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
My name is Corey and I am having trouble keeping weight on my 9 yr. old OTTB mare. She isn't emaciated or anything but just a little ribby. She has always been on the thin side and easily loses weight in extreme heat or extreme cold.
At the beginning of the Summer we had a week of 100* degree weather and she lost a lot of weight and since then we have had trouble putting it back on.
Right now she is eating 1/2 scoop of Safe Choice Feed and 1/2 Senior Feed. She gets smartflex maintenance joint supplement, Farriers Formula, and Bugcheck in the AM as well. We also have just started her on 1/2 a scoop of (soaked) beet pulp in the evenings and may increase it with time. She lives out doors 24/7 in a plentiful field but also has hay available all the time.
Her current training is consisting of 2 days of flat work, 2 days of jumping work (still very green), and lunging (w/ side reins) once a week an going out on the trails once a week.
If you have any more ideas on ways to bump up her weight without making her hot just let me know. : )
Thanks,
Corey
Answer Hi Corey, I'm not familiar with the grain you're feeding, however I would suggest any grain that is high in fat. At least 10% fat, Nutrena has a new feed out that is 12% fat that I've not fed but sounds great for hard to keep horses as it's low in protein also. I would up the grain intake, as much as it sounds like she's getting worked I would feed her up to 2 scoops (6 quarts) twice a day of the high fat grain. Being that she's out all day on good pasture you will be safe having her eat that much grain. You may also add rice bran or corn oil to her daily grain as it's a good source of fat also. You can but weight gain supplements in a feed store or catalog, I've not fed them but you could try it. Keep the beet pulp, I would up it, however, to 1/2 scoop twice a day. Keep the protein low on the grain so that she doesn't get hot with all that you're feeding. Good luck, Jessica
