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Hungarian Midget Woman
  
Location: Midwest | For those of you that feed whole oats, are you bothered by the high NSC %?
Why or why not? |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | no,
it's a very small part of my feed program. 2-3lbs a day
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I'm not, because I'm only feeding 3-5 lbs a day, total, and that is spread out.
My mare is only getting 3 lbs in a 24 hour period, because she's getting it in Omnis. My two big geldings are getting 1 lb in a scoop twice a day with rice bran, on top of Omnis, for the extra calories. They look great and are actually calmer. |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
 
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | Nope, oats a just a 'medium' in my barn. Everyone gets about 2lbs max daily. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | barrelracr131 - 2016-01-07 9:07 AM For those of you that feed whole oats, are you bothered by the high NSC %?
Why or why not?
I was wondering the same. I switched from a commerical feed over the summer to a custom milled mix from the local mill. Its primarily oat based and I was concerned about the starch also. My horses only get grain once a day....one gets 2 lbs and the other 1 lb so I guess it really doesn't need to be a concern in those small amounts. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I have a horse that I suspect has insulin resistance so he gets a small scoop of soaked alfalfa/beet pellets soaked to add his supplement into. He is so beyond hog fat that he doesn't been any grain. So his is literally just about a cup full to cover his supplements. He won't get any oats because I steer clear of any sugars and starches if I can. He'll also come in when the spring grass comes.
I do keep Woody's oats on hand because they are the cleanest I have found, but they go to the broodmares when I want to check them. Usually an every other day schedule and it is just to get them to come running to the pick up when I honk the horn. It's about the only way when you keep them in huge pastures. Plus I can farmer then into one pasture or another by having them trail the pick up knowing they will always get a snack. I bet they don't get a 1/2 coffee can apiece though. I do the same to the gelding pasture to get them checked or bring them to the house if it is too cold to trail them in on a 4 wheeler.
I have started to steer clear of most grains myself. Between the contaminated feed, the cost and the poor quality it just makes more sense to feed soaked alfalfa/beet pellets. I do use Amplify if I need to really put weight on one that is struggling, but that is usually only the really old ones. My weanlings will get Ultium Growth until April grass and the old pony gets Senior Active with his soaked mush.
I have just had excellent luck upping the quantity of their mush if I feel they are being ridden harder and could use more weight. No side affects either-hot etc. |
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I'm not concerned about it. I feed less than a scoop a day and it's only used to mix my Cur-OST in. I don't think oats (or any grain for that matter) should be fed in high quantities. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 274
| I have fed Oats for years...especially my running horses...this is what they get from 2 scoops a day (approx 4lbs) on up to 6 scoops a day, depending on the horse.
I feel that oats where made for a horse. It keeps their liver, pancreas, and kidney's clean. Without a clean system and horse can not preform to its top ability. I only add supplements if needed per the horse.
I keep minerals out for them 24/7, along with a coastal hay in front of them.
It amazes me how 15 years ago a whole grain feeding program was taboo, everyone wanted to feed Purina Omelene or some "complete" feed....now everyone is steering clear of these feeds and going with a whole grain. The equine world is full of fabs....so many people jump on a band wagon without any justification of the things they do. They do because 'Ms. & Mr. Aster' is doing. ..... (ill get off my soap box now, sorry for my little rant)
yet, to answer the question....I have never had a problem feeding oats... i have had problems with complete feeds over and over and over.
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | No, for 2 reasons. I don't feed a large amount of them, less than 5lbs spread out over the day. Second, compared to grains like corn and barley, they are significantly more digestable. And thus won't cause any issues in the gut unless the horse has a particular sensitivity. |
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Warriors Mom - 2016-01-07 10:17 AM
I have fed Oats for years...especially my running horses...this is what they get from 2 scoops a day (approx 4lbs) on up to 6 scoops a day, depending on the horse.
I feel that oats where made for a horse. It keeps their liver, pancreas, and kidney's clean. Without a clean system and horse can not preform to its top ability. I only add supplements if needed per the horse.
I keep minerals out for them 24/7, along with a coastal hay in front of them.
