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Feed suggestions

3K views 31 replies 8 participants last post by  OTTBeventer 
#1 ·
I'm sure this has been posted alot and I'm reading through all the posts also.

But I have been feeding my OTTBs U7 and Purina Ultium Competition

I'm just not seeing what I hoped to see. Their coats are healthy but not amazing. They are in decent weight but could use a small amount more. Mainly I'm not happy with the lack of weight gain and muscle.
The newest is still super racing fit and I know with work he will loose some muscle and gain others. The other is on stall rest to fix his feet (pulled shoes letting feet grow before retacking them on) so I know he won't build muscle by sitting there.

I'm looking for something that is higher in protein to aid in the muscle building and fat to aid in the weight gain. But not high in sugars.
I'm thinking of mixing my own feed with what's available to me via tractor supply/ southern states stores.

Any suggestions?

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#2 ·
How much feed are you feeding and how big and what age are your horses?

So...
You're not going to find many feeds higher in fat than Ultium...
Add a 11.7% protein is not terrible either and adequate amount to build muscle for most horses.

Protein...well, it isn't only protein that makes muscle tissue..you need the corresponding ingredients, building blocks in proper amounts.
Do your research of what building blocks are needed and in the right ratios. Figure out what you might be missing and need and then add that to the diet.

I have had great success adding the bloom to my rescue with a product from Pennwoods called Body Builder 4000.
My horse is not tattooed but sure looks a older Thoroughbred.
Has made a marked difference in his appearance.:wink:
At 26% protein and 40% fat I don't think there is anything like it on the market.
The supporting ingredients are also there. Concentrated small amount needing fed daily...
https://pennwoods.com/body-builder-4000/

:runninghorse2:....
 
#3 ·
I know it's not just protein but many other factors too, just would like to start there with higher fat/protein.

I choose the ultium because it was recommended and had good percentage but I am not seeing much difference then an average feed ..

I'll look into it :)

My hoses are 5 (15.1 hh) and 6 (16 hh) both came off track this year.

I'll have to weigh how much my scoops are today.

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#4 ·
I've also used Ultium extensively and have been very impressed with it from backyard puffs to top level show mounts.

I would also be looking for a supplement as opposed to a feed change.

If you do want to change feeds there are other options but unlikely you will find something better than Ultium that still meets your criteria.
 
#5 ·
And just remember that a feed is just a feed at the end of the day. You have 2 young recent OTTBs one in racing shape and one on stall rest. No feed alone will make changes without other factors. To be specific I have also used Ultium on plenty of TBs :) Mixing your own seems like a pain. Either buy a different feed or another feed and measure it out like you typically would.
 
#10 ·
He was a bit more let down when I got him. He last raced November and stopped training in December. So had a whole month of just sitting an eating then came here.

But yes I just wanted to see if there were better options if not they will remain on the ultium
Thank you

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#11 ·
Yes unfortunately I can't think of another feed high protein/fat and also low NSC (sugar/starch). Ultium is very unique in that way. I think even if you found a different feed you would likely end up supplementing anyways.

Another option would be to try a ration balancer (very concentrated feed) then supplement for weight only. But that probably wouldn't be my first choice for your situation.
 
#12 ·
Yes unfortunately I can't think of another feed high protein/fat and also low NSC (sugar/starch). Ultium is very unique in that way. I think even if you found a different feed you would likely end up supplementing anyways.

Another option would be to try a ration balancer (very concentrated feed) then supplement for weight only.
Thank you :)

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#13 ·
Feed won't put muscle on especially with TBs, and for a low NSC with high fat and good protein, Ultium is the best option.

Stall rest for feet? If his feet are sore just because of a bad trim then hoof boots are a great option, there are some hoof dressings that can also toughen the feet up and that would be something I would look into if it is just sore feet from a trim and not other factors.

TBs normally need exercise to get muscle and topline comes from teaching them to work from behind to front (not something that racing teaches them, most are heavy on the front end) so instead of sidereins etc, teaching them to reach for contact and to push from behind is the best way to get a great topline and a nicely balanced horse.

Obviously you need to post some pics, you know the rules :)
 
#14 ·
I know what builds muscle but good feed helps aid in it as well.

He kept pulling shoes and chipping his hooves so I pulled all his shoes off but to keep him from chipping and cracking his hooves worse on the dry hard NC ground I am keeping him to his stall. He's also very sore without shoes so stall rest keeps him most comfortable while his feet grow out a bit.



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#15 · (Edited)
I really like buckeye and triple crown

Grow N Win is a ration balancer.

BUCKEYE® Nutrition. Your Passion. Our Purpose.
Safe 'n Easy? Performance
GRO 'N WIN® Ration Balancer

You can also a fat supplement like cool calories which is pretty effective
https://www.bigdweb.com/product/coo...by=bestSellers&refType=1&ecList=1&ecCategory=

Triple Crown also makes excellent, high quality feed.

https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/feeds/
https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/senior/
https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/triple-crown-low-starch/

I believe you can consult a nutritionalist from either company and see what they recommend or can suggest for you.

