Hi Andrea Gordan,

In the horses older years, sometimes they naturally begin to get a swayed back and ribs starting show so maybe your horse is starting to take on that form that old horses do. I also agree with sdeveraux in making sure your horses teeth are done and maybe it would be worth the ringing the Veteran Horse Society. Maybe go into your local feed produce or the supplier of where you get your feed from and explain to them that your horse is losing weight. They would probably be one of the best people to talk to when it comes to the variety of feeds. They could suggest another feed or advice on increasing your horses diet only if necessary. On personal experience, I look after a horse who turned twenty this year, and he started lsing weight over winter, so instead of changing a diet or increasing feed we put a small dollop of mollasses in his bin beside his feed. He loved it and licked it up straight away. Within a week or two he was back to normal and even slightly over what he originally was. Mollasses is also useful if you have a supplement you are trying to feed your horse but he won't take it- just stir it into the molasses and he'll most likely not even notice!

Oh, on one last note, along with the teeth, maybe your horse could have worms. Remember that if you use the same brand of wormer all the time the worms can become resistant to the worming paste/powder/pellets you are feeding your horse.

Hope I helped and good luck :)

Have you called the Veteran Horse Society. They give really good advice over the phone here are the details:-

Tel: 01239 881300

Our offices are open Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm

They really helped me with my old mare., Just a thought, have you had her teeth done ? Good luck. xx