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Regular
Posts: 55
| What are some good feeding programs that you use while getting your horse in shape. I won't be competing for at least a month while getting him back in shape. He is over weight! Would you let him be in the pasture while getting him in shape, or stall him and give him grain and hay? Any help would be appreciated! What kind of grain & minerals would you use?
Thanks!  |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
  
| Don't change it up very much, you might create issues. If he's over weight I would decrease turnout time and give him free choice hay while he's locked up. As the training continues you can add grain or supplements as needed. |
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Regular
Posts: 55
| So during the first week or so just give hay? That's what he's on now... he hasn't been barrel race ready in 2 years!
What type of feed do you suggest?  |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I just cut mine back slightly on the feed (mine is an EXTREMELY easy keeper), and that is what I have the best luck with. Mine is turned out full time, but it is so cold and snowy that there is no grass and the pastures don't start growing until mid to late April, so hay is fed all winter. So here in the winter that there isn't a lot of grazing to be done, but because it is cold I probably overfeed a little in the winter, so I just cut back slightly in the spring and have had good success with that without causing too much distress. |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| barbarajean9219 - 2016-03-22 11:58 AM
So during the first week or so just give hay? That's what he's on now... he hasn't been barrel race ready in 2 years!
What type of feed do you suggest?
I don't know, I just feed alfalfa, rice bran, and flax seed. I haven't purchased a bag of processed feed in years. I adjust the amount of alfalfa and rice bran depending on body condition and feed a half lb of flax seed daily. I actually have a gelding now that does great with just turn out. He looks good and feels good. I give him a hand full of alfalfa to mix with his half lb flax and that's it.
It really just depends on the horse and how their body reacts as they get in better shape. I use injectable joint supplements so I don't have to worry about mixing it in feed twice a day. I don't feed any supplements... |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| FlyingJT - 2016-03-22 12:22 PM
barbarajean9219 - 2016-03-22 11:58 AM
So during the first week or so just give hay? That's what he's on now... he hasn't been barrel race ready in 2 years!
What type of feed do you suggest?
I don't know, I just feed alfalfa, rice bran, and flax seed. I haven't purchased a bag of processed feed in years. I adjust the amount of alfalfa and rice bran depending on body condition and feed a half lb of flax seed daily. I actually have a gelding now that does great with just turn out. He looks good and feels good. I give him a hand full of alfalfa to mix with his half lb flax and that's it.
It really just depends on the horse and how their body reacts as they get in better shape. I use injectable joint supplements so I don't have to worry about mixing it in feed twice a day. I don't feed any supplements...
Alfalfa hay? Or cubes/pellets? |
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Regular
Posts: 55
| He is an extremely easy keeper and hasn't lost a single pound in the time I haven't rode! :0! Which is good but he's also extremely over weight!  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| barbarajean9219 - 2016-03-22 11:58 AM
So during the first week or so just give hay? That's what he's on now... he hasn't been barrel race ready in 2 years!
What type of feed do you suggest?
I'd start off slow by getting him in shape if he hasn't been barrel race ready in 2 years. Some horses take a little longer to get in shape, especially if they are overweight. Pushing them too hard too fast can cause injury.
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| want2chase3 - 2016-03-22 12:55 PM
FlyingJT - 2016-03-22 12:22 PM
barbarajean9219 - 2016-03-22 11:58 AM
So during the first week or so just give hay? That's what he's on now... he hasn't been barrel race ready in 2 years!
What type of feed do you suggest?
I don't know, I just feed alfalfa, rice bran, and flax seed. I haven't purchased a bag of processed feed in years. I adjust the amount of alfalfa and rice bran depending on body condition and feed a half lb of flax seed daily. I actually have a gelding now that does great with just turn out. He looks good and feels good. I give him a hand full of alfalfa to mix with his half lb flax and that's it.
It really just depends on the horse and how their body reacts as they get in better shape. I use injectable joint supplements so I don't have to worry about mixing it in feed twice a day. I don't feed any supplements...
Alfalfa hay? Or cubes/pellets?
Both! I use the pellets to mix with rice bran & flax and just throw flakes to those that only get alfalfa. The hay is cheaper than buying pellets right now but sometimes it's cheaper to buy pellets over the hay, when that happens I'll feed everybody pellets. It's like oil prices, up and down all the time. |
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Regular
Posts: 55
| That's what we are going to do nice and slow I just didn't know if he needed to be fed grain while being exercised or just roughage. I would rather exercise the fat off him than starve it off him. I've never dry lotted a horse I know some people do, I want to bring him back slow and make sure he is in tip top shape!
I'm betting it will take at least 6 weeks to get him back in shape... lots of trotting and walking! EEK!  |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | If you want to get a horse in shape and tough. Quit putting them in stall. They need to be outside and active to stay in shape. You don't lock an athlete in a little room and think he will perform at his best. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
| BS Hauler - 2016-03-22 7:45 PM
If you want to get a horse in shape and tough. Quit putting them in stall. They need to be outside and active to stay in shape. You don't lock an athlete in a little room and think he will perform at his best.
This ^^  |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | Full turn out with proteins 1.25 to 1.5 hours post your work out. Two a days for two months then go to a single work out with increased intensity for months three and four to whip your pony into shape. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 287
| uno-dos-tres! - 2016-03-23 11:18 AM
Full turn out with proteins 1.25 to 1.5 hours post your work out. Two a days for two months then go to a single work out with increased intensity for months three and four to whip your pony into shape.
Great plan for the human athlete too :) |
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Feeding programs while getting a horse in shape.