[LRHenneman]

Originally Posted by PeggySue

Sorry I was at work the comment was made in another thread that when the horse was feed a 14% grain they got hyper

so I wanted to disspell the myth once again LOL

Not to be argumentative, but my experience with my walkers shows me the exact opposite. None of them have been able to tolerate high protein levels--they got exceedingly hyper on alfalfa and I had to work really hard at keeping their protein levels appropriate for them. They've all been in boarding, so working with the barns to keep them away from alfalfa was a daily chore. I supplied my own grain to keep the protein levels down, also instead of using what the barn was feeding.

I put my latest walker on a RB that was 36 percent protein. Had to quit feeding it. The BO called and wanted to know what was in the RB, as that was the only change in his diet. He had tons of energy. She was afraid to be around him. He was getting the proscribed amount.

I have a degree in human physiology and agree that physiologically, protein is used as a building block, but, my experience with my walkers makes me think that something else is going on. Now, increased protein did not affect my Appy at all. I could have fed him straight alfalfa and he'd not have been any different. It's an individual horse thing, but my walkers sure don't react well to increased protein, regardless.

Lani

[bugsys22575]

Keep going, keep going, everyone, I'M LEARNING!!! (Uh-oh.)

No, but really, this thread is very interesting and a really good discussion. I am not up on my protein, carbs, and fats, (or any of it really) but am learning A LOT from you guys!!! Please, keep discussing!

[WildHorseSpirit]

My mares will never get over 14% at the highest period! They are on a 12% at a half a pound divided into 2 feedings and are shiny, silly and healthy bellywise.
My one vet was appalled at the one RB that I had fed some years ago as it was 12% with an additional 36% added and he said no more of that! It was too much for any horse. So they got changed off it.

[PeggySue]

Originally Posted by LRHenneman

Not to be argumentative, but my experience with my walkers shows me the exact opposite. None of them have been able to tolerate high protein levels--they got exceedingly hyper on alfalfa and I had to work really hard at keeping their protein levels appropriate for them. They've all been in boarding, so working with the barns to keep them away from alfalfa was a daily chore. I supplied my own grain to keep the protein levels down, also instead of using what the barn was feeding.

I put my latest walker on a RB that was 36 percent protein. Had to quit feeding it. The BO called and wanted to know what was in the RB, as that was the only change in his diet. He had tons of energy. She was afraid to be around him. He was getting the proscribed amount.

I have a degree in human physiology and agree that physiologically, protein is used as a building block, but, my experience with my walkers makes me think that something else is going on. Now, increased protein did not affect my Appy at all. I could have fed him straight alfalfa and he'd not have been any different. It's an individual horse thing, but my walkers sure don't react well to increased protein, regardless.

Lani

Many horses ahve issues with alfalfa has nothing to do with the protien it has to do witha sensitivity to the alfalfa itself...

what % of protein are you feeding now and how much of it ??

[PeggySue]

Originally Posted by WildHorseSpirit

My mares will never get over 14% at the highest period! They are on a 12% at a half a pound divided into 2 feedings and are shiny, silly and healthy bellywise.
My one vet was appalled at the one RB that I had fed some years ago as it was 12% with an additional 36% added and he said no more of that! It was too much for any horse. So they got changed off it.

so where are your horses getting thier vitamins and minerals from??

Most vet's have very little equine nutrition knowledge which is what most people fail to realize

[nicz2cu]

Originally Posted by PeggySue

so where are your horses getting thier vitamins and minerals from??

Most vet's have very little equine nutrition knowledge which is what most people fail to realize

Truer words were never spoken..... when I first went to TC30 and BOSS , my vet came out for annual shots and could not believe how good they looked ( her words ) and asked what I had changed. I told her that I had removed grain / sweetfeed from their diet and told her what I had started feeding...... she had not heard of RB. I changed them right after joining here

Vet is top notch , so it's not that she is lacking in education .

[nicz2cu]

Originally Posted by LRHenneman

Not to be argumentative, but my experience with my walkers shows me the exact opposite. None of them have been able to tolerate high protein levels--they got exceedingly hyper on alfalfa and I had to work really hard at keeping their protein levels appropriate for them. They've all been in boarding, so working with the barns to keep them away from alfalfa was a daily chore. I supplied my own grain to keep the protein levels down, also instead of using what the barn was feeding.

I put my latest walker on a RB that was 36 percent protein. Had to quit feeding it. The BO called and wanted to know what was in the RB, as that was the only change in his diet. He had tons of energy. She was afraid to be around him. He was getting the proscribed amount.

I have a degree in human physiology and agree that physiologically, protein is used as a building block, but, my experience with my walkers makes me think that something else is going on. Now, increased protein did not affect my Appy at all. I could have fed him straight alfalfa and he'd not have been any different. It's an individual horse thing, but my walkers sure don't react well to increased protein, regardless.

Lani

Lani, I don't know if you remember me talking about it...... but I've found that both my walkers had the same reactions to alfalfa. They would get super hyper . Once I removed the source , they went back to what I consider normal

I never thought it could be sensitivity.

[Ropin1]

My vet never heard of a RB either. She was highly impressed with my horses condition and muscle tone and coat when she came out the first time I had him on it. I asked my vet straight up what she recommends for feeding. She said a 12% "pelleted feed" and lots of forage and maybe a supplement, she actually recommended Platinum performance. I like her a lot and still use her, but its true, MOST vets don't know or further their education on nutrition. Shame.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by LRHenneman

Not to be argumentative, but my experience with my walkers shows me the exact opposite. None of them have been able to tolerate high protein levels--they got exceedingly hyper on alfalfa and I had to work really hard at keeping their protein levels appropriate for them.

I'll have to chime in on this too, as this is a peeve of mine

Protein does not make horse hot. It's the *source* of the protein that the horse can be allergic to. Alfalfa is a not uncommon allergen, as is soy.

Some horses cannot tolerate even a smidge of alfalfa. Some can tolerate half their forage in it. It's very individual.

I supplied my own grain to keep the protein levels down, also instead of using what the barn was feeding.

You're feeding far less protein from a grain product than the horse is getting from his grass and/or hay. 20lb of 9% hay (or grass) gives over 800gm of total protein - more than the average adult horse needs (roughly 700gm, and that's for a not-small horse).

5lb of 16% grain gives you 362gm of total protein.

I put my latest walker on a RB that was 36 percent protein. Had to quit feeding it. The BO called and wanted to know what was in the RB, as that was the only change in his diet. He had tons of energy. She was afraid to be around him. He was getting the proscribed amount.

No doubt soy was in the RB, as most (all?) of them use soy as the main source of protein. Besides, there was Selenium in that RB too - perhaps he was allergic to that. Or the calcium, or the manganese, heck, maybe the cobalt

I have a degree in human physiology and agree that physiologically, protein is used as a building block, but, my experience with my walkers makes me think that something else is going on.

Yes, see above

[LRHenneman]

Originally Posted by nicz2cu

Lani, I don't know if you remember me talking about it...... but I've found that both my walkers had the same reactions to alfalfa. They would get super hyper . Once I removed the source , they went back to what I consider normal

I never thought it could be sensitivity.

I had forgotten that, Deb. Many walker lines are very sensitive to alfalfa. I'd asked a trainer about that and she attributed it to the protein levels.

Lani