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Post by welshab on Apr 1, 2017 8:16:56 GMT
Just wondering if anyone still feeds oats these days. I have been reading up and it seems that they are safer to feed than other cereals? Also if correct amount fed that they shouldn't make horse fizzy? Would they help put on a bit of condition if fed along side unmollassed sugarbeet to balance out the calcium and phospherous?
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sarahp
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Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 1, 2017 8:36:26 GMT
SafER might be the word to use, for small natives I choose to avoid all cereals and mollasses. I have had to have a precious A mare pts last week with laminitis - she came home with it. Such a very painful condition for them to have, I'll do everything I can to avoid any of them getting it. My vet described it like having blood blisters under all your fingernails and having to walk on them.
Why not explore the fibre/oil route instead, plenty of products around now that maximise their ability to supply calories without making horses fizzy.
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Post by welshab on Apr 1, 2017 8:49:44 GMT
Thankyou and sorry to hear about your pony. I am currently feeding unmollsssed sugar beet, micronized linseed and cold pressed rapeseed oil and adlib haylage. I was just thinking of adding a small amount of oats for a bit of extra show condition?
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sarahp
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Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 1, 2017 9:13:01 GMT
I start with the forage element of the diet and the first thing I'd add is a balancer to provide all necessary micronutrients including essential aminoacids. Then whatever you choose for extra calories in the quantity the pony needs for work/weight gain.
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Post by welshab on Apr 1, 2017 9:25:14 GMT
Is there a balancer you would recommend? I have been a bit wary of using a balancer as I have heard lots of stories about them
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 1, 2017 17:38:35 GMT
I used to use Top Spec but have now moved on to Saracen Stamm 30. There should be nothing to fear about a balancer unless your pony is so malnourished (not under nourished) that it feels a lot better on a balancer, not the same as being fizzed up by starch and sugar. They can change from looking OK but nothing special to looking all bright eyed and bushy tailed when fed a balancer. I've had them with far better skin, coats and hoof horn growth on a balancer than they were before. Balancers were originally designed for TB foals that were growing too fast so breeders needed to reduce the calories fed while still maintaining all the micronutrients.
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