tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post5406354881772633947..comments2024-01-06T02:00:05.220-07:00Comments on SprinklerBandits: Feeding the SporthorseSprinklerBandithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-22386819172324698092013-11-20T18:18:11.418-07:002013-11-20T18:18:11.418-07:00My horses are on 24/7 and are perfectly healthy an...My horses are on 24/7 and are perfectly healthy and in good weight on just grass and a salt/mineral lick. <br />However in the competition season October - March when they are working and competing hard I will feed them grain twice a day. <br />In the winter they get extra hay and if its really cold they get beet pulp to help them hold their weight :)<br />Glad your horses are doing well without supplements. Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03285687707142504098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-24329394610210401052013-11-15T02:52:35.701-07:002013-11-15T02:52:35.701-07:00I would recommend using something like Feed XL to ...I would recommend using something like Feed XL to check and make sure the diet is balanced and providing the proper levels of nutrition. I believe a month of using the program is something like $15.Frizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03084225669041286128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-25055194711288808062013-11-14T14:15:07.147-07:002013-11-14T14:15:07.147-07:00Harley is a hardkeeping QH who used to work hard i...Harley is a hardkeeping QH who used to work hard in the arena. During that time, I failed to find an affordable supplement that helped him maintain or gain weight. Senior feed and beet pulp did not work any magic. Ultium was the high fast feed that finally made a difference, but I had to feed a lot with his hay (24/7 turnout). Last year, he looked great with alfalfa cubes added on work days and is currently maintaining nicely with haystretcher pellets and less grain, but he also basically on vacation so that factors in heavily.<br /><br />My SmartPak includes ABCsPlus probios and CoughFree. He also gets sandclear each month which is a must in our sandy region. <br /><br />I used to feed a joint supplement, Mg, and e-lites, but decided that it was a waste after my vet said I was paying for really expensive horse urine. ;)Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-35933341547634647872013-11-14T11:25:55.527-07:002013-11-14T11:25:55.527-07:00Speaking as someone owning a crew of woolly native...Speaking as someone owning a crew of woolly native bush monsters, I have never had to use supplements apart from a salt lick and sometimes a general mineral supplement if they start doing silly stuff like eating sand. Even my new OTTB, who was unceremoniously thrown out into a pasture with no shoes, no stabling and minimal blanketing and consequently thrived, does just fine on a medium-quality riding horse feed and ad lib hay.Firnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805076661186739474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-58329652730458601442013-11-14T09:33:47.220-07:002013-11-14T09:33:47.220-07:00Definitely good points to consider. We sort of hav...Definitely good points to consider. We sort of have winter and I have bulked up Cuna's feed a bit, adding beet pulp and cool calories and some rice bran to get him some extra weight before the temps drop too much. That said, he's looking good and it's really better for him to be thinner instead of fatter (yay rehabbing feet). <br /><br />Courage is younger and has a stall, so I'm less concerned about his weight. We'll see how he does and I'm happy to change things as needed.SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-35506962554847611412013-11-14T07:28:45.884-07:002013-11-14T07:28:45.884-07:00While I agree for the most part with that article,...While I agree for the most part with that article, the line about them not surviving in the wild- well, they aren't wild horses. They are sport horses. Wiz is a thoroughbred who has been bred and bred NOT to survive in the wild. He gets unreasonably cold in the winter. He's hard to keep weight on. Versus the mustang at our barn that can survive anything- he's bred to survive. So I wouldn't say that's necessarily true.<br /><br />Wiz does fine in the summer on nothing, but as soon as winter hits, his weight drops. Last year he contracted EPM, which I think was a mix of being cold/weight loss=low immune system. So my supplements for him really just focus on bolstering his immune system and weight. In a few years, I'll probably add joint maintenance because, again, we'll be doing work that is NOT natural in the wild, and it'll be nice for him to have that support.<br /><br />That being said, I'm not a fan of brand names necessarily. I believe you use what works. I tried smartpak's smart gut or whatever it's called for Wizard's runny poo- it was expensive and did nothing. (Wiz basically has pony irritable bowel syndrome lol). A 30$ bucket (160 day supply) of Animed Anigest gave me results immediately. I use a Dumor (Tractor Supply's brand) omega supplement to help balance his omegas (which we do tend to throw out of balance when they're eating oats) which also includes a lot of anti-inflammatory/immune boosting qualities which helps with his EPM. But that's also 30$ a bag which lasts me about three months, much less expensive and just as/if not more effective than the more expensive brand names. And then I buy a 10$ bottle of vitamin E at walgreens and throw it in there for it's anti-inflammatory effects- again, I just put a lot of attention on that because EPM relapses are usually just a re-triggering of the inflammatory pathways that EPM messed up in the first place.