It amazes me how 15 years ago a whole grain feeding program was taboo, everyone wanted to feed Purina Omelene or some "complete" feed....now everyone is steering clear of these feeds and going with a whole grain. The equine world is full of fabs....so many people jump on a band wagon without any justification of the things they do. They do because 'Ms. & Mr. Aster' is doing. ..... (ill get off my soap box now, sorry for my little rant)
yet, to answer the question....I have never had a problem feeding oats... i have had problems with complete feeds over and over and over.
I agree with you. I was growing up 15 years ago, so I didn't know any better, just that oats were bad mojo. Well, after some serious problems with ulcers, and processed feed, I got to guinea pigging.
I was down to alfalfa and rice bran, and having good results, less ulcers. Something was lacking though, and I was having a hard time putting a real finish on my race bred horses.
Feeling like I was holding one foot over a cliff, I went with Omnis, which has some oats in it. Umm wow. 6 weeks later I was jumping for joy. I added a few more oats, and they look ready for a sale or something. PLUS, they're healthy, calm, and happy, instead of full of ulcers and nervous problems. I just can't beat it and won't be going back after 90 days of oats, alfalfa, and rice bran. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Just curious
I have fed both commercial feeds and whole grains with success.
just looking for opinions on the topic |
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| We feed 30+ horses oats 2x daily, and no the NSC % does not bother me for the same reason everyone else mentioned. We've been doing this as long as I remember and we have never had any issues. Our elevator mixes us batches with oil and mineral. They always feel great and I haven't had issues with my horses getting hot. |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | No, because my horse won't eat anything else and doesn't stay on the low starch. His appetite stays good on oats. |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | When I was a kid we always feed our sows oats as the feed company's said that is was good for their stomachs. Keep them from have issues with their stomachs because of limited feed intake. Mine all get fed about 4# of oats a day mixed with all their other basic feed needs. |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | No. I measure by weight according to needs. I.e. working, pasture ornament, broodmare. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | SmokinGirlie - 2016-01-07 8:23 AM
Nope, oats a just a 'medium' in my barn. Everyone gets about 2lbs max daily.
Same here. My guy gets slightly less than 1.5lbs (full scoop) in the am, and less than a pound in the evening. The evening oats are purely bc he is currently on a loading dose of CurOst.
Once he goes to the maintenance dose he'll be back to just once a day. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Warriors Mom - 2016-01-07 10:17 AM I have fed Oats for years...especially my running horses...this is what they get from 2 scoops a day (approx 4lbs) on up to 6 scoops a day, depending on the horse. I feel that oats where made for a horse. It keeps their liver, pancreas, and kidney's clean. Without a clean system and horse can not preform to its top ability. I only add supplements if needed per the horse. I keep minerals out for them 24/7, along with a coastal hay in front of them. It amazes me how 15 years ago a whole grain feeding program was taboo, everyone wanted to feed Purina Omelene or some "complete" feed....now everyone is steering clear of these feeds and going with a whole grain. The equine world is full of fabs....so many people jump on a band wagon without any justification of the things they do. They do because 'Ms. & Mr. Aster' is doing. ..... (ill get off my soap box now, sorry for my little rant) yet, to answer the question....I have never had a problem feeding oats... i have had problems with complete feeds over and over and over.
Purina's marketing on feeding your horse junk. People need to eat clean and so do horses. |
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Location: northeast | Glad someone posted this! Was thinking of switching over to oats and alfalfa pellets from Nutrena Safechoice original! What type of oats are best to feed? I know its trial by error but do oats make a horse hot? |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Junior - 2016-01-10 4:12 PM Glad someone posted this! Was thinking of switching over to oats and alfalfa pellets from Nutrena Safechoice original! What type of oats are best to feed? I know its trial by error but do oats make a horse hot?
As long as they weren't mixed with molasses, they never made my horse hot. |
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| I feed the triple clean race horse oats. Add Renew Gold and her CurOst supplements. Feed Alfalfa Hay and Timothey free choice. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | I've never had oats make a horse hot.. Remember all oats are not equal (it's a whole grain, growing conditions can affect the weight of the grain and quality). But good clean oats someone mention steamed crimped and I've fed the steam rolled as well (which look and smell like dry oatmeal.
