How to Safely Refeed the Malnourished Horse

best but a weight tape can also be used. Equine weight tapes are available at most stores that supply equine feed. When weight taping an emaciated horse dont be surprised if the tape suggests that the horse is heavier than expected. Weight tapes are best used for horses that are in average body condition and are not always accurate for the emaciated horse.
Often starved horses are dehydrated and will need prompt attention to water intake. If the horse is clearly dehydrated but will not readily drink adequate water discuss options for rehydration with your veterinarian.
What is Refeeding Syndrome?
Refeeding syndrome is the term used to describe a metabolic condition affecting horses that are reintroduced to highnutrient feeds too quickly after enduring starvation for extended periods of time. Starved horses that have lost in excess of 50 percent of their normal body weight are in acute danger of suffering from refeeding syndrome if they are not reintroduced to feed very slowly and carefully.
Offering a starving horse unlimited quantities of high quality feed is tempting but not advisable. When a starving horse is offered large amounts of feed the digestible carbohydrates are readily broken down to glucose in the stomach and small intestine. When absorbed into the blood stream glucose initiates a cascade of metabolic responses that the starved horse is unable to adequately regulate. The outcome is frequently a severe disturbance in the electrolyte balance of the horse resulting in loss of muscle function and strength erratic heart rate shock and frequently death.
Starved horses can also have disrupted populations of hind gut microbial populations. Introducing large amounts of readily fermentable carbohydrates into this compromised environment can also have catastrophic health effects for the starved horse.
What Should the Horse be Fed?
The safest and most effective way to initiate the safe refeeding of the malnourished horse is to offer it multiple small feeds per day of a good quality alfalfa or grassalfalfa mix hay. Alfalfa hay delivers a safe source of protein and hind gutfriendly fibre for energy. The goal should be to offer meals of about one to oneandahalf pounds of hay at intervals of three to four hours for the first few days. Avoid concentrates like grain initially. Starved horses often have compromised endocrine function and so may not cope well with the blood glucose and insulin swings generated by starch and sugar. Dont worry about including mineral supplements until after at