preventing abcesses before they happen

[FjordBCRF]

@JB - Makes sense!

To start with the CT, he was just getting the pellets; it looked like he was eating some but there were def leftovers. He’s an easy keeper (fjord) and is on pasture 12-14 hours/day plus free access to hay in his stall so no grain or anything to mix it with. I soaked them yesterday and put a bit of molasses and oil in and baked the water back out but it wasn’t enough to make it enticing. I was thinking maybe hay pellets or beet pulp next? He doesn’t need to put on any weight so I don’t want make sure I keep that in mind. I also read that horses love fenugreek and was also thing about mixing the pellets in oil with some of the spice. Im open to suggestions hahaha.

[lenapesadie]

@FjordBCRF

@JB - Makes sense!

To start with the CT, he was just getting the pellets; it looked like he was eating some but there were def leftovers. He’s an easy keeper (fjord) and is on pasture 12-14 hours/day plus free access to hay in his stall so no grain or anything to mix it with. I soaked them yesterday and put a bit of molasses and oil in and baked the water back out but it wasn’t enough to make it enticing. I was thinking maybe hay pellets or beet pulp next? He doesn’t need to put on any weight so I don’t want make sure I keep that in mind. I also read that horses love fenugreek and was also thing about mixing the pellets in oil with some of the spice. Im open to suggestions hahaha.

My mom’s horses eat their minerals with alfalfa pellets. Timothy pellets don’t cut it for them. Maybe try some tasty alfalfa pellets if they aren’t too rich for him.

[JB]

a cup of beep, soaked to expand, makes a nice size serving for most supplements. And assuming shreds, that’s around 1/9th lb so not much more than about 100-150 calories.

[tikihorse2]

@JB

Duh! :lol: It’s funny because you might be the first person I’ve ever seen/heard equate Sr feeds with low sugar. For some reason it always seems to be the opposite!

@JB I’m a little confused. A lot of people think senior feeds are high sugar? Could you please explain this? Thanks.

[JB]

I don’t have an explanation. It’s simply my experience that a lot of people say “don’t feed a senior feed, they are high sugar” shrug

[tikihorse2]

@JB

I don’t have an explanation. It’s simply my experience that a lot of people say “don’t feed a senior feed, they are high sugar” shrug

Huh. I’ve been a member of COTH since 2002 or 2003, actually; my time onboard got messed up somehow during one of the updates/migrations. Thus, I’ve read a lot on here about IR, Cushings, various trends in feeds, and so on. I was even around for the "Your horse needs a salad every day!’ member. :lol: Remember her? I think she didn’t believe in vaccinations, either.

Anyway, I do think that a good senior feed that IS low in sugar and starches is better for my horse. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. He’s been doing so well since I changed him over. The BO has changed her horses over to senior feed, too.

YMMV.

[JB]

Yep, feed salads daily! Ok…

GOOD feeds are lower in NSC. Use something higher if the horse needs it.