I’ve never heard of anyone using wheatgerm oil. What are the benefits or reasons one would feed it? Just curious 
Hold on and I’ll get back to you, lol. I’m going out to the barn to feed everyone, and I’ll take a look at all our feed sacks and write down the info on em all and report back =D
(I began using wheatgerm oil because what we feed, is what my trainer feeds, but also because I believe it has a high dosage of fat and helps keep them in a good coat, like hair quality and shine. The hair thing is true, but I’m not entirely positive about the fat thing, so I’ll check it out and get back to yah!)
Mkay to fill you in on wheat germ oil, there are very good reasons why we feed it. =) Just like I thought, it is super high in fat with a crude fat of 95%! Wow! Which is why they only get a small amount in their dinner feed only, and we usually only feed it whenever I’m really working them hard, but with the stallion, he works himself hard all the time anyways, so adding that to his diet could help. It also is a source of omega 3 and 6, as well as, vitamin A, D3, and E. =D All good things, just super expensive.
All of the feed we buy, I noticed, is really high in crude protein. Grain Pellets were the lowest at CP 13% and I imagine our Rice bran is the highest, but I couldn’t find a sack of that.
Tonight at feeding, because of this thread, I just spent a little extra time with the ole man. He’s so sweet =) very much a true gentleman that escorts you/me to the “door” (gate) and waits until you walk away before he turns and goes back to his hay. He’s also incredibly goofy! Now I wouldn’t let just any stallion do this to me, but I trust him a ton. He likes to put his teeth/gums on your arm and just fake nibble on you lol. Never bites down at all, its really like a goofy arm massage lol!!
I knew a stallion that liked to nibble…I called them “teeth kisses” lol
As for your oil, all the standard vegetable oils are pure fat. They may vary in the percentage of vitamins or ratios of Omega 3:6, but they all are 100% fat and the same number of calories per serving. All oils should add shine to the coat. Most oils contain Vit E in some amount.
Also, the amount of Omega 3s and 6s is not as important as the ratio between the two. The American diet is extremely high in Omega 6s and lacking Omega 3s. This can lead to inflammation and all kinds of other things. I believe the ideal ratio is 1:3 but I can’t remember if that is for people or horses 
Omega 3 is often lacking in stabled horses who aren’t grazing on fresh green grass and are typically getting grain (most grains have too much Omega 6 and throw the ratio out of whack).
I sometimes put ground wheatgerm in my morning oatmeal and I know it has several vitamins and minerals but I had no idea whether those are present in any significant amount in the oil. That’s why I was asking.
Your mention of protein reminded me that my vet strongly recommends extra protein for the older horses. This went strongly against what I knew from working in small animal medicine (protein is hard on the kidneys and aging dogs and cats often suffer from reduced kidney function). However, I tried it with 2 of my aging ladies and it really does help. Turns out the older horses really have a hard time building/maintaining muscle and the boost from the protein can help in many areas.
I bought soybean meal, which was about the same price as other feeds ($17/ 50lb bag) and it’s like 47% protein! Plus you can feed less than many other feeds so it lasts a long time (that cheap lady should love that)! My vet said to start with 1 cup per feeding and gradually increase up to a couple pounds a day. I never made it past 3 cups twice a day but it sure did help them put on weight.
[QUOTE=TrinitySporthorses;5970219]
I bought soybean meal, which was about the same price as other feeds ($17/ 50lb bag) and it’s like 47% protein! Plus you can feed less than many other feeds so it lasts a long time (that cheap lady should love that)! My vet said to start with 1 cup per feeding and gradually increase up to a couple pounds a day. I never made it past 3 cups twice a day but it sure did help them put on weight.[/QUOTE]
I will have to call up our COOP today and ask about that, but my feeling is, is that since they are out of practically everything due to the drought, I’m not going to bank on them having it. They didn’t have rice bran Friday =/ and almost all of Nov. they were out of beet pulp, gah that was crazy!
Just wanted to comment with an update of this guy. Today, about an hour and a half ago, he left for his new home where he’ll get to live out his days just being an old fart. He won’t have to worry about trying to settle mares or go riding, he just gets to be a horse. Thankfully, he’ll finally get some high quality Senior feed just for him. I am so happy, but I am definately going to miss that old man. Thanks to everyone who helped me out =)
:yes: that’d the solution I was hoping for!
At 24 he’s far from old for an Arab, he could easily be around another 10 - 20 years & go on to another career once they sort out his teeth & bring him back into condition.
He’s actually 25, to be 26 this summer, but yes, he definately has a ton of life left in him! I hope I will be able to keep in contact with the people who have him now, I’d love to see how he looks in a year from now. I almost wonder if his nutrition and health pick up, if his fertility might pick up. Do you think that’s possible? I know those things have a ton to do with fertility, but I also know his age is a factor…
