Weight gain for a healthy 3 year old

[HollBear]

Hi,
I have a great young horse that came to me on the skinny side. He was just needing some good TLC. He's going to be my future show hunter.
So, I'm feeding him like crazy.
He's getting 6 lbs./day (2 full scoops 2xday) of Pennfield's Fibergize; lots of great turn out; lots of good hay and an nice Omega 3 supplement. His teeth have been done and he's healthy.
Is there anything I'm missing or recommended on putting weight on him? Of course, I don't want to do anything to make him hot.
I know its a slow and steady process.
What are some of your successes?

[Tee]

I've had great luck with Cool Calories. My poor 3 year old couldn't eat any more hay or grain (and wasn't putting on weight), so I added this and it made a huge difference.

[alteringwego]

Add beet pulp and rice bran. Feed hay free choice and add alfalfa a couple times a day. And as much good grass and turnout as he'll take. Then just a little time.

[Kareen]

Why do you want him to gain weight when he's only going to be your future show hunter? From the medical point of view I'd be grateful for any month he's in lean shape. You're not going to show him before he's a 4yo are you?
It shouldn't take more than 2-3 months to 'beefcake him up' once his show outings approach. He'll probably be overweight for most of the rest of his life anyways if he's required to keep on show condition. I would most definitely not want him to start putting on weight a day too soon if you have a longterm plan for him :) Just my two cts.

[horseowner40]

My girl is 3 years old and was starved when I got her last year, I put her on 5 lbs a day of sweet feed plus weight builder 2 scoops a day and 1/4 cup of corn oil 2 times a day and all the the pasture grass and a 1500 lb round bale of grass hay for her only, it takes her 3 months to eat it the round bale. She has gained weight but I think she has along way to go after recovering from an illness setback, but in a year's time she has gained 500 lbs!:)

[JB]

How lean is he?

Is he gaining on the current diet? If so, leave it be. You just don't want fast weight on.

Is 6lb at least what's recommended on the bag? If so, then you're fine from a nutritional standpoint, and I'd imagine that's the case.

3yos should be on the lean side.

Leave him be for now, unless he's TOO thin and isn't gaining on this diet. If that's the case, add some alfalfa pellets to his meals.

Just don't jump to thinks like Weight Builder and those other "weight gain" supplements, when all you really need is just more of regular feeds.

[HollBear]

Thanks everyone. I should have noted he was underweight even for a youngster. I think my biggest question was with all that I'm feeding him should I or is it good to add a hay cube (alfalfa)?. I think he is definately putting on slow steady weight - without a doubt, and I'm trying to keep it that way. I've just never dealth with hay cubes before and I don't know enough good or bad about them.

[JB]

If he's putting on weight, then as long as he's getting enough nutrition ( sounds like he is) then I'd let him continue this way for several more weeks...unless the weight gain is just TOO slow.

Are you using a weight tape to gauge the gain? How much is he gaining a week or every 2 weeks?

Hay cubes are great - no reason not to feed them. Hay pellets are consumed more quickly, so you can get more calories in each day.

You're "fighting" weight gain and growing, so you aren't likely to see fast weight gain at this moment. IMHO if he's gaining, looks and acts healthy, and you're making sure you aren't feeding parasites, then I'd blanket him liberally to not "waste" calories on keeping warm, and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised :)

[JohnDeere]

BTDT got the T with a 3 y/o.

If hes been pretty starved all along he will grow to catch up (he wont but some delayed growth will happen). Mine is still growing at nearly 5 and he still needs lots of extra CC (great place, Smartpak.) to put on weight. So if hes actually gaining keep it up.

Good luck. Take pics. Its fun to look at them over time look better & better.