Another really good muscle supplement is called SuperSport. I've been thoroughly impressed with the results of the horses that are on it.
https://www.bigdweb.com/product/purina+supersport+25+lb.do
 
#16 ·
Agree with the above feed suggestions. Ultium is good, as are the Triple Crown feeds and Buckeye.

How high quality is your hay? If you feed really good, high protein hay, then you will get a lot better results. Supplementing with alfalfa can help with adding weight and muscle.

Of course, if you are giving a pound or two of Ultium you will not see the kind of results you would have if you were feeding 7 or 8 lbs.

I was sold on the idea of the Pennwoods supplement as suggested by @Horseluvinguy, but couldn't get my horse to eat it. She won't eat certain flavors they commonly put into horse feed. Cool calories has a sort of fake cherry smell to it, and the Pennwoods has a flavoring too. Most horses apparently love it. I gave the big bucket I bought to a TB at my barn. Haven't heard yet how it is working for her.

I saw a big difference in my horse's hooves after feeding Horseshoer's Secret for about four months. It has a good amount of biotin, copper, zinc, and other necessary nutrients. My horse's hoof walls became extremely thick and hard.
 
#21 ·
I'll look into the feeds, but if ultium is good I may look into supplements to help in addition and keep with the feed.
I feed free choice fescue. That's what the barn supplies. He cuts it on property so same hay as his pasture.
I will look into adding alfalfa if you think that would be a good idea?

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#17 ·
Can you get him some boots like Easyboot Rx or Clouds until his feet feel better? I wouldn't think it good for him to be confined all the time. Most of the time chipping of the hooves doesn't really matter. Just cosmetic. I think he would do better being able to move comfortably around. Has a vet seen him for the lameness?
 
#20 ·
No the vet came out in the beginning when I got him but not recently. My farrier has though, many times. As he's a habitual shoe thrower.
I didn't want to out boots on him because I want his feet to accumulate. But if not then I'll have to put the shoes back on when they grow out a bit.

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#18 ·
Looking at your last pictures shared....
That horse is really not thin but lacking muscle.
Healthy to show some rib, not obese as so many today think is "healthy weight".
As for his hooves, let him out of his stall.
So his hoof might chip a small bit...next trim it will be rasped off anyway.
Cracks...if it is hot, hard ground and he pounds he will get some superficial cracking regardless..

Let him out, let him walk on those feet and get some better circulation going in them and his body...healthy, YES!
Your horse will not do more than his feet allow him to without causing pain.
You keeping him restricted to a soft environment continually is not helping those feet to acclimate to the changing weather conditions..
What are you going to do when the ground temps go up with the temperatures and he has no callous built up against the blistering hot sands?.....
Put him out...
It is not healthy you keep a 5 or 6 year old horse cooled up so their foot not "chip" small pieces off...
If you were referring to 1/2 a hoof missing, that is way different...small chips...
Let That Horse BE A Horse...outside enjoying spring air, sunshine and a chance to romp as he needs...
:runninghorse2:...
jmo..
 
#19 ·
Yes I was going to out him out not always keep him up.. he has just been trimmed 2 weeks ago and has very thin walls. Typical tb. So he was very ouchy on them after I pulled all off last week. I wanted to give him a few days/2 weeks to let it grow a bit and get comfortable before throwing him out.
He's been out for a day then up for 3. Out for a day, etc.

He's the one that's a bit under muscled. We have been working a lot of changes of direction, trot polls, transitions, and started on Hill work this month before the shoe issue.
What other suggestions do you have?

This is him when I got him in January, hes a little bit fuzzy here.


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#23 ·
Neither horse is "thin", they are lacking muscle tone near everywhere...
Exercise, self done being turned out or constructive riding is needed...
Start slow, easy and increase slow and easy.
What you do to the left do equally to the right so muscle symmetry occurs not a off-balanced gain.
Both horses I would expect to change shape again some as you start to ride and work them...
Alter their feed in amount fed as needed but I would not like to see them fatter, better conditioned yes, but fatter no not necessary.
:runninghorse2:....
jmo...
 
#29 ·
Aside but have you tried glue on shoes? Aside from good feed and farrier care I know a few horses that just have bad feet and did great with glue ons. You can also try boots.

I think alfalfa is worth a try but still think you'll end up supplementing.

Have you treated them both for ulcers?

I'd be careful with that pasture if he's only on it part time..
 
#31 ·
I'm talking about how you transition a horse that has not been on pasture to pasture. You don't go from "has not had pasture in x amount of time" to "24/7 turnout out on nice grass" you need to transition. I just worry with the amount of time he is spending off the grass that it will effect how used to the grass he is and while I think it's great that he's out would limit the amount of grass he gets until he can be transitioned back to the usual. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm not explaining well.. So same way you would transition a horse in the spring you would transition a horse back from say a month off the grass mid summer and while he obviously has been getting more than none he's not getting it regularly.
 
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