Sam - pics

The below pictures were taking in September. I was so pleased with how well he was putting on weight just on 24/7 access to pasture. I was also graining him with soaked mash but the access to grass was what really started packing on the weight. Granted he could still gain a few pounds in this picture but I'm afraid it's also age playing into account.

In October Sam had an attack of ulcers along with a very bad horse cold. Unfortunately during that time, Sam lost a LOT of weight. He actually looked worse in October than when I first brought him home. I don't believe Sam will ever be an easy keeper.

I've since started Sam on a different grain diet. Instead of getting soaked sweet feed, I've moved him over to what Bob was on. At first Sam didn't like beet pulp but I think after snitching it from Bob he's acquired a taste for it. I know have Sam on 21 cups of soaked beet pulp with two scoops of soaked senior. Along with that I have him on 9-10 cups of soaked alfalfa pellets and if time permits I give him a sliver of alfalfa.

Sam has picked up weight on that concoction of grain. He's still too thin for my liking. I have him blanketed 24/7 but he's in Bob's old blanket that's 6 inches too big for him. I think for Christmas I'll order him a different blanket and use Bob's blanket as a second layer on those really cold days that we'll get in January and February.

I really hope that by late spring I'll have Sam looking like these pictures again. He's definately got his appetite back and he's always ready for his grain mash and alfalfa. Good ol' Sam. He really is a sweetheart.