ribby

Re-reading your original post, I'd have to say that if you're happy with his weight and feel comfortable where he is and are just concerned with a few remarks about your thin TB, with the proviso you think he just needs muscle, then forget asking for advice and work with him and continue with what you're doing. I must say though 4 flakes probably isn't enough, as MIE stated horses are grazers and need the constant roughage - good for their teeth too. If you feel he needs more weight put him on 24/7 grass only hay (I feed rounds) and see how you go or follow some of the other members advice on supplements.

Good luck!

I think his ribs showing would be the least of my concerns. He is very sunkin in behind his shoulders and needs weight everywhere. So give him more hay to get his weight up and then cut him back to somewhere in between so he doesn't get obese and then everyone won't complain.

Based purely on mathematics, (going with the 2.5% body weight rule) that's an additional probably 7-8 flakes a day based on our current hay load and how the flakes break off. That's taking out of what he gets from the safe choice. My BO will not be able to justify one horse eating a whole bale to himself.

So, if someone could answer my question, if anyone has ever bothered reading this topic and not just blindly posting, it would be greatly appreciated.

Writer, I have ALWAYS been interested in switching him to an easier feed/grain/grain substitute than safe choice, I don't think it really does anything for him. I have also always been interested in upping his hay slightly to give him something to do and hopefully cut back on his cribbing (although its not likely). However, feeding him a half a bale per day seems too much for him, considering he doesn't do anything.

I think you should have a nutritionist come out and do an evaluation. They do it in my area for free. I know Nutrina offers this service.

Thats an excellent idea. Thank you!

I've already talked to the BO he's getting an additional flake in the AM now, I would really like it if he got another flake at noon ish, but we'll see.

I would get rid of the Safe Choice and if you can't get a ration balancer then look into Smartpaks Smartvits for Grass hays

Might also look into Tri Amino ...

Muscle is built from Protiens... hay shoudl not make him antsy at all.. the safe choice "could" be

^^Smart Pak is so expensive! If they carried my joint supplement I might consider it, but I also like bagging my supplements myself (when I had more than one). I'm going to call the equine hospital that does scoping and see how much that costs, and then based on what they find might go with smart Pak, and might not.

I was looking at Round Up by Manna Pro--the feed store we buy from I'm 90% sure carries Manna Pro products, but the main ingredient in Round Up is alfalfa, which as I said earlier he explodes on. I was also looking at Nutrena Triumph Complete, but could not find a list of ingredients, so if anyone knows what they are, that would be great. There's also Equine Adult buy Purina, but again, no luck at finding the breakdown of ingredients.

Can you get SEminole products in your area??

You can also pm me your zip or post it and I can dig for stuff in your area...

Keep in mind that some horses will react to fresh alfalfa and not processed as well

SmartPak Equine - Compare Supplements

I was thinking one of these with rice bran as a carrier :) Let me check Manna Pro's site again to see what they are offering

I would think about this one instead of the round up
Manna Pro Products, LLC