Questions on feed change for lactating mare

BettyBootsy · 07-05-2007, 09:52 AM

Hey guys why is it that you can't feed Mare and Maintance by Purina Mills to a lactating mare? It says the same for there Born to Win. I have this mare thats getting to fat we have fertilized pastures the foal is 2 months and eats out of his own dish Strategy. The mare is also bred back. NewNaturesEssentials
Also since Moonshine has picked up his weight and is much better I was also think about Born to Win for him hes going on 2 and he still need a good totally vit and mineral count for his growth that was stunted so what are some different things without adding a bunch of stuff. I'm worried about Moonshine and OCD on the Strategy with his history. We have good pasture thats fertilized there on it 24-7 and everyone is getting way too fat now. Thanks guys!

Dawn · 07-05-2007, 10:02 AM

They can eat it, just make sure it is in appropriate amounts. Without doing any math off the top of my head, you're probably looking at 3-4 lbs a day.

They do not 'recommend' it because of the low calorie level. And in a 'traditional' diet (of little hay/pasture) the horse will not receive enough calories to support late pregnancy and lactation. However with an altered feed program (higher levels of high calorie hay/pasture and a fat source), it is possible to utilize the feed in that manner. So if the mare is on an alfalfa (or other legume type) hay and pasture, Mare and Maintenance would be fine for her. If she's on grass though, you would need to use Born to Win.

BettyBootsy · 07-05-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

They can eat it, just make sure it is in appropriate amounts. Without doing any math off the top of my head, you're probably looking at 3-4 lbs a day.

They do not 'recommend' it because of the low calorie level. And in a 'traditional' diet (of little hay/pasture) the horse will not receive enough calories to support late pregnancy and lactation. However with an altered feed program (higher levels of high calorie hay/pasture and a fat source), it is possible to utilize the feed in that manner. So if the mare is on an alfalfa (or other legume type) hay and pasture, Mare and Maintenance would be fine for her. If she's on grass though, you would need to use Born to Win.

Were on full grass pasture so the Born to Win on the Mare? Why? My friend was saying the vits in Mare and Maintance helps his mares not to be so moody as well that was another reason as well. Shes a B and kind of flighty!

But there being feed hot right now so maybe that will change on the BTW too maybe?

BettyBootsy · 07-05-2007, 10:18 AM

Dawn what about Moonshine? What do ya think. Here he is Monday. I'm worried about OCD on the Strategy since he was so under developed.

Dawn · 07-05-2007, 10:19 AM

The only difference between Born to Win and Mare and Maintenance is that the first is formulated to compliment a mostly grass diet and the later is formulated to compliment a mostly legume diet (50% or more by dry weight). Imo, the names are very misleading, but whatever.

Dawn · 07-05-2007, 10:20 AM

How much Strategy is he getting? If you're concerned about OCD, then definately switch him to a no grain diet which would be preferable for many other reasons as well.

BettyBootsy · 07-05-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

How much Strategy is he getting? If you're concerned about OCD, then definately switch him to a no grain diet which would be preferable for many other reasons as well.

He's getting 5 lbs a day and I throw in 12/12 mineral once a week. He got to the point he was leaving the mineral and Purina states that if you feed at least 3 lbs of Strategy that you don't need a mineral!???! He's off the probios and the Red Cell for about 2 weeks. I got worried about the OCD when he came up lame Monday his Phlanex 2 was popping out the fetlock joint and I've been treating that and it's been fine since thought he might have twisted playing with the other colts. Not for sure and then thoughts of OCD from his starvation history. Better to be safe then sorry I'm thinking. He was so poor when I got him his body was starving muscles to stay alive. SO you thoughts?

BettyBootsy · 07-05-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn

The only difference between Born to Win and Mare and Maintenance is that the first is formulated to compliment a mostly grass diet and the later is formulated to compliment a mostly legume diet (50% or more by dry weight). Imo, the names are very misleading, but whatever.

Okay so if I put that mare on BTW for the grass diet she should be okay without anything else? Her milk supply is good and the colt isn't nursing a ton. Will it cut back her milk supply at all? Thanks for your help girl!

Dawn · 07-05-2007, 10:34 AM

He would be getting a lot more nutrition from the BtW with a lot less sugar.

He's what 3 years? (I might be way off on that.) And needing to gain weight? (Or not, he's looking pretty good in that picture you posted.) He's likely only getting about 1/2 to 2/3 of the nutrition he needs from that amount of Strategy. Though with BtW at 2 lbs, he would be getting more nutrition than from 5 lbs of Strategy. While cutting sugars as well.

Dawn · 07-05-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyBootsy

Okay so if I put that mare on BTW for the grass diet she should be okay without anything else? Her milk supply is good and the colt isn't nursing a ton. Will it cut back her milk supply at all? Thanks for your help girl!

What is she getting right now? Just pasture?

07-05-2007, 09:52 AM	#1
BettyBootsy Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,934 Images: 64	Questions on feed change for lactating mare Hey guys why is it that you can't feed Mare and Maintance by Purina Mills to a lactating mare? It says the same for there Born to Win. I have this mare thats getting to fat we have fertilized pastures the foal is 2 months and eats out of his own dish Strategy. The mare is also bred back. NewNaturesEssentials Also since Moonshine has picked up his weight and is much better I was also think about Born to Win for him hes going on 2 and he still need a good totally vit and mineral count for his growth that was stunted so what are some different things without adding a bunch of stuff. I'm worried about Moonshine and OCD on the Strategy with his history. We have good pasture thats fertilized there on it 24-7 and everyone is getting way too fat now. Thanks guys!

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07-05-2007, 10:02 AM	#2
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 28,761 Images: 1267	They can eat it, just make sure it is in appropriate amounts. Without doing any math off the top of my head, you're probably looking at 3-4 lbs a day. They do not 'recommend' it because of the low calorie level. And in a 'traditional' diet (of little hay/pasture) the horse will not receive enough calories to support late pregnancy and lactation. However with an altered feed program (higher levels of high calorie hay/pasture and a fat source), it is possible to utilize the feed in that manner. So if the mare is on an alfalfa (or other legume type) hay and pasture, Mare and Maintenance would be fine for her. If she's on grass though, you would need to use Born to Win.

07-05-2007, 10:18 AM	#4
BettyBootsy Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,934 Images: 64	Dawn what about Moonshine? What do ya think. Here he is Monday. I'm worried about OCD on the Strategy since he was so under developed.

07-05-2007, 10:19 AM	#5
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 28,761 Images: 1267	The only difference between Born to Win and Mare and Maintenance is that the first is formulated to compliment a mostly grass diet and the later is formulated to compliment a mostly legume diet (50% or more by dry weight). Imo, the names are very misleading, but whatever.

07-05-2007, 10:20 AM	#6
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 28,761 Images: 1267	How much Strategy is he getting? If you're concerned about OCD, then definately switch him to a no grain diet which would be preferable for many other reasons as well.

07-05-2007, 10:34 AM	#9
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 28,761 Images: 1267	He would be getting a lot more nutrition from the BtW with a lot less sugar. He's what 3 years? (I might be way off on that.) And needing to gain weight? (Or not, he's looking pretty good in that picture you posted.) He's likely only getting about 1/2 to 2/3 of the nutrition he needs from that amount of Strategy. Though with BtW at 2 lbs, he would be getting more nutrition than from 5 lbs of Strategy. While cutting sugars as well.