New yearling filly has arrived from Canada! She’s so lovely she takes my breath. When she got her PPE vet was impressed with her body condition for her aqe/stage. I admit I am as well.
Seller/breeder had her on whole oats, whole brown flax, vitamin/mineral supplement and supplemented milled green peas… I’ve duplicated all of this except the milled peas which I’ve come to understand is used a lot in Europe, but not so much here, Does anyone use them? I’d like to add them, but am having a hard time finding any. Of course there is ‘buy regular dried split peas’ from the grocery store…but of course costly to purchase in those smaller amounts. Anyone who orders or uses them let me know your source and shelf life to expect? Filly will be only one on them, as her pal is a mini and obviously doesn’t need em! **(Please keep to topic question? I may indeed upon any vet recommendations adjust/change/use a ration balancer at a later date but want to try them for now) thanks!!!
What do you want from the peas? Can you get that from other feed? I understand peas are high in protein, they are used in fast food veggie burgers in Canada. I would suggest checking the protein and nutrients in peas and seeing what more available feed approximates the profile. What about alfalfa?
yes, I’m sure I can look into other things . I know peas are also high in lysine, Just wanted to try adding them if I can find a good source for ordering them.
They are being pushed in Canada for the Beyond Meat fast food products but I haven’t seen them in feed stores here
Here is horse feed in Alberta
You really need to know how many pounds/kg of the peas she was getting. Sometimes they’re given “just because” but in amounts that don’t make a difference
Peas are an alternative protein source, but also come with more starch
What v/m supplement?
Personally, I’d just use a high quality ration balancer
I’d keep the flax if she’s not getting any or enough fresh grass, and if the grass in the pic is her pasture, I’d definitely keep the flax, whole or “ground” (freshly ground each meal OR one of the several flax products that are actually milled (sliced) which preserves the Omega 3)
So all the milled peas for horses I life can find are based in Alberta. That makes sense. I expect a bunch of farmers jumped on to supplying the Beyond Meat company whose sales have now plateaued (turns out there aren’t infinite numbers of vegans eating at A & W). So alternate marketing. Did your filly come from Alberta? Or Europe?
Horse feed is very dependent everywhere on local availability and cost. They feed haylage in Britain which we don’t do in North America. Hay variety and cost varies widely across North America, I’ve never even seen coastal Bermuda grass. I can’t get a really comprehensive ration balancer in my market, or most of the American brands I read about on COTH.
So I expect that the peas were a pragmatic local choice, but not because they were the Best Thing Ever magic ingredient. Peas seem interesting as a feed, not knocking them, but I don’t think you need to go through hell and high water to source them if they aren’t sold local to you. Peas are a completely new feed option in Canada, and I never heard of them until after the Beyond Meat boom and flatline
pix is one sacrifice area with minis non grass run/area behind it. Filly’s grass turnouts are very lush and healthy (to the extent I was concerned with her exposure all at once and worked her hours on it gradually at first)
again----I will most likely transition her to a ration balancer at a point but simply wanted to try using her current feed given as I appreciate her exceptional body score . I know exactly her daily ration given: one cup whole oats, vitamin mineral supplement to age needs, one half cup flax, one half cup milled peas. really wanted input from those who used the peas and their sources for them.
thanks scribbler. yes, filly shipped from alberta. I will just keep evaluating sources to try them for now.
fairly common diet lately in the Canadian prairies, I have used it as I can get peas/flax/oats direct from my neighbouring farmers. In my case I used peas as a protein source as three of my mares (mother and daughters) are reactive on soy and had plain grass hay, nothing wrong with using soy or alfalfa instead. I did find the peas were a big hit taste wise so would likely be a good choice for a picky eater. Friend of mine made cooked mash of whole peas for her one mare who was doing poorly and it did pack the weight on quickly - do need to be well cooked or milled or it’s like giving then a bucket of rocks.
Our feed supplier has cull peas and ground as well as pellets. They have always been very helpful to us maybe you can figure something out with them? N. Idaho location.
1c oats and 1/2c peas is busy food, not supplying much of anything, so extra not worth jumping through hoops to try to source 
JeeZE oh PEAS! JB— I have a NEW yearling filly…she’s been removed from her wonderful Canada life of huge open range living for acres with playmates and the only life she knew to a hideous long traumatic journey for ANY age horse…to a tiny Virginia farmette with only a mini for her single friend, new to stalling, new to everything…she’s been pretty stressed and not eating well, and I want to make as much less NEW as possible especially where her palate is concerned and she did enjoy her bit of peas I’m told…
I already said I’d be consulting my own vet, getting recommendations, I JUST wanted to try to duplicate what works for her for NOW. Is that ok?
for half a cup I would just go to the bulk food store and put them thru a coffee grinder in the short term
just an aside note: bill of sale stipulated she ship with packaged rations for transitioning. seller breeder packaged and put in trailer herself said rations.
there were 15 once a day pkgs. transfer paperwork had highlighted these to arrive with her as well. to the tune of 5,500.00 for shipping she arrived with none. already very dissapointed in that breech of expensive agreement.
yup. thanks sherian will do if need be,of course
Not all, the 4 1/2 month old weanling we had shipped the thousand miles from North Dakota to a national show where we were to picked him up. Since he was there he was entered in a in hand class just for the experience. He won that national class scoring high enough to be the world champion beating over thirty in hand sport horses,
he acts as if he has done all this before, a real pleasure to hand
just turn one a few weeks ago
As a note milled peas have a three shelf live
Sorry it went a little sideways, that happens sometimes and your frustration was tangible as things slid. I didn’t know where you were so unfortunately I’m no help!
of course I stand corrected—I meant that journey CAN be difficult for many horses much older as well. she trailered short trips twice before just fine. but she did arrive stressed after this long one from Alberta and 5 night stay at holding facility in Ontario.
Came back to say she’s gorgeous; if she was in my pasture I’d want to keep her very happy too! Congrats on a real nice horse, peas or no peas!
awe. thanks so much. I sure appreciate it. Lost my heart horse in february…and really didn’t know if I could give my heart again (besides not being young anymore either) and while he’ll never be replaced, I needed something to get up every morning for…Her barn name is Deja…(as in Deja Vu)
