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? for Solon, or anyone else experienced w/ feeding drafts

3K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Solon 
#1 ·
I need to add something to Tenacity's diet. She's getting skinny on me, being the low man on the todem (pastured with 3 other drafts). I've been told time and time again not to feed grain. I know carb intake is also an issue for drafts, correct?
I wanted to see what you think about this feed.... no grain, low non-structual carb feed:
LMF LOW NON-STRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATE STAGE 1 :: LMF Feeds - LMF Horse Feeds - the finest feeds for your horses health

She is 2 years old, eating alfalfa mix (dense in alfalfa). At pasture, but no grass.
Thanks =)
 
#2 ·
I like that the protein is low, but the fat is low also. I use a 10 protein/10 fat for mine. My guys are on pasture w/ grass 24/7, well I've been putting them in a small pen at night with a roll of hay, just so my grass has a little breathing time.
I also put about a cup of oil on their feed.
 
#5 ·
#6 ·
Well, Ive added a low-carb pellet feed (no grain) and Sand Clear to her diet. I'm also going to introduce vegetable oil soon. She's starting to look a little better. The pushy mare she's with is getting really fat, so I know where her hay is going =/
 
#7 ·
If the photo is of Tenacity. then she has some shire blood somewhere in her veins. At 2 she is a growing girl and she'll keep on growing.
One thing you might think of is simply giving her more.
Plus of course make sure she gets a fair share of what is hers - if she is living with other horses.

And don't forget the regular worming.

Barry G

Oh, I wish I had this slimming problem with my Irish Draft - she the huzzy keeps putting that weight on.
 
#8 ·
Thanks! Just curious, what makes you think she has Shire blood in her? She doesn't have papers, so its possible. She is in pasture with a 2 year old shire and she resembles him more than the clyde mare she is with. I do worm her. I just got her nt long ago and she's due for her 2nd dose in a week.
If the photo is of Tenacity. then she has some shire blood somewhere in her veins. At 2 she is a growing girl and she'll keep on growing.
One thing you might think of is simply giving her more.
Plus of course make sure she gets a fair share of what is hers - if she is living with other horses.

And don't forget the regular worming.

Barry G

Oh, I wish I had this slimming problem with my Irish Draft - she the huzzy keeps putting that weight on.
 
#9 ·
The Marks of a Shire?
The white irregular shaped blaze on her head, and the white spots in her coat elsewhere.
Look at the lower legs - perhaps covered with long abundant, silky, white feather from knee downwards. Lots of bone. A heavy horse.
At least a hand space, maybe even more between the front legs. A big chested horse.
Big feet.
Flat backed - croup quite high.
A horse meant to pull rather than push.

But there again - you may only have half or quarter of a shire.
Who knows? One can't always believe the paperwork.

Barry G

Go a google, for The Shire Horse Society.

Barry G
 
#12 ·
I have to seperate my old guy at feeding time, due to my yorkshire cross young guy. I don't have a barn so I got some electric tape and made a large square in the corner of the field about 3 times the size of a large stall, and just put my old guy in there to eat. I made a gate with the tape and a insultated handle and just shut him up in there for about 30 minutes so he has plenty of time to eat everything.
I made the pen large enough that my old guy could get far enough away from the younger one and not be worried about him. Its a cheap fix, its not the prettiest but it works.
 
#13 ·
I need to add something to Tenacity's diet. She's getting skinny on me, being the low man on the todem (pastured with 3 other drafts). I've been told time and time again not to feed grain. I know carb intake is also an issue for drafts, correct?
I wanted to see what you think about this feed.... no grain, low non-structual carb feed:
LMF LOW NON-STRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATE STAGE 1 :: LMF Feeds - LMF Horse Feeds - the finest feeds for your horses health

She is 2 years old, eating alfalfa mix (dense in alfalfa). At pasture, but no grass.
Thanks =)
If she's getting skinny look to possible health issues first. Have you wormed her lately? How about her teeth? When were they last done? Don't feed your horses together. Too much of a risk of fighting over food and one horse not getting enough feed. Bring her to her own area so she can get equal share.

Alfalfa isn't the best for them. My vet said only rarely should mine get alfalfa. Get a good grass hay. Make sure you are feeding a high fat diet (I use mazola corn oil).

Then look at doing supplemental feeds after you've done all the above. Especially the part about letting her eat in her own place at her own pace. That alone may get her to pick up the weight since she's not having to compete with the other horses to eat.
 
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