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Horse no longer wants feed or hay

5K views 23 replies 10 participants last post by  horselovinguy 
#1 ·
My horse, who is in moderately heavy work, has decided that her feed and hay are no longer edible. She has been on the same feed for about 4 months. Blue Seal Sentinel LS Performance. I put her on this feed because I liked the pressure cooked after speaking with vet, as she has a history of a senstive system and colic. Given it sure is not like other feeds that are full of sugar and molasses, she ate it less eagerly than sweet feeds and such. But ate it, even if it took a while. And that was fine.
Here is her feeding plan:
AM
A full scoop of LS performance, (I know the weight transfer dont worry)
one scoop of One AC,
Free choice 2nd cut soft orchard grass mix.
PM
A full scoop of LS performance,
one scoop of One AC,
One cup of ground flax seed,
Two cups Aloe Vera juice,
Free choice 2nd cut soft orchard grass mix.

She does get pasture for 4-6 hours a day. And anymore it is the ONLY thing she wants. She is sticking her nose up to her feed, to her hay... She needs to eat her feed, she needs the nutrition, and the supplement MUST get in her. She's been normal outside of this. Give her grass? And she will chow down. :-x
 
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#2 ·
She's being picky.
Can you blame her for wanting soft, sweet fresh grass instead of old dry hay?

A few things make me immediately wonder....
Teeth...when were they last checked and her entire oral cavity looked at for a potential problem she may have?
Has the manufacturer of the feed changed the recipe, added or replaced something with a different ingredient?

So...
She needs that supplement.
Give it to her, period.
Mix it in applesauce, fill a large syringe and down the throat it goes...
There are ways to get medication in a horse being obstinate...
With what you need administered there is no compromise, the horse must have it to remain healthy....

Good luck.
:runninghorse2:..
 
#3 ·
I have never had one turn up grain, but hay, yes - In the spring grass they tend to ignore hay in favor of grass. What happens if you stall her all day instead?

Have you taken her temp as well?
 
#4 ·
If you've got plenty of grass and its good grass then I think that's why she's turning her nose up at the Sentinel feed - I've got one that's doing exactly the same thing with the Triple Crown Low Starch feed which is very similar, she ate it all through the winter because there was nothing better but now she's out grazing all day she isn't interested. The others are eating it but they're just plain greedy
You can try mixing some soaked sugar beet in with it or some sliced carrots, some small alfalfa pellets, grass pellets, sliced apple or a handful of sweet feed etc but I think she just isn't hungry enough to be interested in something that closely resembles cardboard in flavor compared to the sweet feeds
 
#5 ·
Here's three things to consider when a horse goes off its feed:

1. The feed has developed compromised taste through processing or storage (for example: its kept some place damp and developed mold, fungus that may not be visible but has changed the taste, etc).

2. The spring grass is extremely tasty to a horse and they'd rather hold out for that than "regular" feed. As a variation of that, if the grass is growing well, the horse may be filling up enough on that such that its not as hungry as it was earlier in the year.

3. The horse is having some internal problems (that may be related to colic or it may be something else going on) and that has put it off its feed.

No. 2 sounds like what might be happening at the present. You can either wait it out until the grass ages or you could 'taste up' your concentrates if it's really necessary for the horse to have the extra nutrition.
 
#6 ·
Teeth were done recently, as well as her mouth all gone over etc. She is doing flat work 3-4 times a week, but demanding flat work, and a little jumping and hill work the other day or two. So she does need the calories. She isn't the best keeper for a pony, or morgan at that matter lol. She just atarts looking bad when she isn't eating her feed. I guess I will start syringing it until she gets to eating. I am going to mention this to my vet tonight.. And bring up the possibility of ulcers, because I did just move her back home from being at a training barn for 6 months, as was I for a working student position. I will take her temp tonight.
 
