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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
   
Location: Louisiana | I went today and bought alfalfa cubes and Purina race horse oats-the ONLY whole oats I could locate in my area. They are currently on a pellet feed, not sure the weight but I also bought a scale today so I'll know for sure. Would y'all do a slow, gradual swap like normal? He's had alfalfa cubes in the past but not recently. What weight would you start those at? Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to more healthy horses!! I also started a new "diet" myself. Trying to eat as little processed crap as possible. Lots of fruits, veggies, lean meat, and WATER!
ok, so here's what I ended up doing this evening...
I simply replaced 1/2lb of their normal ration with 1/2lb of oats. Then I added 1/4lb of rice bran and 1/2lb of alfalfa cubes. I figure I'll do this for a few days, then up the ratio of oats and add a little more alfalfa. I won't increase the rice bran until we get totally swapped over.
Does anyone else feed the Purina oats? I'm happy with them, they seem pretty clean and weren't dusty when I emptied the bag in the bin.
Edited by dashnlotti 2015-10-13 5:17 PM
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I switched gradually. My gelding gets about 5lbs of cubes (I do have to soak them though), and a scoop of oats (3lbs) |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | hoofs_in_motion - 2015-10-13 1:34 PM I switched gradually. My gelding gets about 5lbs of cubes (I do have to soak them though), and a scoop of oats (3lbs)
Thank you. That was another question I had, how much alfalfa.
I am going to pick up more grass hay in a bit. Luckily, we have easy access to good quality grass hay. It's always pretty and the horses like it. |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | We actually switched very slowly to make sure that the horses wouldn't crash again. It took me a couple of months to completely commit to no grain.
You may have to find a fat source that you like to add to this, but I think you'll be happy with the results. |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | rachellyn80 - 2015-10-13 1:41 PM We actually switched very slowly to make sure that the horses wouldn't crash again. It took me a couple of months to completely commit to no grain.
You may have to find a fat source that you like to add to this, but I think you'll be happy with the results.
I purchased MaxEGlow rice bran sup to try out with it. I have friends that use it and love it. So I figured I'd give it a shot first. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | dashnlotti - 2015-10-13 2:07 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-10-13 1:41 PM We actually switched very slowly to make sure that the horses wouldn't crash again. It took me a couple of months to completely commit to no grain.
You may have to find a fat source that you like to add to this, but I think you'll be happy with the results. I purchased MaxEGlow rice bran sup to try out with it. I have friends that use it and love it. So I figured I'd give it a shot first.
We give flaxseed as the fat. I don't want anything processed at all! lol I would also slowly change to the oats. I think we did it over a 3 week span. Our horses get the whole oats, flaxseed, and alfalfa pellets or cubes. Whatever our feed store has in stock. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Well first of all  . I would incorporate the new stuff slowly, over a couple weeks. I've been feeding a pellet lately but am going back to doing everything the more natural way. My "base" ration is usually 2-3lbs oats, 4lbs alfalfa pellets, 1/2lb RG (or rice bran), a couple handfuls soaked BP, and a flax supplement. If somebody needs more/less of something I adjust it. |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Thanks everyone!! It's a learning process for sure! I'm used to just scooping feed, not really putting a ton of thought into it. But I definitely see where a better diet can help my horses. They're "healthy" now, but not optimal. They don't have that bloom.
Since I bought the rice bran already, I'll feed that. And then look into adding flax. I forgot to mention, I also give Animal Element Detox. It has done a good job managing my gelding's ulcers, so I'll likely keep him on that.
I know we're headed into winter, so I'm super excited to see how my horses will shed out in the spring. Although we do have a few more weeks of heat down here. Maybe. It's hard to predict LA weather lol. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I transitioned mine over a 10 day period. My 2 runners get 5 lbs whole oats (the oats are broken up into morning/evening feeds so 2 1/2 lbs in the morning and 2 1/2 lbs in the evening with the following additives in the evening feeding), 2 scoops cool calories, 2 scoops of msm, 2 scoops vit/mineral supplement and coastal hay twice a day. They look the best I have seem them. They have a BLOOM. The non runners get 2 1/2 lbs of whole oats and 2 scoop vit/mineral once a day (evening feeding) and coastal hay twice a day. I am on a dry lot. |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | ampratt - 2015-10-13 2:44 PM I transitioned mine over a 10 day period. My 2 runners get 5 lbs whole oats (the oats are broken up into morning/evening feeds so 2 1/2 lbs in the morning and 2 1/2 lbs in the evening with the following additives in the evening feeding), 2 scoops cool calories, 2 scoops of msm, 2 scoops vit/mineral supplement and coastal hay twice a day. They look the best I have seem them. They have a BLOOM. The non runners get 2 1/2 lbs of whole oats and 2 scoop vit/mineral once a day (evening feeding) and coastal hay twice a day. I am on a dry lot.
Thanks! Everyone on here that has posted pics of their horses on oats and/or alfalfa look amazing. Mine do not lol. They don't look bad by any means, but they don't look awesome either.
I figure I'll transition them over about 2 weeks. One of them is such an easy keeper, I'll have to play with his rations I'm sure. He stays fat on air, but I've noticed his top line has dropped slightly bc I had cut his feed back. Of course it doesn't help that I've been lazy and haven't ridden enough. With my good horse hurt, my motivation is lacking :( |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-10-13 2:25 PM
Well first of all . I would incorporate the new stuff slowly, over a couple weeks. I've been feeding a pellet lately but am going back to doing everything the more natural way. My "base" ration is usually 2-3lbs oats, 4lbs alfalfa pellets, 1/2lb RG (or rice bran ), a couple handfuls soaked BP, and a flax supplement. If somebody needs more/less of something I adjust it.
I'm assuming this is one feeding, and you feed twice per day?
A couple people have recommended flax, what is a good brand? |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Are you close to Vinton or DeRidder? I think there are feedstores in both towns that carry the Top of the Rockies cubes, pretty sure they would be cheaper than Purina and probabaly better. I think that is the brand Dr. Findley feeds.
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Barnmom - 2015-10-13 5:10 PM
Are you close to Vinton or DeRidder? I think there are feedstores in both towns that carry the Top of the Rockies cubes, pretty sure they would be cheaper than Purina and probabaly better. I think that is the brand Dr. Findley feeds.
I bought the Standlee cubes from TSC. I can get Top of the Rockies from Spencer's in Folsom if I feel like driving out there. Vinton is about 3.5 hours from me, I make the trip to Delta Equine a couple times a year lol.
The oats I bought are by Purina :) |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | dashnlotti - 2015-10-13 3:21 PM cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-10-13 2:25 PM Well first of all . I would incorporate the new stuff slowly, over a couple weeks. I've been feeding a pellet lately but am going back to doing everything the more natural way. My "base" ration is usually 2-3lbs oats, 4lbs alfalfa pellets, 1/2lb RG (or rice bran ), a couple handfuls soaked BP, and a flax supplement. If somebody needs more/less of something I adjust it. I'm assuming this is one feeding, and you feed twice per day? A couple people have recommended flax, what is a good brand?
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2015-10-14 9:06 AM
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