[Snowywood]

Can I get some name of low protein grain, I feed 10% now. I would like to go lower for some of my horses but can't find any that is lower

[Abbie22057]

You probably won't find anything lower unless you go with plain oats or something. That's not a very balanced ration. I would just cut the grain out for those who don't need as much protein. Good quality hay should provide all the protein they need if 10% is too much.

Out of curiosity...why do they need less protein?

[Cntrysass20]

You really wont find lower. Beet Pulp is lower. Grass hays are lower. Grains tend to be higher. Just curious, why do you need to lower it? Jessie

[Blistering Winds]

Why do you want lower protein? Too little protein and you harm your horses?

What is it you are trying to accomplish? To make a complete feed yourself, let me know what you are trying to accomplish, what you want to feed, and I can give you the maintenance amounts that you need to feed, according to National Standards.

[Snowywood]

I have a horse that is a very picky eater, won't eat oats, apples, beet pulp so forth and so on. She's needs about 6 lb of 10% sweet feed to keep her weight up but she is extremely energetic on that and I was thinking that if I could cut out some of the protein or sugar she would calm down some.I've tried slowly mixing oats or beet pulp with her sweet feed but she refuses to eat it when its mixed with other feed. She also has heaves, so some times I can't ride her for weeks, so she gets rode then she doesn't so I have to keep adapting her food

[Shotgun93]

Have you tried feeding bran or oil? Those can help keep weight on with out adding a lot of "hot" attitude. The bran isn't really noticable, we just water it down with the feed and even our picky eaters will eat it.

[Blistering Winds]

NO NO NO. Protein is actually not much "ENERGY". It is CARBS that is used mostly for energy. But cut too many carbs, and you end up having other health problems.

Instead of Sweet Feed, feed a pelleted feed. They have 10% protein pellets. Add Veggie oil to it if she needs the extra FAT, but fat can also be used for energy as well.

The biggest thing is TRAINING. Do not use FEED to control your horses attitude. I see too many sick horses these days because people cut their feed back to where their horses are controllable, then their horses are SKIN AND BONES, yet the owners are happy. Then when the horses gain weight back, the horses are still nuts because now they feel better again.

How old is this horse? Breed?

How much turn-out?

If you don't like a horse with this much energy, and you are feeding minimum already, then I highly suggest getting a new horse. Many people HATE to hear that, but reality of it is, horses personality is SET. You can manage them, but if you get a horse who is programmed to GO GO GO , then you cannot change that. Training is KEY. So either enlist a trainer to help TRAIN this horse to behave, or acquire a new horse.

Try going to a 10% pelleted feed.

How much hay does she eat? Up the hay and cut back the grain if possible.

[Snowywood]

I don't mind her being energetic personally. How ever I am the only one in the family that can ride her comfortablely with out being scared of her energy. She is a seven year old aqh 15.3 and weighs about 1200 lb. When she is able to be ridden I ride her about 6 to 15 miles a day 6 days a week and she is just as energetic at the end as she is in the beginning. She will stand in one place on loose rein and dance. She wants to go that bad. I had thought to lease her out to someone who endurance race because I thought that she would make a good one due to her energy but then she got heaves. She is turned out 24/7 when I am not riding her.

[Dawn]

This does sound more like a training issue. Even a horse that's 'rearing to go' should be disciplined enough to stand. What kind of hay do you use?

[Super_Trooper]

I agree it can be training too, BUT there are feeds that will make your horse "hot", it happens.