Feeding Horses

[MegF.]

That's good, although if you can get off the grain that would be better. Horses cannot handle the carbs and sugars from grains and are better off in foods without any grains. Dumore and Seminole both make feeds for "laminitics" that are far safer for the horse and still provide fat. If weight is an issue, beet pulp and rice bran are far better ways to put weight on. As a barefoot trimmer, I see far too many horses that are foundered or will founder due to grass and grain.

 

[pebblelu]

Thanks Meg,
Getting them off grain shouldn't be a problem, they don't get that much.
I would like for Calie my mare thats 17 to put some weight on. But my other mare Lady is over weight and she's half draft. Both of my horses are barefoot.
Thanks again to every one who answered.

 

[MegF.]

Being lean is more healthy than fat. You should be able to see ribs when they move and feel them while they stand when they are at a good weight. I think we tend to like to see a fat animal as a healthy animal when in reality it's not. I can walk thru a barn and pick the horses out that are in a pre-laminitic state...they are always described as "easy keepers" and usually have thick crests, fat pads by the tail and in front of the sheath or udder. Try the probitotics and see if it helps with the weight issue. They should help the horse utilize it's feed better.

 

[TxMomto4]

Thanks Meg,
Getting them off grain shouldn't be a problem, they don't get that much.
I would like for Calie my mare thats 17 to put some weight on. But my other mare Lady is over weight and she's half draft. Both of my horses are barefoot.
Thanks again to every one who answered.

I second the beet pulp and rice bran for weight.

 

[Pasodama]

although if you can get off the grain that would be better.

I agree.
(My horses' "grain" is, actually, a pelleted feed).

 

[Pasodama]

Being lean is more healthy than fat.

So true.

Although, one may be surprised to find that some people will call Animal Control if they see horses that are not "round barrels" (Yes, I am referring to lean horses and not to overly skinny ones or those that may be emaciated - which would be understandable if someone filed a complaint).
Some folks are just not up on what is truly healthy ... nor that different breeds may have different conformations even (light breeds vs. heavier breeds, refined vs. course, etc.).

 

[MegF.]

I agree.
(My horses' "grain" is, actually, a pelleted feed).

Even pelleted feed can contain grain. Check the ingredients. Many will have corn and other grains in it. You want grain free energy. Low carbs/low sugar.