[PeggySue]

sorry to say your trainer may be a GREAT trainer but she is lacking in nutrition knowledge... just because she can ride doesn't mean she KNOWS much about feeding them ...

[LRHenneman]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

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.

The first ingredient listed on the labed was alfalfa. I didn't check for soy. I had to get the literature to find out that the protein level in the RB for horses on a grass hay diet was 32 percent. It was less in the RB for horses on an alflafa-based diet. I didn't look for soy in the literature. It's amazing how many people and now animals are allergic to soy, myself included.

Lani

[PeggySue]

Which Ration Balancer were you using??

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by LRHenneman

The first ingredient listed on the labed was alfalfa. I didn't check for soy. I had to get the literature to find out that the protein level in the RB for horses on a grass hay diet was 32 percent. It was less in the RB for horses on an alflafa-based diet. I didn't look for soy in the literature. It's amazing how many people and now animals are allergic to soy, myself included.

Lani

If you were using a 32% feed, I'd guess it was Enrich 32, as most others are 30%. The equivalent for those on grass is 12%

I honestly don't think there are any rb's out there without some bit of soy product.

Just know that it isn't the protein It's an ingredient - alf, soy, oats, etc. Some horses are even allergic to flax. Sometimes this allergy manifests as welts, hives, what you typically think of as an allergic reaction. But other times it manifests as the horse being "hot".

[mapmackey]

Originally Posted by LRHenneman

The first ingredient listed on the labed was alfalfa. I didn't check for soy. I had to get the literature to find out that the protein level in the RB for horses on a grass hay diet was 32 percent. It was less in the RB for horses on an alflafa-based diet. I didn't look for soy in the literature. It's amazing how many people and now animals are allergic to soy, myself included.

Lani

Because it is legislated that ingredients be listed in order of amount on human foods, we assume that it is the same for animal feeds. It is not. I went to a Purina seminar and the rep told us that they do not have to list them that way and that they do not list in order of amount. He said it was so that other feed companies could not "reverse engineer" their product.

So, I wouldn't assume that the first ingredient is the highest quantity.

[Dawn]

It is a federal law that they be listed in order of inclusion. Is that always followed? Perhaps not. But it is what is supposed to be done. And with 'national' brands, you can bet they're in order.

Originally Posted by mapmackey

Because it is legislated that ingredients be listed in order of amount on human foods, we assume that it is the same for animal feeds. It is not. I went to a Purina seminar and the rep told us that they do not have to list them that way and that they do not list in order of amount. He said it was so that other feed companies could not "reverse engineer" their product.

So, I wouldn't assume that the first ingredient is the highest quantity.

[Dawn]

Oh, just wanted to add. This is an old thread, but a good one. And I think it is a good source of info (and debating).

[bugsys22575]

Originally Posted by Dawn

Oh, just wanted to add. This is an old thread, but a good one. And I think it is a good source of info (and debating).

Hahahaha!! I did not even notice!! Hey, I'm thankful it surfaced!!! I have learned A LOT from this one!!

[WildHorseSpirit]

I just went by what my vet said. And with the fact my horses are Mustangs I kinda have to agree they just don't need a whole lot for nutritional needs.

[Dawn]

Originally Posted by WildHorseSpirit

I just went by what my vet said. And with the fact my horses are Mustangs I kinda have to agree they just don't need a whole lot for nutritional needs.

Actually the 'average' mustang has evolved to live on a low calorie but very high nutrition diet. So your logic that does not hold true.