We don’t use salt/mineral blocks. Some foals lick them too much and get loose poop and we also can’t know if they are getting what they need. We use Apple A Day and other supplements for the ones that need it. That way I know their intake.
[QUOTE=ise@ssl;5882197]
We don’t use salt/mineral blocks. Some foals lick them too much and get loose poop and we also can’t know if they are getting what they need. We use Apple A Day and other supplements for the ones that need it. That way I know their intake.[/QUOTE]
I get frustrated when I am in the feed store and someone is all proud of themselves because they bought a salt block with mineral for their horses. As you suggested above, the horse would have to overdose on salt before they would even get close to the amount of mineral required. The amount of mineral that I feed loose confirms for me that they need large amounts and the salt with mineral in it is just an expensive salt block.
There are blocks without the salt but I also wonder how they can get the amount they need off of it, especially the young ones.
I used to feed this
http://www.futurityprecise.com/products/1103_HoofHealth_Tub.pdf
and was very pleased, until they stopped making it.
Eight horses or 3 horsess and my flock of goats would consume 50 lbs a week.
I have yet to find a suitable replacement
if you can get this:
This is meant to be put out in pasture (for either pasture grass or hay). It is loose and needs to be under a weatherproof hood or what-not. You put out a one week supply. And most horses WILL self adjust (too much or too little) in about a week. It has salt in it as well.
http://www.prognutrition.com/fpgoldformula.html
Horses pee out the excess protein…so if you have them stalled be prepared to spend some time dealing with more amonia smell …and also, because the excess is peed out an oldie with liver or kidney problems~ should not be getting high protein, it will make their liver/kidneys work harder… For youngsters…as long as they are getting plenty of calories from other sources ie: hay…the protein will not hurt…Ive never seen or read literature to show any ‘damage’ to young healthy horses. Ive heard plenty of people say its bad but Ive never seen the proof.
I edit to add; since this is cOTH…I feel I need to add that Im not starting a protein argument…just stating that Ive personally never seen the literature to support that its bad.
[QUOTE=carolprudm;5882304]
I used to feed this
http://www.futurityprecise.com/products/1103_HoofHealth_Tub.pdf
and was very pleased, until they stopped making it.
Eight horses or 3 horsess and my flock of goats would consume 50 lbs a week.
I have yet to find a suitable replacement[/QUOTE]
I love the idea of this but the molasses scares me because of the sugar for young ones.
