Needing a Pick-Me-Up

Is my mare’s lack of energy due to the low weight? What are the other possible causes?
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Q. I have a 20-year-old Quarter Horse, and I have had trouble putting weight on her for the past few years. I have had her teeth done and a veterinarian has ruled out any major issues, such as cancer, system shutdown, etc. She has been vaccinated against the usual threats. Her eyes are still bright, but she has no energy. She also sleeps a lot. When I take her for a ride, she actually stops and goes to sleep. I have been supplementing her diet with a senior feed that helps maintain her weight, but it does not help her gain or give her any more energy. She also gets oats and good-quality hay, along with pasture in the summer.

Is her lack of energy due to the low weight? What are the other possible causes? Is there something else I can feed her?

Cindy, via e-mail


A. Cases of weight loss and lack of energy can be among the most frustrating to deal with because there can be so many causes. Since your veterinarian has ruled out major health issues and there aren’t any other obvious problems, you’re going to have to work with him or her to do some sleuthing, and perhaps proceed with a bit of trial and error

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Written by:

David Ramey

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