[idlewild]

Ok... so I've been doing some reading up on all the ration balancer threads out there, and I'm beginning to realize that what Buddy is getting could be greatly improved. That, and I am starting to put him into harder conditioning work, right now he's teetering on the brim, he looks GREAT right now, is getting some good muscle, isn't fat. Can't see ribs but can feel them. But he's on the verge, if I continue with our current workout and conditioning schedule I feel he is going to drop weight and loose what muscle tone I have finally build up if I don't update his diet.

This is what he is currently getting, it kept him in good weight all through the winter with light to moderate work. Oh, and just so you know, he is out in a pen/pasture with 3 other geldings, they are fed off a 1 ton bale and just thrown guestimated piles of hay. I do not feed, the barn manager and owner do. I'd say roughly he is eating 1 1/2 flakes per day (mind you, these flakes are 3'x3' -- they are massive compared to your average small 50/60# bale.). The hay is a homegrown grass/alfalfa/clover mix, heavy on the grass. I'd say it's 80% grass and 20% alfalfa/clover. The grass is meadow foxtail. It is a very rich grass, it's very leafy and very green. The majority of it doesn't get rained on when cut, so none of the nutrients get washed away--needless to say this is not a hay you feed a lot of to a founder prone horse! UWell, I'm rambling now, on to what this horse actually eats

AM
Large pile of hay - roughly 15lbs.
no grain

PM
large pile of hay, same as AM
2 scoops of Omolene 200, 1 scoop = 1.5lbs, so 3lbs total. 3/4 cup Corn oil.

I used to feed BOSS last spring, that seemed to help him some. After reading all these threads on RB I'd like to switch him over to that, and maybe beat pulp too. Though... I question if he will eat it, he is picky! It drives me nuts.

Oh... and just so you know, I don't really have an easy way to get him an AM grain/supplement feeding, pretty much PM is the only time I have to feed him something extra besides hay. The barn owner feeds in the morning, and frankly... i don't trust him to catch my horse, bring him into a stall or pen and feed him--and remember to do it every morning! The man is a cattle rancher, NOT a horse person. So yeah, that's the one handicap I have to work with.

This thread is getting long... so, any ideas, suggestions? I need something that will keep weight on him with hard conditioning (I'm training for eventing). I don't know much... yet, nutrition is the one area of horse management that I know I am lacking in, and I want to learn!

[Sonny-Dee-Girl]

lol. i made a thread like this 10 seconds ago. we are so eager to learn!

[idlewild]

^^Oh goodness i know!! I've been pouring over all these RB threads (check out the sticky in this section ), so much information! I almost feel overwhelmed, lol. Maybe I should start taking notes... hmmm

[Sonny-Dee-Girl]

^^ Thanks. I will check it out. Yeah, it can be so confusing. Some days, I wish, can't she just eat lots of grass? C'mon, I swear it sounds like a good idea inside my head! It would be sooooo easy. But alas, no easy button for this one!

[imjustjoking22]

Originally Posted by Sonny-Dee-Girl

^^ Thanks. I will check it out. Yeah, it can be so confusing. Some days, I wish, can't she just eat lots of grass? C'mon, I swear it sounds like a good idea inside my head! It would be sooooo easy. But alas, no easy button for this one!

Hahaha- my horse is on 24/7 grass and I just give him a couple scoops of oats/rice bran while I tack him up on the days I ride (plus a few supps in there).

It is so easy!! I read all these threads and think... oh god... look at what they are giving their horses! But my boy is happy and spunky and I am not broke, so it seems to work out great .

[belle4]

Hahaha- my horse is on 24/7 grass and I just give him a couple scoops of oats/rice bran while I tack him up on the days I ride (plus a few supps in there).

This is a dangerous feeding practice. You are asking for trouble. You need to feed your horse the same thing, at the same time, EVERY day, not just the days you ride.

[JBandRio]

Without knowing what this "scoop" is, it's not possible to say whether that is a safe practice or not.

If it's a 2qt scoop, that is WAY too much oats and bran to be feeding right as you're getting ready to ride, much less just a couple of times a week. If it's 5 days a week, that's acceptable, but still too much grain right before exercise.

If you're talking about a 1 cup scoop, that's entirely different and perfectly fine as far as times a week and amount right before a ride.

[luckydragon]

I feed beet pulp and it seems to help with weight. Both Dragon and Lucky have put on weight this winter. Even Vicky is putting on weight! I also feed about 1/3 to 1/2 can CS11 when the horses are in hard work, and 1/4 when they aren't. Next time you come over I'll show you how much beet pulp we feed. Each of the horses (except the two fat boys) gets one scoop, which expands after we soak it/add hot water. Even Wintari is doing good with that, except he's going through a growth spurt now.