Posted 2015-05-14 10:46 AM Subject: Feeding Fat and Protein
Veteran
Posts: 262
I'm changing my horse's feed now that he'll be going out on pasture 24/7. Our pasture is a timothy mix. I've also ordered T.H.E Muscle Mass with ulcer prevent and joint/arthritis added into it.
I need help determining what grain to put him on. And the research is overwhelming so I thought I'd check see what type of grains you feed your horse and your fat and protein amounts. I was thinking a textured feed of 12% protein and 6% fat. I'll also be top dressing with a little (1/4-1/2 c) vegetable oil to make the supplement stick and add a bit of shine.
My horse is worked 5 days a week alternating trail riding, arena work, and competitions.
Posted 2015-05-14 11:31 AM Subject: RE: Feeding Fat and Protein
Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
I think it depends on a couple other factors. I'm new here, so maybe others know this and I don't.
How big is your pasture and how many horses are grazing on it? Is this horse an easy keeper or not?
I ask because if your pasture has plenty of grass and your horse is an easy keeper, I'd consider feeding just a supplement to make sure your horse is getting whatever he needs nutritionally. But if he's the kind that will stay plenty fat on 24/7 grass, I think supplements, oil and a higher fat content feed are probably overkill.
I have 3 horses that go back and forth between 2, ~6 acres each, pastures. 1 is retired, and gets no grain. I have mineral and salt blocks in the pastures he licks sometimes. The other two get ridden 2-5 times/week depending on the time. Both easy keepers. They don't get grain in the summer. They just get 1 cup each Enrich 32 and their joint supplement/allergy med or whatever they may need. They both are easy keepers as well, so their pasture is enough to keep a good weight on them with their workload. If we have an unusually hot summer where they sweat off more, or I ride more, or show/haul more, and I see their weight start to fall off, I just add some rice bran to their "feed" for a month or so, and then stop when they are fat again. If they kept teter tottering, I'd keep them on the rice bran, but they haven't done that.
Feeding Fat and Protein
