AboutDorothy Morris-Robinson Expertise I have been training and rehabilitating horses, and training riders for combined training for over 40 years, in Virginia and California. This includes dressage, cross country obstacles and show jumping. Years ago I earned my colors with the Blue Ridge Hunt Club in VA. I currently train and teach at my ranch in Kennewick, WA. I can answer certain questions about starting young horses in English riding: dressage, jumping, cross country obstacles and basic equitation. I can help with rehabilitation of spoiled or difficult horses; however, many problems require sustained riding instruction/training and I cannot do this online. Some issues need to be observed to come to a correct diagnosis. If your problem is of this type, please find a qualified instructor/trainer. I cannot give riding lessons via email.
Experience Experience in the area: Over 40 years of English riding experience, including Fox Hunting in Virginia, training young horses for hunting and/or eventing. Coached Desiree Smith from her beginning at Training Level Combined tests through her competition at two Junior International competition Three Day Events. She rode my horse that I also started and trained her to ride. This combination competed in the World Championship Three Day in Lexington, KY in 1978. I trained another horse (TB) through 3rd Level Dressage and jumping. He eventually competed at Advanced level Three Day. I recently re-trained a mare that came to me as "unhandleable" after having had 5 owners in less than 18 months. She is now one of the sweetest tempered mares I have ever owned and given us a handsome, Premium colt by Ideal. I have reschooled several horses with difficulties ranging from running away to running backward, to not allowing a bridle to be put on, to kicking out at the farrier, being "too much on the muscle over jumps", etc
Organizations National Society Daughters of the Revolution (DAR): USDF
Publications Four novels (I am also a novelist)
Education/Credentials Some college
Awards and Honors Who's Who of American Women, Who'w Who in America, Past Board of Directors FDIC-NACM
Question Hi Dorothy,
I have currently accepted the responsibility of taking care of a very skinny abandoned thoroughbred. She is anywhere from 15-17 years old. This horse has been kept in a small arena for at least 8 months with another horse when her owner just stopped showing up and paying board. For some reason she was the one neglected while the other horse is healthy. She is very sound but I am sure she cannot be ridden. I was wondering what supplements and grains would be best to help her gain weight. She desperately needs to. All her ribs are visible and her hindquarters are sunken in. Her back bone is also very visible. So again, if you have any suggestions on supplement products or weight-gaining plans, I would very much appreciate your input.
Answer Hello Alex,
Of course I can. Four weeks ago I brought home a starving Thoroughbred. He is young and a gelding, but the method is the same.
First of all she will need to be on pasture grass or be given good quality grass hay. Feed her all she can eat. Not alfalfa now. Too rich. Then get beet pulp pellets and give it to her every morning and evening. This MUST be soaked before feeding, so begin the evening meal in the am by soaking, and the morning meal in the evening by soaking. A good all around vitamin supplement will be good for her too. A good dollop of corn oil on the beet pulp will help add weight.
Depending in what part of the country you are, you may need to check blood for selenium deficiency and the mare may need an iron tonic. You should see if her teeth need to be floated so she can digest the hay. Make sure she has plenty of clean water to drink. Often the skinny is as much due to dehydration as anything else.
This is the program I have the gelding on and after one month I can hardly see his ribs and the wither does not stick up and fan the wind. His hips are rounding and he is beginning to run around the pasture. He is on grass all day and in at night for his feedings and hay.
I am sure this will work for the mare, unless she has another ailment that we don't know about.
