[Lucky Duck]

My new mare is at a good weight now, but all she gets is a cup (a measuring cup, that is) of a 10% protein grain. Her previous owner said if you fed her anymore than that she would get fat. She is boss mare and loves her grain, but she gets signifigantly less than all the other horses. Is there something I can add to her grain for 'fill'... just to keep her busy eating? She'll finish her grain and stick her nose through the stall bars and annoy the other horses... she won't go eat her hay.

[CANDYGIRL]

How about trying some un-mollased Chaff?

I use Dengie Hi Fi Lite for Pic(lami and good doer, fresh air pony)

I know there is a supplier in Florida, I put a link on another post - it will keep her busy longer, without making her gain any weight.

Don't think you can get the Lite, but know they do the HI FI, which is almost the same.

You can feed Hi Fi as a hay replacer, so will not cause you any problems with weight gain, and chaff in general makes them eat their feeds slower, just a bit more fibre and bulk her feed out

ADMIRE YOU FOR TAKING THE PREVIOUS OWNERS ADVICE bow .

Hope that helps -let me know if you want me to find the link

[Blistering Winds]

What do you mean at a good weight? What is her body score?

Basically you want her at a 5. Cant see the ribs, but can feel them when you run your hand down her sides.

Horses can live on hay and grasses alone, if they are good quality. So if she's eating good hay, don't even bother with grain if she is one to get fat on air!

And exercise!!

[CANDYGIRL]

BW, it was me who said mine lives on air LOL.

I agree most can live on grass and hay alone, but she considers her a good weight at the minute and doesn't want her any fatter, only gets 1 cup of grain - that is why I suggestd the chaff to stop her bothering the others through the bars, she said she doesn't bother with her hay.

Gonna send you a pm(not about this )

jane

[Blistering Winds]

What is Chaff anyways?

[CANDYGIRL]

Molassed Chaff
A lightly molassed, chopped straw chaff, supplied in either standard or herbal variety. This popular feed is an ideal way to 'slow' a horse that bolts its food.

Chaff
Chopped forage, useful supply of fibre. Minimal nutritional value. Can be hay, afalfa or straw. Nutrient value and molasses may vary.

HI-FI LITE

FIBRE FEEDS
ALFA-A ORIGINAL
ALFA-A LITE
ALFA-A OIL
HI-FI ORIGINAL
HI-FI LITE
HI-FI GOOD DO-ER
HI-FI SENIOR

Hi-Fi LITE is the maintenance feed for horses and ponies at risk from laminitis. Specially formulated with a low sugar coating, Hi-Fi Lite provides slow release energy to help keep laminitics strong and healthy.
Hi-Fi Lite is made from alfalfa which is high temperature dried - locking in the natural goodness - and then blended with quality soft straw to provide essential nutrition. Alfalfa is an excellent natural source of antioxidants and it is proven to improve the quality and quantity of hoof growth (Vet Record, 1987).

Remember that molasses is a sugar so go for the lowest possible molassed chaff.

[Blistering Winds]

Oh ok.

[CANDYGIRL]

Do you call it Luceren(?) - just that I came across something on a US site

[Bailey-Boots]

I will have to check out the feed stores when I am over there Candy, so we can all speak about the same thing LOL

yes I have a fresh air horse .. she is sooooo overweight. in a very little paddock that is getting sparser (sp) by the day but I wish she would loose some weight !! I only give her 3 feeds a weeks for her medication. I should just send to to Arizona or somewhere that they don't have any grass.

[Blistering Winds]

Not sure. Honestly never heard of Lucerine. But I'll check on it.

I know we have dehydrated alfalfa cubes but that is the closest thing I know of. But I'll do some checking.