[Lou3]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Yep, this is a problem that is widespread - vets are taught (mostly by feed reps) that horses need grain to survive. And this is why the vast majority of owners think the horse needs grain.

No we aren't. We've been taught the exact opposite of that. Our equine lecturers preach 24 hour turnout and keeping all horses grass and hay fed including competition horses with hard feed being given only if energy or weight grain requirements make it necessary.
Really the nutrition training vets get at vet school these days is pretty good. Older vets may not be as up to the mark but newer qualified vets will have had some pretty decent nutrition training.

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by Lou3

No we aren't. We've been taught the exact opposite of that. Our equine lecturers preach 24 hour turnout and keeping all horses grass and hay fed including competition horses with hard feed being given only if energy or weight grain requirements make it necessary.
Really the nutrition training vets get at vet school these days is pretty good. Older vets may not be as up to the mark but newer qualified vets
will have had some pretty decent nutrition training.

It is a lot diff in the US, I believe... I know that they are still taught almost NO Canine nutrition (per my own vet, who graduated from Cornell and has petitioned hard to have those basics 'upped' as he's a big one into cause and effect of sound nutrition).

[imacowgirl2]

Originally Posted by wyldterv

It is a lot diff in the US, I believe... I know that they are still taught almost NO Canine nutrition (per my own vet, who graduated from Cornell and has petitioned hard to have those basics 'upped' as he's a big one into cause and effect of sound nutrition).

Ditto to it being vastly different in the US...majority of vets I hear about are still preaching grains, grains, grains. Nutrition classes for anything except cattle are greatly lacking at my university -- we do have a companion animal nutrition class (undergrad level), which was very good, but it is very new, and definately not the norm.

ETA: I just looked and our vet college doesnt even HAVE nutrition classes...the closest it gets is "Nutritional Aspect of Food Animal Medicine" and identical class for Small Animals...that and our basic Animal Nutrition in undergrad.

[imacowgirl2]

There's been a lot of new interest in ration balancers, so I'm bumping this back up for the newer members to more easily find

[janelle12]

I posted earlier in the thread and was one of those wanting more info on RB's. I just switched from purina senior to purina Born to Win (and she still gets her 15-20 lbs hay per day and focus SR flax/seaweed supplement). It's going to cost me $28/month less, yay!

[ryu2832]

I just wanted to add also that if you do not have a Triple Crown dealer in your area and you want TC30, Triple Crown distributes through Kent and Purnia depending on the area/state.

I just found a Kent dealer 10 miles from my house that is going to stock TC30 for me!

[Moostang]

I spent a whole day a horse expo hitting up all the feed vendors about ration balancers off all of them I think I am going to go with LMF Super Supplement (same one Wyld is using). It seemed better formulated for our Easy Keepers on grass.
Then other one I liked was the horseguard because they said this fall the may come out with a treat like the majesty people make. Which I think would be better for our tubby ponies.

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by Moostang

I spent a whole day a horse expo hitting up all the feed vendors about ration balancers off all of them I think I am going to go with LMF Super Supplement (same one Wyld is using). It seemed better formulated for our Easy Keepers on grass.
Then other one I liked was the horseguard because they said this fall the may come out with a treat like the majesty people make. Which I think would be better for our tubby ponies.

I have been just THRILLED with the results of the LMF SS for Poncho and Emmerson!!! I honestly have been really REALLY happy with ALL of the LMF Products I've used to date... (Development while Dancer was in the last Trimester and nursing Elle and now LMF GOLD for Dancer who's a bit harder to keep in perfect weight with all the hard work I put her through )

[StormChaser]

[quote=Sue B;1962948]Good idea!
Triple Crown 12% to complement alfalfa
Pennfield All Phase Balancer Pellet (sorry their site su.cks)
Purina Born to Win (at the bottom of the product list)
Seminole Equalizer
Allience Nutrition/MoorMan's StayStrong (possibly others on that page, not that familiar with the products)
LMF Super Supplement
Poulin Equi Pro MVP


Hi Sue! Quick question for you...Sorry if I'm hi******* a bit but I thought others might want to know as well.

I'm currently feeding Purina's Born to Win mainly because that's the only ration balancer in our area, but since you posted Allience Nutrition/MoorMan's Stay strong, I found out that our local TSC carries it and it's almost $7 cheaper than BTW. Do you think it would be good to switch? I would love the cheaper price but I don't want to skimp on quality if that was the case.

[Sue B]

Originally Posted by StormChaser

Hi Sue! Quick question for you...Sorry if I'm hi******* a bit but I thought others might want to know as well.

I'm currently feeding Purina's Born to Win mainly because that's the only ration balancer in our area, but since you posted Allience Nutrition/MoorMan's Stay strong, I found out that our local TSC carries it and it's almost $7 cheaper than BTW. Do you think it would be good to switch? I would love the cheaper price but I don't want to skimp on quality if that was the case.

LOL...I don't think this thread could be hi.ja.cked! It's hear for everyone to ask questions....and hopefully get feedback.

My only concern with the Stay Strong (and possibly others in that product line) is that they are not showing added amino acids and it has only a moderate protein level. While this would be a good complement to an alfalfa diet, you would probably be missing out with the horse on grass hay.

However, there are other sources of amino acids that you can complement this product with...BOSS and rice bran would provide the most amino acids plus additional beneficial nutrients such as fat. It is possible to add these items withoug weight gain if that is a concern.

So, in the long run...I'm thinking that you would proably end up paying the same amount per feeding because you would need to supplement the ADM product.