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Fat Supplemented Diet

804 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Brighteyes 
#1 ·
My mare is not an easy keeper and loses weight dramatically over the winter months. This year, I've kept her on a fat supplemented diet with Shur Gain Equiline Shine. I haven't been able to ride her or work with her much over the winter because of how deep the snow was, so she's pretty much been out of work since December. She has just started to come back into work, and I've noticed a dramatic (and scary) difference in her behavior. All she wants to do is run, on the lunge line, and under saddle. She gets agitated quickly, and does not respond well to leg aid (ie. she tries to take off). I realize some of this may be because of lack of work, however she's been on stall rest before and was not this bad. Could the fat supplement be making her more energetic?
 
#2 ·
Fat is "cool energy" -- it doesn't cause obnoxious behavior like sugar and starch can. However, not feeling like crap from being too thin can cause "misbehavior." Your mare may be revealing her true colors because she feels well enough to do so. If that is so, this is a training issue, not a diet issue.

But it could be any number of things. She could have a pain issue. Her gaining weight could cause her saddle to fit poorly now. She would have a problem with her back, a pulled muscle, a sore leg, etc. Anything is possible.
 
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