[HUS_WP_lovr]

Originally Posted by Dawn

I was using an example of fortified feed products, not whole oats. Based on the comment made by your trainer.

There are many, many things that cause horses to look 'good' on the outside. There's also many things that cause them to look 'bad'. While nutrition can help and/or hinder that, the initial (and sometimes only) effects of nutrition are on the inside where you can not see.

Seminole as a general rule has some pretty good feeds. I believe that all of their feeds are a fixed formula. If there is noticeable changes in different bags, you should contact Seminole directly as there might be a problem with the mill that you're getting your feed from.

I'm not familiar with either of those formulations off the top of my head, but I will go look at them.

Is there a particular reason that Jackson is on a Senior formula? Or that Felix is on the Grow Right?

Felix is 3 so he 'growing".
Jackson is on Senior because the lady told us she keeps her horses young and old on the Senior because she likes the forumla and the starch, fat, protein looked good for what we were looking for. Also a premature death is inevitable in his case so he might as well enjoy the senior now.Thats not a real reason though.

[doublebarr]

LOL, yep, these horses are a testiment to how bad oats are as a source of feed (with proper supplementation as noted in your original post), ROTFLOL!!!

Yep, look at those horses. Someone needs to tell them how wrong they are about the diet they have these horses on. How can they expect to do very well if they're not fed right. Don't they know how awful oats are to horses. Good hay/grass, oats and a proper supplement work for me too. (shakes head and walks away)

[Dawn]

Okay, looking at Seminole's site now.

The Grow Right is classified as 'Low Starch' according to them. There are two senior feeds. Since you said 'Senior Formula' I'm assuming it is the one actually called that, but I'll go over both.

We'll go with the low starch Senior first...Okay, the starch level is 12%, I would be very curious to know what the sugar level is. (The NSC level is determined by combining the starch and sugar levels.) It contains two classifications of oats and barley. Now we don't know what the inclusion rate is, but given that, the NSC is likely at least moderate. All three ingredients are relatively high on the ingredient list. If only one form of oats was used, it would likely be even higher. He's getting about the middle of the recommendation for feeding with hay/pasture. Not sure by just glancing though what level of nutrition that is providing.

Now for the actual Senior Formula, it only contains oats, which is a bit further down the list. The Starch level is still 12%. The NSC is likely a big lower or the same as the other Senior. It does not contain all of the special 'herbs' that the other senior does. But as a whole, this product actually looks better than the other. Feeding recommendations are the same.
And onto the Grow Right...I'm guessing that Felix is in moderate work? Or is it closer to light? I'll go with moderate for now, especially seeing as how he's at the trainer. He's pretty close to the minimal amount, but still within range. Again, not sure what the nutrition level is. We again have barley and two types of oats. But the barley and oats are higher on the list. Again, not sure of the inclusion rate. Starch on this one is again 12%. NSC is likely higher than that of the Senior formula.

[Dawn]

Nice sarcasm

In the op, it was stated that the trainer said that supplementation is usually not needed. Of course we have no idea what they are using for 'supplementation'. And we have no idea what levels they're feeding the oats at. We also do not know how old these horses are, how long they've been on this diet, or what medical/health issues they may or may not have.

Neither do I see anything in those photos that tells me those horses are healthy. Well trained and well groomed? Definately.

Originally Posted by doublebarr

LOL, yep, these horses are a testiment to how bad oats are as a source of feed (with proper supplementation as noted in your original post), ROTFLOL!!!

Yep, look at those horses. Someone needs to tell them how wrong they are about the diet they have these horses on. How can they expect to do very well if they're not fed right. Don't they know how awful oats are to horses. Good hay/grass, oats and a proper supplement work for me too. (shakes head and walks away)

[calypsoscarnivl]

"Edgar Allen Whoa" is my favorite

[County]

If its not broke why fix it? I've fed literally 100's of horses the forage/oats diet over the years and had no health problems, my vets always comment they wish all their customers horses were as healthy. Feeding horses has never been rocket science work.

[HalterHorse]

I feed oats and my horses are fine. I still say it depends on the horse. You can spend tons of money on feed and buy top of the line and some horses still wont do well.

Also it doesnt matter how much you groom a horse, if it doesnt have a good "bloom" from the INSIDE out, you will know. So I would bet that these horses are just fine

[jokersbardee]

Oats are fine if you don't have an avenin sensitive horse but they won't give them the nutrition they need. A basic "pasture horse" will do fine on pasture, hay, oats and free choice minerals but working horses require more vitamins.

[tuffnough]

Another thumbs up for oats


I feed oats, patriot 14 and good forage. My horses look fantastic. I've had several people try to tell me to try this or that, i've fed my current program for years without a hitch. My horses are healthy and perform in top condition. No need to spend a small fortune every week to feed horses ya'll.

[County]

DSefine a " working horse " I have some that show in NCHA events that do great on hay, oats, and min/via blocks. I consider them " working horses ".