#8 ·
Have you tried damping the hay before you feed it?
If she's working quite hard and stabled for a good part of the day or night a small amount of sweet feed or a small amount of crimped oats mixed in to her current feed might make it more appetizing and shouldn't be a laminitis risk
Obviously check her over for any health issues but if she's eating grass OK there hopefully isn't much wrong
 
#10 ·
I have one piggy that, I swear, would eat a tree stump, and one who will turn up her pretty nose at tasteless and boring. Mine are in an area at night that has very little forage but the picky one is shut in for breakfast and dinner to keep her fat friend from eating her food. In this season of grass there is always morning hay left.


A vet check is the best idea. It does sound like your horse is a lover of grass and a hater of bland and boring. Maybe dilute a little molasses with water and mist the ration? Maybe just enough to give a scent to the food. Having a picky horse is like having a picky cat, I swear.
 
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#11 ·
I do think it is the case. She loved her hay and tolerated her feed until I started putting her on lush green grass for a few hours a day. I think the ulcer thing is possible as well though, with all the stress and change, so I will look into that
 
#13 ·
The barn I worked at just swapped fields to the nice pastures and those horses are out for a whopping 3 hours and don't want to eat anything the rest of the day! They are stuffed! They are eating about half the hay they were just last week and picking at it. I would not be surprised for a picky eater on a less appetizing new feed that she doesn't want the grain either.

FWIW I haven't seen a horse dislike the Sentinel before. May be it's not the feed for her. Did she like her last feed? Sounds like she is somewhat picky and harder keeper in general, correct?

I would highly recommend doing the aloe twice a day. It should be done with every meal. I would look into ulcers too.
 
#14 ·
The barn I worked at just swapped fields to the nice pastures and those horses are out for a whopping 3 hours and don't want to eat anything the rest of the day! They are stuffed! They are eating about half the hay they were just last week and picking at it. I would not be surprised for a picky eater on a less appetizing new feed that she doesn't want the grain either.

FWIW I haven't seen a horse dislike the Sentinel before. May be it's not the feed for her. Did she like her last feed? Sounds like she is somewhat picky and harder keeper in general, correct?

I don't think she "dislikes," it but I do think she would prefer to eat something smothered in molasses.. And that isn't a diet I want to have her on if at all possible. Before she ate the Blue seal rider, however did not keep enough weight or condition on eating it. And was not comfortable feeding huge amounts to try to achieve it.. Also tried Strider. She looks fabulous on the Sentinel. Covered in dapples, super sleek and shiny, her manure is more consistent in form, haven't had any bouts of colic knock on wood, and she is just looking and performing so much better.

Correct, she can be a tad picky. She is on the side of being a hard keeper, for sure. Especially when she is working like this. She sure isn't the air pony that you would expect LOL.


I would highly recommend doing the aloe twice a day. It should be done with every meal. I would look into ulcers too.

Okay, I will start that. And I am looking into ulcers as well.

I put the replies in bold.
 
#17 ·
Can you get either Triple Crown or Nutrena? I know some feel that Nutrena is not as good, but IME since we can't get TC, the Nutrena is one horses will readily eat and they do well on it--we saved a 4 yo gelding with a body condition score of 1 that the 5 vets didn't think would live through the winter. He thrived on it, gained over 500 lbs and grew 4 inches!


Pick one feed that provides complete nutrition for vitamins and minerals that she'll eat and don't add anything else but hay/alfalfa. Feed the concentrate at least at the minimal amount for her ideal weight per the feed tag. KISS works for horses!


Now to address the grazing.......all 4 of our horses are turning up their noses at their concentrate and hay since the full flush of spring grasses are tastier. Normally they race the wind when I call them in for meals, but I'm lucky now if they even raise their heads to look at me. As long as their weights are good, they have plenty of energy, and their coats are shiny, I really don't worry since I know in another month we'll be back to regular feedings as the grass matures and the hot season grasses which are less tasty come on.
 
#18 ·
Our feed dealer told us it is not unusual for a horse to turn up their noses at a feed they've been on for awhile, but her "awhile" was two or three years.

It could be she's just full from eating grass. We muzzle our two easy keepers and even though they are out all day, every day, they tear into our medium quality, not so soft, low sugar timothy hay mix when we bring them in for the night. The older mare, however, we do not muzzle; she'll eat her feed, very slowly, but she doesn't touch the hay.

