[ShannonSevenfold]

I'd like to put my guy onto some sort of grain or pelletted feed now that it has started to get pretty cold here. I'd just like to add a few more callories to his diet. My vet has also suggested adding a couple supplements to his diet as well, but it is difficult to do this as he is currently only on grass and free-choice hay. I am looking for a feed that won't make him hot-headed as this is already an issue as it stands, and something I could keep him on indefinately. If anyone has any thoughts that could help me, responses are appreciate!

 

[eventerdrew]

I REALLY love Purina Equine Senior. Seeing as your horse is the same age as mine (17, going on 18) I would definitely recommend it. It gives the horse great nutrition and doesn't make them hot at all. It's a really good maintenance feed and the new formula is even better. It now has the Amplify nugget in it which is another Purina supplement that I give to my performance horses. But, it doesn't make them hot either. It just gives them a nice, healthy coat and gives them just enough energy. This coming from a person with 2 hot TB's and a 3/4 TB who is high strung too.

 

[My Beau]

I feed my adult horses Carb-Guard from Blue Seal. Doesn't make them hot and is a very safe feed. It's low NSC, high fiber/fat (good for my hardkeeper).

 

[ShannonSevenfold]

eventerdrew - How much does it cost per bag? I know our elevater carries it as I had looked into it when I first got him. This is what his previous owners suggested feeding him, but I just didn't see it necessary to add grain until now. How would you suggested introducing it to his diet?

My Beau -You say the feed is high fiber and high fat... My boy gains weight breathing air. Do you think feeding him this would contribute to his belly?

 

[My Beau]

It's 8% fat. The feed Drew posted is is 5.5% fat.

It depends on the horse - I have a TB mare (the hardkeeper) on it and still have to feed her alfalfa pellets to keep her looking good. My QH gelding also eats it and he's an easy keeper - that's why I put him on it, their website says:

Low Starch & Sugar -

The total starch & sugar level of

​

​

Carb-Guard​

​

™ ​

is less that 11% and contains NO molasses.​

A low-starch and sugar diet helps to minimize the risk of
starch overload and subsequent digestive upsets such as
colic and founder. A low-starch and sugar diet may also be
recommended for hyperactive horses and horses with
certain health conditions such as Tying-Up, EPSM, Equine​

Metabolic Syndrome, Cushings and Chronic Laminitis.
​

I'm worried about him becoming IR when he gets older because he's that kind of guy. So, I figure this feed will help control that a little. Beau has done fine on it, hasn't gained any weight from bumping up to the higher fat feed.

Do you blanket him in the cold? The higher fat would probably be okay for him during the winter if he's not blanketed. You kind of have to experiment with what works best for him - I went through 3 feeds in 3 months for my gang before I settled on Carb-Guard.
​

 

[MN Tigerstripes]

Is he on free choice hay already? Is he too skinny? Is he changing exercise regiments?

Just curious why grain would be needed in this circumstance. It isn't going to keep him warmer than hay (digestion of hay provides the greatest amount of warmth to a horse.) If he's a little on the skinny side, I would consider adding some alfalfa hay (or just better quality grass hay) to his diet before adding any grain. Or if he is on limited hay try increasing the amount of hay and that'll increase both the calories and keep him warmer.

 

[mls]

SafeChoice by Nutrena.

You can feed as much or as little as you need - without making the horse 'hot'.

 

[sillybunny11486]

I like safe choice, but for my mare I wont give her anything more then 12%.

Giving him beet pulp and alfalfa pellets, or some type of forage extended is just a forage substitute so his diet wont be changed too much. Some horses who havent had grain in a while might not eat pellets.

 

[luvs2ride1979]

I use Alfalfa pellets. They're high in calorie, have a good nutrient content, have quality protein and amino acids, and are readily available almost anywhere. Look for pellets with no molasses and no animal fat. You can add a little water or oil to make supplements stick/mix. I feed mine just 1/2 of a 3qt feed scoop a day to keep weight on and mix in their vitamins. My horses are also fed free choice hay.

Hay pellets also take longer to digest, which keeps the horse "warmer" internally than grains or grain-based products, which are digested quickly.

 

[ShannonSevenfold]

My Beau - I only blanket him when it's raining and freezing or very windy.

MN - He is on free-choice hay. He was a rescue and is not currently being ridden. However, he is broke and is soon to be back into work.

To all - The main purpose of feeding grain is to be able to feed him the supplements he needs. He is also not blanketed regularily and I'd like to just add a couple more calories to his diet.

 

[MN Tigerstripes]

If it is just to get a supplement into him with a little extra calories I'd go with alfalfa pellets (soaked) or some soaked beet pulp. High fiber to help keep him warmer and good for mixing powders The other pelleted feeds won't hold the powder unless you moisten them and they'll probably provide other things he doesn't really need. Especially if he is an easier keeper like you previously noted.

I don't think it matters if you blanket them. As long as they have a good coat, good weight, and shelter from wind/rain they'll be fine. Mine go throughout the MN winters just fine without blankets or grain.

 

[luvs2ride1979]

To all - The main purpose of feeding grain is to be able to feed him the supplements he needs. He is also not blanketed regularily and I'd like to just add a couple more calories to his diet.

The the Alfalfa pellets are the way to go then. They're safe "cool" calories for most horses, and they're readily available.

 

[PaintsPwn]

ADM Ultra-Fiber is a low starch feed that is high in fiber, we pair it with ADM's Metabolic Mineral Pellets and a daily dewormer. My horse has NEVER looked better.

 

[garysheets]

Take a look at Enhance Equine Senior. the price per bag is higher than most on the market but the feed ratio is only 1# per 700# of horse.
It is actually cheaper to feed than a $10.00 bag of sweet feed in most cases.
It's mostly Rice Bran and soybean so you get a great looking coat and the horse doesn't get all sugared up from molases and corn.
Know a thoroughbred trainer at a race track that uses it and ended up saving $1000.00 a month on his feed bill.
The vitamin/mineral ratio is way higher than others also, so you don't have to worry just because you are feeding less your still getting everything you need.

 

[ShannonSevenfold]

So it looks like the general consensus is something like alfalfa pellets.. Thanks, guys. I'll look into that! =)

MN - I live in Wisconsin, so we're about the same climate. I only blanket him when it's raining and freezing or super windy because he just stands out there and shakes instead of going in the shelter. -headdesk-

 

[MN Tigerstripes]

Typical. Mine like to stand outside too... Well at least a couple of them do. My old lead mare (she died years ago) wouldn't ever come into shelter. No matter how bad the weather was.. Drove me nuts sometimes. She'd be completely covered in snow or completely wet and wanted nothing to do with the lean to. Weird.

 

[Maverick101]

I'd like to put my guy onto some sort of grain or pelletted feed now that it has started to get pretty cold here. I'd just like to add a few more callories to his diet. My vet has also suggested adding a couple supplements to his diet as well, but it is difficult to do this as he is currently only on grass and free-choice hay. I am looking for a feed that won't make him hot-headed as this is already an issue as it stands, and something I could keep him on indefinately. If anyone has any thoughts that could help me, responses are appreciate!

Alot of feed manufacturers are starting to have a line of Lower Starch feeds (starch is what will make your horse "Hot" if they are getting too much in their diet)...I use Front Runner COOL COMMAND. Mcauleys also makes one called ALAM I belive.