Weigh your grain at least randomly so you actually know what they are getting.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 352
Location: Texas | barrelracr131 - 2016-01-10 5:56 PM
Junior - 2016-01-10 4:12 PM Glad someone posted this! Was thinking of switching over to oats and alfalfa pellets from Nutrena Safechoice original! What type of oats are best to feed? I know its trial by error but do oats make a horse hot?
As long as they weren't mixed with molasses, they never made my horse hot.
In general I'd say no, it doesn't make my horses hot, but there is this ONE mare I have. If I feed her oats she turns into a crazed lunatic (which on normal occasions she is just a lunatic).  So I take her reaction with a few grains of salt and a some lime. |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| We decided try switching to whole oats, but ours refused to eat them. We started out mixing their Omolene in to start the switch, but even at half and half they turn their noses up and walk away. We don't have many options for oats in our area, so we just got some from the local feed store. Do we need to look for better quality or do something different? Or have they just been spoiled? |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| Mine would NOT touch tractor supply oats but love the bigger race horse oats.. lol Omele is pure sugar, so they probably want the sugar taste.. ANy kid is going to eat a donut over a salad./
Edited by FLITASTIC 2016-01-11 12:17 PM
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Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| FLITASTIC - 2016-01-11 12:16 PM
Mine would NOT touch tractor supply oats but love the bigger race horse oats.. lol Omele is pure sugar, so they probably want the sugar taste.. ANy kid is going to eat a donut over a salad./
I'll see if I can't find a better quality and maybe that will help. One of the horses we started on oats had been on no grain, just alfalfa and teff, and he wouldn't have any part of eating them. We don't feed very much grain as it is, but I've heard talk of oats being good for horses fed alfalfa and wanted to give it a try. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Jenbabe - 2016-01-12 9:23 AM
We decided try switching to whole oats, but ours refused to eat them. We started out mixing their Omolene in to start the switch, but even at half and half they turn their noses up and walk away. We don't have many options for oats in our area, so we just got some from the local feed store. Do we need to look for better quality or do something different? Or have they just been spoiled?
The ones listed as "Race HOrse Oats" here that I got about a month ago were so nasty full of dust and mold and corn I ended up dumping them out to the deer and unfortunately the only clean ones I've been able to get are the TSC ones...its exhausting trying to keep on top of feeds and feed companies. |
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| run n rate - 2016-01-11 10:46 AM
Jenbabe - 2016-01-12 9:23 AM
We decided try switching to whole oats, but ours refused to eat them. We started out mixing their Omolene in to start the switch, but even at half and half they turn their noses up and walk away. We don't have many options for oats in our area, so we just got some from the local feed store. Do we need to look for better quality or do something different? Or have they just been spoiled?
The ones listed as "Race HOrse Oats" here that I got about a month ago were so nasty full of dust and mold and corn I ended up dumping them out to the deer and unfortunately the only clean ones I've been able to get are the TSC ones...its exhausting trying to keep on top of feeds and feed companies.
I wonder if TS has different suppliers for different areas? I know they are a low cost buyer so they find the cheapest they can. |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Not sure, I know I was warned about TSC "producers Pride" oats but I have had no luck in getting oats that looked let alone smelled clean at the other 3 feed stores here. The Producers Pride oats at TSC at least don't come with 2 inches of "dust and God knows what" at the bottom of the bag. So frustrating. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I've had the best luck with fleet farm brand oats. I wouldn't buy any of their other feeds but their whole oats are clean with not a speck of dust to be found. TSC where I live, the oats are terrible...the bag is filled with dust. |
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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Texas | What a beautiful paint horse in your profile...... |
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Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Not in Texas anymore. . . | We feed whole oats by ADM (and alfalfa and forco)...always been great quality! |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | For those with picky eaters, here is a interesting article that could shed some light in this subject. It seems as though they are finicky, but looking deeper, could be alot more to it!https://nouvelleresearch.com/index.php/articles/403-the-equine-diet-and-picky-eaters-thoughts-and-concerns
Edited by Herbie 2016-01-11 8:14 PM
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| Herbie - 2016-01-11 6:12 PM
For those with picky eaters, here is a interesting article that could shed some light in this subject. It seems as though they are finicky, but looking deeper, could be alot more to it!https://nouvelleresearch.com/index.php/articles/403-the-equine-diet-and-picky-eaters-thoughts-and-concerns
For this reason I am doing a 30 day round of the EQ Rejuvinate. We suspect my colt may have a bacterial imbalance in the hind gut. The Rejuvinate is supposed to balance that out. Already I am seeing some improvement in his flank tightness on the left side. Dr Schell is working on a specific formula to address this specifically. |
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 Shoot Yeah
Posts: 4273
Location: Where you need a paddle... Oregon! | readytorodeo - 2016-01-11 1:05 AM
I feed the triple clean race horse oats. Add Renew Gold and her CurOst supplements. Feed Alfalfa Hay and Timothey free choice.
