Feed switch

Kiraral · 05-29-2007, 11:54 AM

Joe currently gets 1 scoop pelets and 1/2 scoop sweetfeed twice a day (pluse supplements/oil). I'm going to be taking him off the sweet feed; he's a bit on the tubby side

.One of our scoops is 2 quarts. How long should it take me to transition him for 1 quart to no sweet? I know to do it graduauly, but I don't know if it should be over a week, 2 weeks, or what.

JBandRio · 05-29-2007, 11:57 AM

In your case you can cold-turkey drop the sweet feed.

Kiraral · 05-29-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBandRio

In your case you can cold-turkey drop the sweet feed.

Okay, that's good to know. I've never personally changed a horses feed, and since I make up his grain it's totally in my control. And as his mommy, I worry

. Thanks!

MidnightStarr · 05-29-2007, 12:13 PM

NOOO you should NEVER change anything cold turkey!!!!!!!!!!!

Drop it down to 3/4 quart for a little while, then 1/2 quart for a little while, then 1/4 quart for a while then after than you can take her off completely!!!!

good luck

Just_me · 05-29-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidnightStarr

NOOO you should NEVER change anything cold turkey!!!!!!!!!!!

Drop it down to 3/4 scoop for a little while, then 1/2 for a little while, then 1/4 scoop for a while then after than you can take her off completely!!!!

good luck

actually that is not entirely true.Reducing the portion size or taking a part out is not the problem,you just can't add it back in'just like that' as the stomach has to get use to the'extra'stuff again.

Kiraral · 05-29-2007, 12:19 PM

I wasn't sure if it was adding and reducing or just adding that was dnagerous to do too quickly. Thanks all!

JBandRio · 05-29-2007, 01:26 PM

midnight, yes, you can remove feedstuff cold turkey under most circumstances. The reason for the "don't make sudden changes" rule is because it takes a certain amount of certain digestive bacteria to deal with food, and it takes time for a proper quantity of that bacteria to build up. Adding too much of a new food too quickly means you have food going in without the right stuff there to digest it. That's what causes problems like colic and laminitis and diarrhea.

Removing a food source doesn't have those problems.

05-29-2007, 11:54 AM	#1
Kiraral Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 801 Images: 3	Feed switch Joe currently gets 1 scoop pelets and 1/2 scoop sweetfeed twice a day (pluse supplements/oil). I'm going to be taking him off the sweet feed; he's a bit on the tubby side .One of our scoops is 2 quarts. How long should it take me to transition him for 1 quart to no sweet? I know to do it graduauly, but I don't know if it should be over a week, 2 weeks, or what. __________________ Oh Joe...that's not for eating! RIP Rainy. In my heart forever

05-29-2007, 11:57 AM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,003 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	In your case you can cold-turkey drop the sweet feed. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

05-29-2007, 12:13 PM	#4
MidnightStarr Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ny Posts: 4,492 Images: 61 Blog Entries: 4	NOOO you should NEVER change anything cold turkey!!!!!!!!!!! Drop it down to 3/4 quart for a little while, then 1/2 quart for a little while, then 1/4 quart for a while then after than you can take her off completely!!!! good luck __________________ Kaylin lee <3 \|\| Midnight Starr Missy I am 100% ANTI!!-Horses were created to work for man NOT to be eaten by him.

05-29-2007, 12:19 PM	#6
Kiraral Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 801 Images: 3	I wasn't sure if it was adding and reducing or just adding that was dnagerous to do too quickly. Thanks all! __________________ Oh Joe...that's not for eating! RIP Rainy. In my heart forever

05-29-2007, 01:26 PM	#7
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,003 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	midnight, yes, you can remove feedstuff cold turkey under most circumstances. The reason for the "don't make sudden changes" rule is because it takes a certain amount of certain digestive bacteria to deal with food, and it takes time for a proper quantity of that bacteria to build up. Adding too much of a new food too quickly means you have food going in without the right stuff there to digest it. That's what causes problems like colic and laminitis and diarrhea. Removing a food source doesn't have those problems. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

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