Well, the owner of my foster project (see end of thread on "weanling or wait" post) said "look how nice n fat she is!"  Well, she's actually just a bloated  rack of bones.  I'm in central IL and winter is coming on fast.  I don't have time to play with diets, I need to get her on something that's gonna work for her NOW.  Of course start her into it gradually... He had not grained this weanling, and she was very ill when he got her from a sale.  She underwent several rounds of antibiotics and vaccinations....but it has left her very depleted.  Her skin is flakey and full of crud.  I have never felt the spine in a horse's neck, but I can feel it on this one.  She's just gross! She has supposedly been wormed, but I'm afraid to do anything more like that to her for fear of overdoin' it and killing her!  What's best, throw her out on the grass (which is still pretty green) feed her grass hay, or more alfalfa mix type?  Should I supplement fat? Corn oil? Calf manna?  I don't really know what to do....I'm going to call purina nutrition line and my vet to see if they have any ideas.  When I had youngsters in the past I just gave them some Jr. feed and pasture and they were fine....however they didn't have near brushes with death and illness and they were routinely cared for.  She just can't consume enough to grow, heal, AND build weight.  I thought I heard somewhere that supplementing fat in a young horse's diet isn't advisable perhaps something with the calcium/phos ratio or absorbtion?....I don't see any other option here though... Ideas? Thoughts....and don't say "you made a mistake!"  She's already in a much better mindset today.  She actually pointed the correct end of herself at me when I approached.  I'm giving her just a tiny amount of omolene 200 in a lil bucket right now....I've been holding the bucket and petting all over her...then leaving.   Its working better than what was done previously....chase her around till she could be cornered and doctored. 

Amanda

You say you are afraid to worm her again, but you need to be sure she is not infested or all your feed, hay, and hard work will be for nothing.  Take a fecal sample to your vet and have it analysed, then speak with the vet about the proper worm routine.  You may need to dose her over a period of time, but many vets are recommending daily feed through wormers these days.  You add this as a supplement to the daily feed ration to get any parasite infestations under control.  You can't ignore this aspect of the youngster's health and expect her to develop properly.

Just an update on the little weanling....she's coming along nicely.I have used her weakened state to my advantage. She's really no trouble at all.  She figured out how to give to pressure, she leads now, she stands tied and comes up off pressure if she pulls back.  I can even get her to pick up her feet for me.  She's putting on some weight, I wormed her with some safegard the other day.  I've been seeing lots of dead worms coming out in the manure.  How long should I wait before worming her again?  I did a small dose (250lbs) because I didn't want to overdo and kill too many of the worms suddenly.  I've got her out on pasture, she has free choice grass hay, and I bought some equine junior.  She hates it. Evidently I should have read the bag more closely.  Its supposed to be a "complete feed" and it discourages you from giving hay to your growing horse.  Sorry, that sounds odd to me.  I'm adding some calf manna to it for extra calories and protein....just till she gets a little more plump.  I wish I could find the buckeye products around here...I have to drive about an hour just to get to a dealer...

Amanda