This is true. I’ve also been very worried.
We went through a lousy year like this a while back (in that case, the cause was too much rain rather than too little) and it was rough. I did bump up grain feeds to make sure nutritional needs were being met, and supplemented with pellets and cubes, but it certainly wasn’t ideal.
You do have your work cut out for you, OP, starting in with horses in a year like this!
Awesome! Alfalfa pellets are in the range of 3c/lb, so don’t be afraid to feed a couple pounds if needed
try hayexchange.com and see what’s in neighboring states. Talk to local barns and see who might want to go in on a truck load of hay
It depends on how much of the One you end up feeding. If you feed according to the directions, then you don’t necessarily need the balancer. If you’re feeding on the lower end of the recommended amount, and hay is still low quality, and you can’t really increase the One because of calories, then I’d add (back) the 1/2-1lb of the balancer for the nutrition
what did you use?
I dewormed with Equimax tonight. I picked up a second cut bale and mixed it in with our other stuff. She ate around it but Im sure she’ll get used to it again. Just have to make due until February when I can move her into a boarding barn.
You can find copper sulfate and zinc methionine sold individually. I have a large dark bay gelding and his feet and coat look better with the extra copper and zinc. I’m feeding a tsp of copper and 1/2 tsp of zinc daily, and have been for years. I get mine through a guy that does minerals for goats actually.
My copper and zinc are part of a “Pat Colby” mix though the zinc is an addition to the “original” recipe. But I find copper sold alone at tractor supply and the zinc methionine is occasionally found online.
I feed the mineral mix on top of his full serving of Triple Crown Senior. We live in a high iron area which increases the need for additional zinc and copper.
Best of luck to you and your new horse!
polysaccharide copper and p-zinc are easily found through many shops online.
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