[Dawn]

Let me start by saying that Equus is one of my favourite magazines. This past year I opted for a HI subscription instead, and I've really regreted it. But today at the bookstore, I picked up an Equus to thumb through.

They had an article on 'free choice' concentrates. I didn't have time to read it word for word unfortunately. But wow. It was extremely misleading. Multple times they stated that the horses self regulated to not eat any additional feed. But if you read through, it was total per day that they didn't eat more. Instead of 10 lbs concentrates 13 lbs hay, they ate 20 lbs concentrates 3 lbs hay. (That might not be the exact numbers, but it's very close if not exact.)

The basis for this study was that horses are designed to eat many, many small meals throughout the day. Yes...of forage! Not grains! It stated that horses only 'gorge' on grains when presented with them (breaking into the feed room) because they're 'hungry'. Now tell that to the horse on free choice hay or pasture that does this. I'll guarentee you they're not hungry.

No where (that I saw) did it make any mention of what 'concentrate' was used or what type of hay was offered. The horses were kept in stalls, exercised 3 times a week through the study.

It claimed that there were no negative health effects (colic, laminitis, and something else were mentioned by name).

I just overall found the article to be irresponsible and quite possibly very misleading.

Did anyone else read this?

[ChelseaAngel]

Equus is the only magazine I subscribe to. I've been getting it since 1987!

I have the article right in front of me. It says they used a "very high-fiber, moderate energy-dense feed" whatever that's supposed to mean.

I was surprised when I read it, too. I hope some people don't decide to just start pouring the grain into their horses because they think it's okay since they read it in a magazine.

It does say it's recommended to feed a fiber-based concentrate. I suppose if done correctly it could work. I won't be trying it any time soon.

My Haflinger would park herself in front of that feed and never leave.

[Dawn]

Originally Posted by ChelseaAngel

I have the article right in front of me. It says they used a "very high-fiber, moderate energy-dense feed" whatever that's supposed to mean.

Exactly.

I'm sure more than one horse owner is going to decide to free feed sweet feed because Equus (and Dr. Henneke, yes he conducted this study) said it's okay. No, not okay. Desirable.

[Dreamsrbig]

I also read that. While I found it be interesting I would never do it. I guess maybe if you started them as foals but I see no reson to do it. Really if you want to go back to how a horse is made to eat they wouldn't really be getting any grain right?

[Dawn]

Originally Posted by Dreamsrbig

I also read that. While I found it be interesting I would never do it. I guess maybe if you started them as foals but I see no reson to do it. Really if you want to go back to how a horse is made to eat they wouldn't really be getting any grain right?

Exactly. And in the study they were eating almost 100% grain, extremely little hay (and no grass available).

[shaiarabs]

Originally Posted by ChelseaAngel

I have the article right in front of me. It says they used a "very high-fiber, moderate energy-dense feed" whatever that's supposed to mean.

It does say it's recommended to feed a fiber-based concentrate. I suppose if done correctly it could work. I won't be trying it any time soon.

I havent read the article but they probably should have been clearer on the contents of the grain feed.. are they maybe doing as we do here and creating a dry chaff from the hay to create a fibrous feed?

[Cowgirl1013]

I bet if you had multiple horses together they would also end up eating more concentrates than if alone.

[hoofs_in_motion]

I haven't read the article yet. I'll have to pick up a copy tomorrow.

Obviously the writer was not doing their homework lol

[Dawn]

It was featured on the cover as well. So even someone just glancing the magazine could get the impression that this is okay.

[shaiarabs]

just finished reading the article online, its interesting but a big risk, like with barefoot you have to be prepared too do the whole nine yards... but wow I would rather feed free choice hay than 20-25lbs of feed a day as well as hay...what a cost..