Almost exactly what I feed. Whole oats, Renew Gold and free choice timothy and alfalfa hay. Wish my horse would get hot.... lol The only time she's been remotely close to being "hot", and even then it wasn't hot, she just felt really good and moved smooth, was when I had her on Animal Element detox and Product X along with the other stuff (except Renew Gold). |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 396
| I've been a whole oat feeder for about 4 years now. Love it. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| A question for those of you that feed oats. Will oats and the Omnis cubes maintain a senior horse's (26) weight? He is probably about a 1200 lb, he is retired, on pasture 24/7 and I have hay in front of him now that it has turned cold 24/7. I get my oats from Bluebonnet and they are dust free, triple cleaned Race Horse Oats. I also give THE Muscle Mass with added formula. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I feed Tractor Supply oats and mine are doing well. They seemed a little hesitant when I initially made the switch but when nothing else was put in the feed buckets they ate them and they didn't hesitant long. I have no problems getting them to eat them now. I guess I am lucky my Tractor Supply oats are clean and dry. A little smaller than the Race Horse brand but they are working. My vets comments on my horses all the time now. She didn't before! |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| The biggest issue I have run into with feeding whole oats is finding good CLEAN whole oats around me! I bought 100 lbs yesterday from a new place they are by bryant grain company and I liked how heavy the bags felt but when I poured them into the oat bin I found more corn than I'd like to see... some chopped some whole pieces. So frustrating! I've got a tsc nearby but they only carry the rolled oats and I haven't heard good things about them. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | want2chase3 - 2016-01-12 2:20 PM
The biggest issue I have run into with feeding whole oats is finding good CLEAN whole oats around me! I bought 100 lbs yesterday from a new place they are by bryant grain company and I liked how heavy the bags felt but when I poured them into the oat bin I found more corn than I'd like to see... some chopped some whole pieces. So frustrating! I've got a tsc nearby but they only carry the rolled oats and I haven't heard good things about them.
If you are going to be a regular customer I bet they will order them for you. They do for me. You pay ahead, they order. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | Whole rolled is so dang expensive but I really like it Bc they are clean and the horses love them.. Typically i buy whole cleaned. I don't like buying just whole Bc they typically was dusty and the quality isn't consistent in my area. This year has been a terrible oat year!! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | The closer it is to how God made it the better it is. I am not a fan of pellets or other commercial feeds. I love oats and my horses seem to like them too. I feed oats and alfalfa and what ever Animal Element supplement they may need (all get the Foundation DEtox) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 863
| So are whole oats better than crimped? I've heard they can't digest whole oats..is this just a myth? |
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Location: northeast | Just got back from the feed store and was as inquiring about oats and what types of oats they carry. Of course, the feed store is also a purina dealer (they tried convincing me to feed purina) currently Im feeding Nutrena Safechoice original and I used to feed Purina Strategy. I like the Safechoice a lil beter than Strategy but love neither. I feel the horse can look better. I rather go with a more simple program of oats,alfalfapellets,cocosoya,vitamin/mineral supplement and free choice hay. Now the choice is rolled,steamed or crimped????
Edited by Junior 2016-01-12 3:30 PM
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Whole oats are the most pure form. Rolled, steamed, or crimped have all been "processed" and it does affect the nutrient value of the oat. You will see some oats in your horse's poop, however if their digestive system is functioning correctly, they will digest most and those you see will likely be the hull. However this is happening with what you're currently feeding, it just blends better with the poop than an oat does, so keep that in mind. It isn't the oat, it's the digestive tract, and likely the hind gut not functioning as it should. |
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For those that feed whole oats