Where do you get your information on what to feed your horse?

Hey guys,

As some of you might know I'm doing a market study this summer in order to complete my internship so that I can graduate this fall from the University of MN. Part of the market study is to determine where horse owners are getting their information on what to feed their horses. If you could complete the poll it would be really helpful. Feel free to explain or add to your choice!

Thanks for the help!
Jen

I voted Vet. My horse is the hardest keeper ever and my vet is the only one who understands her body and can tell me what will work. He put my horse on ultium,amplify, and flax seed and the difference is amazing! She has been at a consistent weight for a year now thanks to my vet

I go to a lot of sources and research findings. I also rely on my experiences.

I worked as a tech for a large/small animal vet for 10 yrs in Fl. A lot of vet do not keep up with nutrional studies. I was sent to the Hill's Science Diet 2 day class and did most of the nutritional recommendations for Doc in the small animal side, the feed store did the large animal recommendations.

I took an interest in equine diets when my mare's allergy testing showed sensitivity to oats, bermuda grass, penecillin mold and 18 other dietary and environmental elements. Most feed has oats in it.
That is when I discovered Soybean meal as a protein source, Omega 3 in flax seed and fish oil. My mare absolutely blossomed on the dac Oil and my research of fatty acids took off from there.

I will research online, then talk with people who have experience with what product I am interested in and if my over choice still sounds good I go to my vet to see if my horse even needs the product .

I work at a stables and train horses so I learned a lot there and from past horse trainers I had as a child

Thanks guys, great answers! Keep em coming!

I chose other because I've learned that not all professionals and the like know all horses. What works for some doesn't work for others & no one knows my horses like I do. So I have created my own mix that does well for them.

An equine nutritionist.

Can be a rep from a feed company or the vet on staff that really enjoys the nutrition puzzles.

Online is very difficult since you must take the area of the country into consideration along with the particular horse (housing, turnout, general health and job).

I chose the veterinarian. But I also ask the previous owner what they fed their horse. But if the horse is low on weight or has too much weight I like to talk to my vet, just to be very sure im giving the horse what they need.

Thanks for the great answers so far everyone! I think you all have made some very good points