Novice looking for advice on proper feed....

Anxious1 · 01-22-2008, 07:48 AM

I am the proud owner of two mares, 18 yo APHA Paint and a 7 yo Grade Sorrel.

They both came to me from wonderful homes but were stabled and they were fed a senior (for the 18 yo) feed of pellets and a standard feed of pellets for the 7yo and also 3 quarts of cleaned oats each.

They have free choice hay 24/7 and go through about a bale for both per day. They are turned out and have free choice shelter to the barn as well.

Is this the best that I can feed them and should I supplement. They are both at good weights according to the vet and the farrier are very pleased with their health.

PeggySue · 01-22-2008, 08:18 AM

first off how much work do you do with them ??

How much of the pelleted feed are they getting??

I will not ever again feed a high grain mix feed if you look at the top of the health page there is a ration balancer sticky that has alot of great info in it

if you let us know where you are city, state and zip we can help you find a ration balancer in your area

Anxious1 · 01-22-2008, 09:57 AM

With it being -5 for highs here they are not getting much work right now but are pastured. I will be working them at least 3x a week and riding 2x a week in the near future as it warms up. I am in Willmar MN 56021 and they are both getting 3 quarts 2 x a day. Thanks PeggySue!

PeggySue · 01-22-2008, 10:46 AM

I would change them off of the grain diet and put them on a ration balancer like Buckeye's Gro N Win Buckeye Nutrition: Dealer Locator: Results with free chioce hay therefor providing them complete nutrition with minimal grains or additives (for lack of better word) chances are it will SAVE you money in the long run and your horses will be healthier for it

Velvet · 01-22-2008, 11:00 AM

If your vet and farrier are pleased with how they look - don't change a thing.

Is Dr. Iden your vet?

Anxious1 · 01-22-2008, 11:44 AM

Thank you PeggySue and Nope, Dr. Alex of Buckeye Equine is the vet and Jerry Somerville is the Farrier. I was going to go with South 71 but got talked into Buckingham due to the 18 year old being navicular and her films were sent there. Are you familiar with the area Velvet?

I can't find a local dealer closer than 50 miles I hate being this far out of the loop. I may ask Running's Farm and Fleet if they can carry it...

PeggySue · 01-22-2008, 11:46 AM

Kent Feeds
Triple Crown Nutrition - 30% Supplement
Progressive Nutrition - High Quality Horse and Animal Feed
Purina Mills Horse

right now I am out of time but all of these companies plus more offer a ration balancer they all also have dealer loactors on them

ma23peas · 01-22-2008, 02:50 PM

I've had my 7 year old Paint mare for 10 weeks...she came to me on sweetfeed/oats hay...I was in the same boat as you then, I asked and read about the ration balancers and settled on Buckeye's gro'nwin...she's been on it for about 5 weeks now and she looks and acts great! I can tell she's calmed down a lot coming off the sweet feed...I would recommend cutting out everything but the ration balancer and hay...for the older horse go to Buckeye's website and they have a different one they recommend for older horses I think..

Tara

jumpthemoon · 01-22-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velvet

If your vet and farrier are pleased with how they look - don't change a thing.

Is Dr. Iden your vet?

I agree. If it's not broke then don't fix it. Good luck with your new horses.

Dawn · 01-22-2008, 04:33 PM

Just because they look okay on the outside does not mean that they're okay on the inside.

And even if they're okay on the inside now, it does not mean that their present diet will not lead to issues in the future.

What brands of feed are you feeding? Is it a locally mixed feed? Or a 'national' brand?

What kind of hay are you feeding?

01-22-2008, 07:48 AM	#1
Anxious1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Central MN Posts: 516 Images: 1	Novice looking for advice on proper feed.... I am the proud owner of two mares, 18 yo APHA Paint and a 7 yo Grade Sorrel. They both came to me from wonderful homes but were stabled and they were fed a senior (for the 18 yo) feed of pellets and a standard feed of pellets for the 7yo and also 3 quarts of cleaned oats each. They have free choice hay 24/7 and go through about a bale for both per day. They are turned out and have free choice shelter to the barn as well. Is this the best that I can feed them and should I supplement. They are both at good weights according to the vet and the farrier are very pleased with their health.

01-22-2008, 08:18 AM	#2
PeggySue Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 11,026 Images: 1028 Blog Entries: 9	first off how much work do you do with them ?? How much of the pelleted feed are they getting?? I will not ever again feed a high grain mix feed if you look at the top of the health page there is a ration balancer sticky that has alot of great info in it if you let us know where you are city, state and zip we can help you find a ration balancer in your area __________________ Moosa says stop and smell the flowers life is too short not to enjoy it

01-22-2008, 10:46 AM	#4
PeggySue Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 11,026 Images: 1028 Blog Entries: 9	I would change them off of the grain diet and put them on a ration balancer like Buckeye's Gro N Win Buckeye Nutrition: Dealer Locator: Results with free chioce hay therefor providing them complete nutrition with minimal grains or additives (for lack of better word) chances are it will SAVE you money in the long run and your horses will be healthier for it __________________ Moosa says stop and smell the flowers life is too short not to enjoy it

01-22-2008, 11:46 AM	#7
PeggySue Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 11,026 Images: 1028 Blog Entries: 9	Kent Feeds Triple Crown Nutrition - 30% Supplement Progressive Nutrition - High Quality Horse and Animal Feed Purina Mills Horse right now I am out of time but all of these companies plus more offer a ration balancer they all also have dealer loactors on them __________________ Moosa says stop and smell the flowers life is too short not to enjoy it

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01-22-2008, 09:57 AM	#3
Anxious1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Central MN Posts: 516 Images: 1	With it being -5 for highs here they are not getting much work right now but are pastured. I will be working them at least 3x a week and riding 2x a week in the near future as it warms up. I am in Willmar MN 56021 and they are both getting 3 quarts 2 x a day. Thanks PeggySue!

01-22-2008, 11:00 AM	#5
Velvet Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Good ol' U S of A Posts: 18	If your vet and farrier are pleased with how they look - don't change a thing. Is Dr. Iden your vet?

01-22-2008, 11:44 AM	#6
Anxious1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Central MN Posts: 516 Images: 1	Thank you PeggySue and Nope, Dr. Alex of Buckeye Equine is the vet and Jerry Somerville is the Farrier. I was going to go with South 71 but got talked into Buckingham due to the 18 year old being navicular and her films were sent there. Are you familiar with the area Velvet? I can't find a local dealer closer than 50 miles I hate being this far out of the loop. I may ask Running's Farm and Fleet if they can carry it...

01-22-2008, 02:50 PM	#8
ma23peas Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 193 Images: 14	I've had my 7 year old Paint mare for 10 weeks...she came to me on sweetfeed/oats hay...I was in the same boat as you then, I asked and read about the ration balancers and settled on Buckeye's gro'nwin...she's been on it for about 5 weeks now and she looks and acts great! I can tell she's calmed down a lot coming off the sweet feed...I would recommend cutting out everything but the ration balancer and hay...for the older horse go to Buckeye's website and they have a different one they recommend for older horses I think.. Tara

01-22-2008, 04:33 PM	#10
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,612 Images: 1283	Just because they look okay on the outside does not mean that they're okay on the inside. And even if they're okay on the inside now, it does not mean that their present diet will not lead to issues in the future. What brands of feed are you feeding? Is it a locally mixed feed? Or a 'national' brand? What kind of hay are you feeding?