While Blue Seal is not at the bottom, there are other higher quality feeds. Triple Crown, Integrity, and Tribute are quite good. After having witnessed some feed testing (my vet sent various feeds to the lab to be tested), I wouldn't spend the money on Nutrena; if someone gave me a truckload of SafeChoice, I'd dump it.

Not sure where you live but we've had good luck with McCauley feed.
 
#19 ·
I will look at those feeds. I will not feed Nutrena, I wouldn't if it was gave to me.. Not even the proforce. I don't like it at all. But glad it works for others. I really like the pressure cooked stuff, so maybe I can look around and see who may offer that at a better quality feed.
 
#20 ·
Purina has some decent options. I would look into that.

I DO like the Sentinel (realized it is also Blue Seal so wanted to clarify, I meant the feeds you tried previously) but don't think it's amazing and sounds like regardless your mare just isn't that into it lol. If she liked it, it may be a good option for her, but sounds like she doesn't!
 
#22 ·
I have started to feed Purina Ultium recently.
My horses don't need "high" protein but a good amount of fat content and good fiber.
I also feed Purina Strategy....till it is finished then it will be only Ultium.
http://www.purinamills.com/purinami...tium-Competition-Sell-Sheet-2015.pdf?ext=.pdf
http://www.purinamills.com/purinami.../Strategy-GX-Sell-Sheet-2015-(1).pdf?ext=.pdf
I have seen so many horses with good results, not needing to feed large amounts either.
I have a hard keeper and trying to keep weight on him :icon_rolleyes:...
The Ultium is a pelleted feed with the fat nugget Amplify in large supply. It does have some molasses, not much of it as not sticky, but enough that it is holding my horses attention to finish his meal...and he doesn't want to share it with his stable buddy either; a telling tale he likes it!! :wink:
It also softens real easy real quick {mine needs mushy consistency}. My guy choked bad and will never eat hard feed again.

My horse will not eat Triple Crown brand, he walks away and won't touch it...
I have Seminole available also but honestly, cost does factor in and at $10 more per bag....:sad:

I have used Purina feeds for many years off and on since I was little, a long time ago.
I have never been disappointed in results of my horses looks, temperament or endurance...
:runninghorse2:...
 
#23 ·
I am a HUGE fan of Ultium.

I am less familiar with their other feeds, but several have a good rep. I don't know how many would fit your criteria though. I'm not sure if the type of feed is as big an issue as what is in it and such. After all if you say soaked it you would be feeding mush, not "textured" or "pelleted", so isn't it all the same in that regard?
 
#24 ·
An update to the above post....

Been feeding Purina Ultium now for about 2 weeks exclusively...
Holy Cow....What a difference in appearance!!

I had to go out of town for 7 days so did not see the horses on a daily basis...
Arrived home to a rescue the finishing bloom of health now radiates from.
My other horse now needs a slim down, a little to fat for him and his build.

I'm convinced!!
At my local Tractor Supply Store so easy accessibility. $23.99 for 50 pound bag :wink:
Now done having to add this add that....
It will be Ultium from now on in my feed barrels for my horses.
4 pounds a day for my hard keeper, 2 pounds a day for my tubby boy easier keeper and they both look wonderful.
No personality change or hot under saddle {I swelter and they sweat but they listen and are attentive to cues not attitude given!} :D

It is easy to moisten and soften, easier than some other feeds I fed in the past.
Some feeds though you add water to soften, do not soften but just get wet and have hard chunks...that defeats the purpose of smaller pieces or more like a mash consistency...
My guys love their feed wet actually to my surprise.

Peace of mind knowing they get an extra bit of fluids when they sweat so bad in heat and humid weather. :wink:
This feed is not "hard" like, say a rock.
It is pieces, small enough and easily broken apart just rubbing between your hands if you tried.
It was not sticky like sweet feed sticky either.
Smells nice and yup, tasted it.. and not bad!!
Since my rescue choked though, I will take no chances ever again and soaked it will be for him and doing one I do all the same way...water added in.

This feed though is a Win-Win for me!! :D:D:D
:runninghorse2:...
jmo...
 
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