Feed Recommendations - 2 y/o WB from Canada

[theresak]

I have a 2 year old warmblood that’s probably about 16+ hands coming from Canada to the US. I need to switch his feed since we don’t have the same Purina products in US that they feed him now.

Per seller, he’s getting fed 2x per day:
1 scoop (2-3 lbs?) Purina Juvenile (I think it’s Evolution Juvenile)
2-3 cups (1 lb?) Purina Optimal (ration balancer)
Free choice hay
10 hours on grass

I can’t find the NSC or calories/lb of the Purina Evolution Juvenile, but Purina Junior in the US is 17% NSC and 1350 calories.

He’s going to be out 24/7 on grass at my barn and will only be getting grain 1x per day.

I’d prefer not to use Purina products because I don’t think they are a fixed formula company. However, I can easily get Purina. I can also get some Buckeye feeds and Tribute.

I’d like to switch him to Gro-N-Win as the ration balancer but am unsure what else to use to make up the calorie difference. I was debating trying alfalfa pellets and some oil, or I could get Ultimate Finish 25 or 40 or even Cool Calories. But I’d like something low NSC to match the Purina Juvenile he’s getting now.

I’m limited to a total serving of ~4 lbs of grain total since he’ll only be getting fed once per day.

[cutter99]

Be aware that Purina in Canada is not the same as Purina in the U.S. Purina in the U.S. is owned by Land ‘O Lakes and Purina in Canada is owned by Cargill. They are two different corporations, and formulas are not the same.

[JB]

Regardless of formulas, it doesn’t matter what’s in CN, as that isn’t what’s available in the US.

I would want to know his body condition on that amount of feed now.

But also, going to 24x7 grass turnout may make a big difference in his extra calorie needs. TBH, I’d start with just a ration balancer - 2-3lb depending on which one you use, and his expected mature weight. 3lb for Tribute Essential K (because its nutritional profile is lower than most), or 2-2.5lb for Purina or Buckeye.

Of those 3 brands, I’d go with the Buckeye Grow N Win. Quality is higher than Purina Enrich, and it’s more nutrient-dense than Tribute Essential K.

You can add a few pounds of alfalfa pellets for some additional calories.

If you find you really need fairly significant calories, then Tribute Growth Pelleted (not textured) is ok.

Purina Ultium Growth (the Ultium line is fixed-ingredient), would be fine…

For Buckeye, the Safe n Easy Senior (yes ) textured is nice at only 12% NSC, is a good option. Note that the Growth Pelleted is a whopping 25% NSC, so I’d never recommend that :no:

I find it hysterical that the Growth Textured “sweet feed” is a bit lower NSC than the Pelleted :lol:

So those are my suggestions based on what you’ve described.

[Scribbler]

I would suggest giving him a bit of time to adjust to the new grass, which could be similar or different, depending on where in Canada/ where in the US. From Ontario to New Jersey, probably not a big difference. From Alberta to Florida, huge difference in grass, climate, everything. Make sure he isn’t getting diarrhea, etc from the new grass species. Then after a week or so, just add on the ration balancer that makes sense. Maybe slowly, build up to recommended amount.

You can always stop a horse’s grain without any digestion problems, and then you can slowly add on whatever you want.

Then you can see how he does and figure out the calories of your choice if necessary.

[theresak]

Thanks JB and Scribbler, I think I have a tentative plan.

He’s coming from Ontario (south of Toronto) to Wisconsin, so not a huge difference.

The breeder will cut him back to just the Purina RB before transport and send some for the feed transition, which I’ll probably do over a week to get him on the Gro-N-Win.

He’ll also spend a few days in a paddock with sparser grass than the pasture he’ll be in eventually so he can get used to being out 24/7. I’ll also give him a few days of Nexium as a preventative.

I’ve got pictures of the breeder’s pasture and it is lush and green right now, pretty similar to what our pastures look like. Of course, I can’t identify specific grass types, etc.

He looks in good weight right now and is lean (which I prefer for young horses) without looking scrawny or having a potbelly. I guess I’m just a bit worried of him dropping weight from the stress of travel and the new environment and having a hard time catching his weight back up.

[JB]

He may drop some weight from the travel, but unless it’s enormous, I wouldn’t worry. It shouldn’t take him long to transition to your full pasture, since he’s already accustomed to 10 hours.

Can you get some Nexium (or equivalent) on board before he ships? That might help a lot.

[DarkBayUnicorn]

Most grazing in Southern Ontario is pretty good May-early October if the pasture is well maintained and large enough to support the herd grazing it. A lot of young WB stock is raised without any concentrates beyond a ration balancer. The soil itself is deficient in selenium here, though.