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I also wouldnÂ’t be too worried about the by-products. I am taking a nutrition class at a large university (and one of the best animal science programs in the US) and my professor emphasized that byproducts are not necessarily bad, it is a marketing strategy for feeds without byproducts to create a stigma about them. However, I would make sure he is on a high fat, high protein feed, and if possible try switching to an alfalfa mix hay (from a reputable producer, blister beetles are a real issue with alfalfa hay). It may seem counter intuitive too, but if you are not already adequate, slow exercise for your old man can build muscle and stimulate his metabolic and GI tract to encourage him to eat and absorb more nutrients. As for the young guy, I would try and keep him on the same thing, like they say if it ainÂ’t broke donÂ’t fix it. |
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Rafter K Ranch said:
I also wouldn’t be too worried about the by-products. I am taking a nutrition class at a large university (and one of the best animal science programs in the US) and my professor emphasized that byproducts are not necessarily bad, it is a marketing strategy for feeds without byproducts to create a stigma about them. However, I would make sure he is on a high fat, high protein feed, and if possible try switching to an alfalfa mix hay (from a reputable producer, blister beetles are a real issue with alfalfa hay). It may seem counter intuitive too, but if you are not already adequate, slow exercise for your old man can build muscle and stimulate his metabolic and GI tract to encourage him to eat and absorb more nutrients. As for the young guy, I would try and keep him on the same thing, like they say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Thank you for the advice! He is on a senior feed that is 4% crude fat, 19.5% crude fiber, and 14% crude protein. Plus 8 oz a day of dry fat. Going to start light work again as soon as it is dry enough- he gets unbearably insane when he isn't worked. I feed as much burmuda hay as he wants, as well as pretty much as much soaked alfalfa cubes as he wants. |
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You might try adding oil (corn, vegetable, etc) to their feed. I put about a cup on all of my boys' feed, for some extra calories. Plus it's good for their coats! :P We also add rice bran to our feed; the stuff we get is a 12/12/12% protein/fat/fiber pellets, and it seems to help put the weight on them. You might consider calling a rep from the feed company you use now, and a rep from the one you're considering switching to, and ask whatever questions you have. Usually you'll be able to find someone who works there that actually has a horse on the feed, and can tell you how well it works for them. Good luck on your feed search! <3 Have a nice day, and stay dry. |
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Time for a random update! I went and met with my animal science prof, who actually has a degree in Equine Nutrition. Her two horses and my two horses are about the same age. As per her advice and research, as of today, I will be switching my guys to the following:
Bid (25 yo Appy/TB cross, hard keeper, skinny, has hay belly) -9 quarts of Nutrena Safe Choice Senior grain a day - 1 quart or so of Empower or Renew Gold rice bran supplement a day -3 to 6 quarts of alfalfa pellets a day -2 tbsp of corn oil a day -1 tbsp of Red Cell iron supplement a day -free choice bermuda hay
Mateo (yearling QH thing, easy keeper, growing like a weed) -6 quarts of Nutrena Mare and Foal grain a day -some alfalfa pellets to make him happy/out of pity -free choice bermuda hay
After a month or two I will post an update with pics :) Hope this helps anyone else who is struggling with skinny ponies <3 |
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You can try dumor equistages. That's what I use since I have a senior mare and yearling colt. I also feed rice bran powder to help with weight. Another good one is calfmanna. Edited at December 4, 2018 09:04 PM by Whipperwill Estate |
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I swear by full fay soy meal for putting weight on horses. It can make some horses skitso though. |
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Whipperwill Estate said:
You can try dumor equistages. That's what I use since I have a senior mare and yearling colt. I also feed rice bran powder to help with weight. Another good one is calfmanna.
I tried the DuMor Equistages with the older guy. He didn't do well on it. And I'm keeping the baby on mare and foal feed until he's 2. The new Empower supplement I'm trying is rice bran and soy meal pellets.
Summer said:
I swear by full fay soy meal for putting weight on horses. It can make some horses skitso though.
I have heard of that. I've heard mixed reviews. There is soy meal in the new supplement I'm trying. It costs about the same as just plain soy meal. |
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Etoile Noir Elites said:
Whipperwill Estate said:
You can try dumor equistages. That's what I use since I have a senior mare and yearling colt. I also feed rice bran powder to help with weight. Another good one is calfmanna.
I tried the DuMor Equistages with the older guy. He didn't do well on it. And I'm keeping the baby on mare and foal feed until he's 2. The new Empower supplement I'm trying is rice bran and soy meal pellets.
Summer said:
I swear by full fay soy meal for putting weight on horses. It can make some horses skitso though.
I have heard of that. I've heard mixed reviews. There is soy meal in the new supplement I'm trying. It costs about the same as just plain soy meal.
Additionally, both my professor, who has her degree in Equine Nutrition, and I have done extensive research into which grain has the most bang for the buck. Not only, out of the options available to me that I trust, do the Nutrena SafeChoice feeds have the most nutritional value, but they cost the least per day if you feed as directed. The Empower supplement is a little pricier but has the highest fat content of any weight gain/boost supplement I can get, along with quite a bit of protein and calcium and a decent amount of fiber. |
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Honestly, i never understand why people feed mixed foods to their horses.
My horses get plain Oats and sometimes beetroot chips as a addition in winter including their hay ofcorse. In summer they get Beetroots and Sugar Beet tossed around their fields so they have something to look for.
I have been feeding my horses that for the past 20 years even my broodmares and with no issues atall, that was even fed to the show horses (Showjumping and Dressage) back in the day at the stable i rode. Neither do i feed any suppliments apart some homeopathic things when needed. Most of the stuff you find in the mixed foods they wouldnt even have or find in the wild. But then again my Horses are outside 24 hours in summer and in winter they only inside for extra feedings. My horses are only inside if they ill or about to birth.
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I agree with Rosa. I work in a small riding school right now, we have 11 horses of our own and 7 boarded. Our horses only get hay and barley, and they healty and fit. The oldest one is 26 and still working. On the other side one boarded gelding get senior musli and oils and whatever still four leg lame, an other gelding get vitamins, biotin powder, herb mix and it's a wonder he doesn't collapse on his paddock. As I see suppliments only good for the owner not the horse. |
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Showers Off and On
