They have new low carb and high fiber feeds.

Protein slows weight gain.  Carbs speed it up but you need just the right kind of carbs to attain a full finished look on your halter horses.  Have you tried peanut oil and some weight gainer supplements.  Oil works well for me and it will not make your horse hot because it burns "low and slow" also if you have your horse on alfalfa hay take him off.  Alfalfa while good for hair coat and lean muscle is not good for adding additional layers of fat.  Once you have them fat, then add small amounts of alfalfa and watch their unlines and hair coat burn off like magic!

Corn (whole or crimped) is also good for adding weight.

I added weight to my "hot" Arab by adding beet pulp and oil to his feed 2 times per day.  I soaked 1 lb of beet pulp, 1 lb of whole oats and 1 lb of senior feed plus 1 cup of oil at least 6 hours,  and fed that to him for breakfast and dinner.  Within a month I noticed a positive difference.  In 2 months he was a great weight and extremely sleek and shiny.  Everybody commented on how he looked.  I also give 10-11 lbs of good hay 2 times per day with the grain mixture.

Thanks for the answer about the oil and beet pulp....I am going to try that along with the Blue Seal Demand that a friend of mine recommended.  I have never used beet pulp before.... when you mix it with water to soak it how wet/sloppy is it when you end up feeding it to the horse?  I don't know if Maverick will eat a sloppy dinner.  Or should I just soak the beet pulp separate and pour it on top?  Also I have spoken to my vet and he admitted that he was not very knowledgable about horse nutrition, he is a large animal vet and most of his practice consisted of farmers with cattle (we are very rural here), the nearest other lg animal vet is 50 miles away.  At least he was honest with me about his knowledge and didn't try to BS me.  Anyway I appreciate everyone's advice. 

"I give him free feed to Nutrena Senior"

What do you mean by free feed?  Is that similar to using the self feeders for cats and dogs?  I was just wondering because my older mare is on the nutrena senior and she will eat part of her feed and come back for the rest later so I was thinking of raising the amount I give her so she can browse all day. 

He is also a senior horse. I give him free feed to Nutrena Senior

Krys, what do you mean by free feed?  Free acess to eat what he wants?  I was thinking of doing that for my older mare since she kind of browses on her feed.  She doesn't chow down like the rest do at feeding time.

When I feed beet pulp, I usually mix 1 lb whole oats, 1 lb senior feed, 1 lb beet pulp and 1 cup of oil in a feed bucket, add water until it is about 3-4 inches over the top of the feed, let it soak for hours, mix and feed.  My horse is picky, but seems to eat this mixture up just fine.  But, some horses just don't like beet pulp... you can add chopped carrots or applesauce to sweeten the deal if you need to.  I used applesauce when I had to add medicine to his feed, soaking it with the beet pulp mixture, then adding applesauce at the end.  Worked like a charm. 

Beth,. a black, Bay Shah grandson? Wow. ;) Fine boned by nature. I hope you're not trying to compete against those Impressive bred monsters. I've never had a hard keeper and dont like them bulked up since I dont show halter but I know what you're trying to do.

Most people use Nuetrena XTN. I think their horses end up looking like cows but that's the look they like. I use Nutrena SafeChoice with 14% Triple Crown w/ Rice Bran Performance TEXTURED. (3/4 Safechoice, 1/4 sweetfeed.) The 14% sweet feed will make them hotter. The Safechoice has much less sugar so this sort of splits the difference. I also add 2 scoops of the shredded beet pulp (soak for at least 15 minutes before you feed it to them) and 1/4 cup vegetable oil (make sure there's no canola in it). I wish I could be more helpful but you might try asking a forum of barrel racers and/or QH halter people. It's usually the Impressive gene that gives them that look. It's a specific look (thick necks) and I know most of them use the XTN. I hate it but that's what they're looking for.

Also, it probably wouldnt hurt to get a fecal count. He might have a tape (although I doubt it). I use Equimax 2x  a year just in case.

I wish I could be more helpful but I avoid that look like the plague. If I showed halter of course I'd be asking the same questions. Also you might try going down to a 12% Nutrena feed and still top it off with the triple crown so they still keep their arab sleekness and sheen. (I used to use Blue Seal as a kid! I didnt know they still make it. Try the Nutrena, it's really excellent and talk to your feed store guy. What do they recommend?)

Also, check out this link, go to the knowledge Center and "What do I feed?" Talk that test! See what they recommend. http://www.nutrenaworld.com/PageTemplates/HorsePortal.aspx

I wish I could be more helpful.

Anne

Oh wow, I've been in Georgia too long.  Bey Shah was the great halter champion. http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/bey+shah Beth, take this picture of him to a good feed guy. Tell him/her this is the look you are going for. If you dont have one I'll take it to mine. He would look great on Omelene 200 or 300 + Beet pulp + vegetable oil. (I also use Equine Nutrimix but not for weight gain) but he would probably get very hot. They look the best on Omelene, imo, but the sugar is just too much.

By the way, it would help if you had a picture of your guy. That way we could tell what we're starting with.

As I said, I dont do halter showing just hunter/jumper and it is almost ALL AQHA down here. I will ask a friend of mine who specializes in SE, she would know although I believe she feeds Omelene. (This is both art and science. Be patient. It can get really complicated these days to find the right feed. I sorta miss the old Blue Seal days!)

Hello All...

Thanks for everyone's input!  I have started Maverick on Nutrena Safe Choice and beet pulp and will start to increase his oil.  Yes....I am starting him gradually.  He did not like the beet pulp the first day..... he actually "snorted" at the bucket after the first mouthfull....it was pretty funny.  His first feeding I mixed in about 2 cups of soaked beet pulp, with a chopped up apple and stirred it into his regular ration (minus the volumn of the apple & beetpulp).  Is this a good amount to start with and how much "wet" beet pulp per feeding should I be aiming for?  The horse weighs 900 lbs and is 15.2 h.  Thanks so much.