I apologize, I know this similar topic has been posted often on the “net”. I am somewhat going against vet’s advice, so I am looking for opinions.
I have a 25 yr old ottb (chestnut mare- yep- she knows what she wants & doesn’t).
For a few years I have been going back and forth. She LOVED hay…then basically one week did not. I’ve had multiple vets check her teeth, because knowing my horse…I think she has one/some? bad teeth. Maybe no one has found “the one”?
The vets always look, say she has a few points, nothing major, but she doesn’t seem to like her timothy hay. I’ve tried different suppliers- nope.
One time she had her teeth floated- a bad tooth and that night I found it in her grain bucket, but she didn’t eat anymore hay. She’s had bloodwork a few times - perfect.
I started feeding her forage extender from Poulin- soaked. She LOVES IT. LOVES, BEGS! The vet said to back off, why would she eat hay if I give her that? Vet thinks I spoiler her- maybe? Lol She started dropping weight.
She does eat some hay- probably 5 flakes a day. No matter how much I give to her, smaller meals- no difference. She moves what she doesn’t want to the back of her stall and pees on it.
She also gets 1 cup Amplify AM & PM, and Poulins Fibre Max. She gets a lot of grain, and loves it.
Vet asked if she eats grass? Yes, loves it, then vet thinks she should be a big girl and eat her hay. At 25 now, I’ve decided, I want her fat & sassy.
Opinions on timothy/alfalfa pellets vs cubes for fiber? Or should I stick with the Poulin forage extender?
Obviously my local Poulin rep is all about the extender and tons of it!
What are your opinions? Thanks in advance!