[Tess]

Does anyone have input on how soon a horse's attitude can change after decreasing the amount of sweet feed?

I decreased the amount of sweet feed given my TB gelding about a week and a half ago. The last two times we worked with him he has been so much more calm. Was just wondering if this is a coincidence or if a decrease in sweet feed would be apparent in a horse's demeanoor this quickly?

[Dawn]

The difference would be almost immediate if you changed enough to make a difference.

[Tess]

hhhhmmmmm.............that is so interesting.......because the change has been so immediate. He has gradually, over the last six months been decreased ( I don't remember by exactly how much--just alot). This most recent time (this last week) has been from 1 FULL cup of sweet feed and 1 cup of plain oats--A.M. and P.M. to.........HALF a cup of sweet fed and 1 cup of plain oats--A.M. and P.M.

[Blistering Winds]

It should be like 24-48 hrs if you do a drastic change.

You also might try a pelleted feed so you feed your horse enough but cut back the sugar that sweet feed has, that leads to more "heat" in a horse's attitude.

Also try giving your horse more exercise time to control attitude over feed control. You can cause serious issues if you control attitude with feed, and go overboard. So keep your horse's weight the same.

[Tess]

Pelleted feed?? Like Equine Senior?

[Blistering Winds]

Not just equine senior.

But yeah, that same form.

If you feed a sweet feed, there is usually a pelleted version of it either by the same company or one similar by another company.

Take my feed for example. I feed a Horse and Mule 10% sweet. They have a Horse and mule 10% pelleted by the same company.

Many of the others are the same. If there is a sweet, you can find a pelleted version. I know repetative, but I'm brain dead tonight.

[Tess]

Why is pelleted sweet feed different than regular?

[Blistering Winds]

There isn't as much molassas that in textured feed. Yes there is some molassas, just not as much. Just enough to help with the pelleted process of pressurization.

[Tess]

Ohhhhh, I see. Ok, thanx!!

I have to go out of town for a couple days. It will be interesting to see if my horse is still calm when I get back. Generally he gets ridden every other day. When I bought him he was VERY slim. I fed him what his previous owner fed him. He gained sooooo much weight. That's why I gradually decreased his feed. So, he's getting ridden as much, if not more than before, being fed less grain---and gaining weight--plus he has more turn out at my barn!! Go figure!! I also decreased his sweet feed because his attitude has been SOOOOO much more "hot" than it was when we tried him out before buying him. I'm pretty sure our hay is just grass.

[MissBandit]

I'm not an expert when it comes to nutrition, but I never fed my TB's sweet feed or oats. It's rocket fuel. Just pellets and local hay, once he fitted up, he was a VERY easy keeper.