horse to become accustom to the routine at the barn and to lower its level of stress as much as possible in any way you can. A standard routine is very important to lessening stress.

The first day, following the entrance exam, we make them comfortable in their stall, give them fresh good hay, free choice (medium quality), 24 hours a day and fresh water. Feeding rich, high quality hay may be too much of a shock to their system. We feel that it took many months for the horses to get in this condition and the road back to good health should be traveled very slowly.

Grain:

After about three days to a week, when they have become accustomed to the routine, feed is introduced in small amounts, 1/2 lb, twice a day. Their feed is then gradually increased until they are eating the amount they need to increase their body weight. Keep in mind that horses are grazing animals so spreading their meals out throughout the day is far better for the horses.

Their meals should also never exceed 4-5 lbs per feeding and less for smaller horses. In older horses who cannot chew or process hay, six meals of complete feed with 3 lbs of food in each meal would be better than 6 lbs at 2 meals. (A good rule of thumb is that horses should typically consume approximately 2% of their body weight in feed, [hay or grain]. If they should weight 1000 lbs. then they should be eating 20 lbs of feed throughout the day eventually) Also remember that the 20 lbs of feed they are eating is typically better for them if the majority of it is hay.

If at any time their system seems to be having problems, as may happen at times, when they are not use to consuming feed on a regular basis. They may get diarrhea. If that should happen, we give the horses "Probios." Probios has probiotics in it that helps to create the right bugs in the digestive track to help the horses digest the grain that is probably new to their system. Grain is gradually increased to larger amounts, three times a day. In severe starvation cases, up to six times a day. Please keep in mind that each horse is different and must be treated accordingly.

We usually feed a complete feed to horses that are older and have poor teeth and we soak it to a mush so that even horses with few or bad teeth can eat with no problem. Babies under 1 year old, pregnant mares or growing are usually started on a 14% sweet feed and middle age horses are usually started on a 10% sweet feed with 10% fat. You should always talk to a veterinarian or a nutritionist at your local feed company to determine the best feed for your particular horse in its particular circumstance.

A tip for older or horses who have a hard time gaining weight or keeping weight on may be to add rice bran to their diet twice a day, starting gradually with 1/4 lb. Rice bran is 30% fat. Also keep in mind that some horse feed already contain Rice bran. Another additive we have used for horses that have no only lot all body fat but have lost muscle is to add soybean meal in their diet twice daily. Please use this ONLY under the advice of your veterinarian. Soybean meal has the highest concentration of protein available to help create muscle but too much can be very harmful.

Worming:

Always check with your veterinarian to determine how to worm your new horse. At Days End Farm, after a couple of weeks and the new arrival is doing well they are given panacure or safeguard wormers (fenbendazole) for five days in a row, an amount based on their body weight.

Always keep an eye out for any incidences of colic as a result of the worming treatment. If it is going to occur, which I have found is very rare, it will usually happen within 16 to 18 hours of the worming.

This beginning program I have found to be very safe and helps to take care of the insistent strongyles. Three weeks after that Panacure/Safeguard program is completed, they are given strongid wormer (pyrantel pamoate), again based on their body weight. Three weeks later they may be given Equimectrin. Following that, worming is done every 6 - 8 weeks, alternating between Strongid paste, Zymectrin Gold (or other Ivermectin/praziquantelwormers) and Quest(moxidectin). In the fall and spring, after first and last freeze, horses are given double doses of strongid paste (pyrantel pamoate).

Exercise:

Despite the fact that you new horse looks as if exercise is the farthest thing from his mind, it is very important to his health and welfare. Many times in the beginning it may only mean a short walk around a small area or turn out in a small field daily. Exercise is then gradually increased as they can tolerate it to help build muscle and fitness as you increase their weight. Please check with your veterinarian to determine an exercise regime for your horse.