About Jessica Hughes Expertise I can answer diet and nutrition questions regarding performance, breeding/raising young horses, showing, and pleasure riding needs. I can answer questions regarding riding and training problems or advice. I can answer questions regarding equine behavior problems. I can answer questions regarding show horses, how to groom the english or western horse for the horse show arena. I can answer any general question regarding horses.
Experience My expertise includes owning and running a successful show and boarding facility. I have done much research on the nutritional needs of all different types of horses and how their digestive system works and how to keep that healthy. I have shown and trained horses for cutting, western pleasure, halter, breed show all around, and currently hunter/jumpers on the hunter curcuit. I have also raised babies and bred my own mares for the last 5 years specializing in thoroughbreds, warmbloods, and welsh ponies. I also give lessons to all types of riders. I evented for 3 years.
Organizations I currently belong to Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association and American Quarter Horse Association.
Education/Credentials I apprenticed under Mark Poovey an accomplished cutting horse trainer for 4 years where I was assistant trainer and barn manager. I have ridden under and participated in many clinics under such people as George Morris and Daniel Geitner. I have also worked as a vet tech at a local veterinarian. I attended Isothermal Community College where I attained my business degree.
Awards and Honors I was #8 in the nation in 1994 with the American Paint Horse Association at the end of that year in the event of Working Hunter 18 & Under. I was also 4th at the AQHA World Show in 1994 in the event of Hunter Under Saddle Youth Team Tournament. I won many year end awards with the APHA during that year. I also won the Raleigh Cutting Horse Futuritiy in the youth division in 1994. I was leader of a local 4-H group for many years.
Past/Present Clients Hope Bleeker, Freda Jessen, Judy Scott, Sharon Scruggs, Elizabeth White, Jackie Gardinier, Laura Bailey, Kevin Hamby, Jane Juanaco,
Anne Schager, Diane Randolph
Question I Jessica,
One of my barrel horses is an Arab and older about 21. He is an awesome horse when you get him in an area, there is not stopping him! His only problem is his weight. Yes, I realize that he is an Arab and 21 but still. Right know I give him cracked corn, oats, and senior feed. But nothing seems to be happening... He was just wormed April 12 (and gets wormed every 8 weeks) Also, his teeth were looked at and floated last fall. What do you think I would feed him or do differently?
Thanks so much,
Gracie
Answer Hi Gracie, I would mix his senior feed with a high fat feed. Southern States makes a couple of feeds that is 10% fat. One being Legends Equitech, and one being Legends Complete. For an older horse I would recommend the Complete as it has more in it nutritionally than the equitech. I'm sure all feed brands make something similar that is just a high fat feed so whatever you can find that is 10% fat would be fine. You may want to totally switch over to the high fat buy I would start by mixing it with the senior first. I would leave the cracked corn out as it doesn't have much nutritional value, and leave the oats out also if your mixing in the high fat feed. If you switch totally over to the high fat, I would supplement him with a vitamin supplement since that feed is not formulated for a senior horse. I would also add rice bran and/or corn oil as these are great sources of fat. Rice bran-1-2 cups per feeding mixed with grain, corn oil-1 cup per feeding over feed. You may also try feeding him soaked beet pulp, this helps to fill their stomach, it's a good source of fiber. I would feed 2-3 quarts of beet pulp per feeding. Also be sure you are feeding free choice, or a large amount, of quality hay. I would suggest something higher in protein such as alfalfa, timothy and orchard grass is good too. You could also feed him soaked alfalfa cubes. If he's a good hay eater, he should gain quite a bit of weight just from the quality and quantity of hay fed. You should always feed more hay than grain as a horses digestive system is designed to break down roughage more than grain. If he still doesn't gain weight after all of that then you may want to have your vet look at him, he may have an ulcer. There are medications for that but you have to get that diagnosed first. Many horses who have done a lot of showing or have had to live in a stall most of their lives will have ulcers when they are older which will cause them to have trouble keeping their weight on. Hope this helps, good luck! Jessica
