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feeds and feeding...
Chanda:
Couldn't find a previous topic, but I know feed has been discussed, but perhaps I've seen it in different threads and just not all in one place.
I've been struggling with feeds, largely due to where I live and the choices available to me.
I've fed Purina in the past, never really cared for it. Fed Nutrena didn't really care for it (and tried the new Safe Choice Special Care, it didn't go over well with my crew and a sensitive mare got footy on it). I've fed Progressive Nutrition, love it til it was priced out of my budget. Fed Woody's, it's a regional feed, loved the senior product, it became unavailable locally (company can be difficult to work with, but good product, just no longer available locally, and I don't want to ship and store a ton, which they do ship to individuals, but it's by the ton). I've tried feeding oats with vit/min mix, my toplines went to hell. I fed Running Horse Trail Mix for about 2 years around 2012 (when mares were pregnant the first time, they did well), it became unavailable locally and not easy to get since I had to make a special trip to a different town for it. I've been feeding Equis feeds, a regional brand, for the last couple years; it's ok, but some aren't doing as well on it and the girls didn't hold up as well nursing as they did previously. Just found out a couple weeks ago, that WRS has picked up the Running Horse brand; they are located down in Billings (6 hours from here), but deliver monthly to our area, so I'm going to try it again and at least put the foals on the mare/foal formula, Che` on their senior, and try the Trail Mix again on the mares. The geldings on going to stay on the Equis, as will Topper; as it's available local and I can just buy what I need, when I need it. [Che` might go back to their senior, but will give the Running Horse senior a good try and see how he does on it; he's gotten picky and not looking as good on the Equis as I think he should. If it doesn't work out, he can go back on the equis senior.]
I don't remember so many trials and tribulations feeding the saddle horses, but sure have had a run with feeding the minis. [Perhaps it's partially the lack of choices around here, perhaps I just read too much here on the internet and need to get a life, instead of dwelling here wondering if I'm doing it right now. Who knows, but perhaps going back to the Running Horse will be the ticket.]
They definitely don't do well with just our hay, they need more than it provides, that's for darn sure.
Not consistently, but you can also throw in some hay pellets and beet pulp in the mix.
Guess that's all for now.
dcwolcott:
I've always used Purina. I fed their Omolene 300 which is their mare/foal feed for the third trimester for the mares and for 1 year for the youngsters, before changing the young horses to Purina Equine Junior. I also used their Purina Equine Junior for weight gain on any adult that wasn't really a senior, if their weight dropped. I liked their Senior Feed for my old retirees, as it was easy to digest. I also used to use their Ultium on my stallions during breeding season, as most of mine were fence runners or pacers and would lose their toplines if they weren't pastured with a lady. And with 15 stallions here, I didn't use each stallion each year, so had to keep the pacers satisfied in their bachelor herd.
I also used Purina Free Balance 12:12 on pregnant mares, as it contains a VERY high selenium content, which is so critical for healthy foals, and I live in a region with NO natural selenium in the ground.
All horses were fed pure alfalfa hay, and when that wasn't available I fed alfalfa cubes or pellets. So, they were always getting that boost of protein.
Never had much luck with beet pulp. Mine hated it, but some people absolutely swear by it. With mine, they would actually walk away from the food, and it would "rot" in the Florida sun, and stink. Then, I'd have horses that would drop weight rather than eat it with their food, and they'd try and live just on the alfalfa. Never worked, so I just ditched it.
Be interested to see what others used. I tried a Purina "generic" that had a 6% fat content with a 12-14% protein content, and that worked, but then my Purina store discontinued it, so went back to the expensive "name" feeds they carried. I'm in such a small town, there wasn't much to choose from, just the Purina store and TSC.
Chanda:
--- Quote from: dcwolcott on November 09, 2016, 05:20:19 PM --- I'm in such a small town, there wasn't much to choose from, just the Purina store and TSC.
--- End quote ---
That's better than my selection. I'd love it if I had a local TSC; but my "local" TSC is 150 miles one-way. I tried their Dumor alfalfa pellets last time I made a trip, and Che` really likes them (alfalfa is a good appetite booster for him, so try to "save" it for when he's being picky, since I can't get good pellets locally).
[I can get alfalfa dehy from the elevator, it's their brand alfalfa pellets. Che` does not like it; but everyone else eats them just fine. Che` likes the Dumor pellets from TSC, Standlee pellets, and a regional brand (still 4 hours from here to get them). Good thing he doesn't each much of them, so I can buy a few bags when I go somewhere and hoard them for when I need htem.]
Ryan:
Not sure Ill be much help to you Chanda being so far away, but I very much agree with you , much easier to feed the biggies than the little ones.
My little ones Live on good quality "grass and clover " hay and I also mix in alfalfa hay during winter months. I only hard feed my little ones over a short period during the coldest months. It doesnt snow here , so there is always some pick available on top of the hay/grain they get. They always have access to a mineral block. I have to be very careful in regards to the change in weather here and it often plays a part in what Im feeding. When the sun appears after winter here , the sugar content goes through the roof in the grass , so I have to limit pasture grazing intake to a minimum for a few months until it starts to die off, especially with my laminitic mare.
During the very short period over winter that my little ones are fed grain , I give them a small mixture of alfalfa chaff , Xtra Cool ( no sugar) and a small bran mash is mixed in as a treat every so often.
I try to steer clear of apples and carrots , I find that Pumpkin is alot lower in sugar and puts an amazing "Shine" on their coats.
Chanda:
Ryan,
Thanks.
Not really looking for answers, as much as discussion. It's good to know others have found the biggies easier to feed.
Do you just give them pumpkin rind and all? Or just the fleshy part? Now is about the only time of year pumpkins are readily available since it's a fall veggie. Might have to give it a try with my kids and see if anyone likes it; only a couple liked watermelon.
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