<br /><br />But I definitely think it's fine to just 'wait and see' with your boys. No need to add supplements until they need it! I don't know where you live, but I do wish I had been a little more proactive about supplements/feed with Wiz last winter. He was fine and fat and then in late February just dropped it all suddenly. Just something to consider with the winter coming! :) (which you may not have much of!)AlchemyEventinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14428382410717322169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-76292496705025444722013-11-13T16:09:01.998-07:002013-11-13T16:09:01.998-07:00At least 1/2 the year my horse is not on grass due...At least 1/2 the year my horse is not on grass due to weather conditions, ie. mud. So he's on Timothy and local hay throughout the day. He gets 2cups rice bran pellets 2x day (free from barn). His SmartPak which I started the day I bought him is 1x day and has always included at least a joint supp. <br /><br />His SP is Matrix 5 H/A (joint) and Daily Omega Plus for all the goodies like Flax seed and the Omegas and multi vitamins. It's $113/m. I tried to get the best combination of ingredients (joint and multi-vit) at a decent price and that he would actually eat (he didn't like SP brand supps).<br /><br />I could live without him getting the Daily Omega Plus, but I would kick myself every he was lame if I stopped giving the Matrix 5 H/A. He's 15yo with X-rays showing mild to severe (depending which vet you ask) changes in both front lower pasterns (from 2 years ago) and I haven't had to inject yet.<br /><br />He jumps about 3x/wk (up to 2'3"), ridden 3-6x/wk anywhere from 30-60mins. He never breaks a sweat, so it's hardly 'work'. ;)2LeftSockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11414707358481052987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-64635941302893392652013-11-13T15:56:37.675-07:002013-11-13T15:56:37.675-07:00OP, well saidOP, well saidCheckmark115https://www.blogger.com/profile/08875106264738444238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-57588863537602350852013-11-13T15:55:09.338-07:002013-11-13T15:55:09.338-07:00I feel like supplements are one of those things I ...I feel like supplements are one of those things I use as insurance. Sure, he doesn't REALLY need weight gain, biotin and joint supps...but why not. I use the "compare" box thingy on smartpak and it lets me compare ingredients and price and usually the off brand has almost the same stuff as the name brand. Cheaper=better and I have a piece of mind.<br /><br />He is a hard keeper and I firmly believe the weight gain keeps him from dropping weight, even with all the hay I give. Sadly not free choice or his buddy would eat it all, and we pay separate for our hay...whomp whomp.<br /><br />He does pretty well with 10% fat 14% protein mixed sweet feed and supps. Plus 4 flakes hay at night. IN all I spend about $160 a month on feeds and such. Not too bad for a prissy lil TB who's a hard keeperCheckmark115https://www.blogger.com/profile/08875106264738444238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-21818949448770397092013-11-13T10:03:02.411-07:002013-11-13T10:03:02.411-07:00I feed what my BO offers (a mixture of oats and Tr...I feed what my BO offers (a mixture of oats and Tribute grain). My horse is on 24/7 turnout with nice pasture for three seasons, and round bales all year. I supplement with a scoop of flax seed, a multivitamin, a joint supplement, and a hoof supplement. Here's why:<br />Flax: Makes his coat shiny, and I think it adds some extra Omegas in the wintertime. That's really all. It's stupid cheap and doesn't hurt. <br />Multivitamin: I started this after realizing that my horse was a bit slow to heal superficial scratches, and a few other little things. This is still in the experimental stage (I just started it a few weeks ago). I worry that without getting the full serving of Tribute grain, he's missing out on the full dosage of needed vit/min, in the winter especially. <br />Joint Supplement: He has advanced arthritis. I'm not sure this really does anything & I'm slowly phasing it out. The only joint supplement I've personally seen do any good was pure HA, and I'd rather see it injected directly into the joint. So .... <br />Hoof Supplement: I feed Farrier's Formula Double Strength. This stuff has actually made a huge difference in my horse's feet. Since he's barefoot and I care for them, I can tell you with absolute certainty that this stuff helps him. I'm never taking him off.<br /><br />In the summer I also sup. an electrolyte. My horse eats salt, so I'm not so worried about that. He is a heavy sweater, though. I worry about the other minerals lost during sweating (like potassium and the like). I notice an increase of energy in the summer when he is fed the electrolytes regularly. <br /><br />In summary? Shiny coats = good. Joint supplements = pretty useless. Hoof supplements = awesome. Electrolytes = as needed. Austenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004088333430762406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-53114818450445430192013-11-13T08:16:54.198-07:002013-11-13T08:16:54.198-07:00I find Australia fascinating. I'm glad you'...I find Australia fascinating. I'm glad you're addressing the local concerns and supplementing as needed.SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-38752412532644873532013-11-13T08:16:11.715-07:002013-11-13T08:16:11.715-07:00I completely agree to the point that I might edit ...I completely agree to the point that I might edit my post to mention this. "Wild" (feral) horses are not exactly the picture of health AND their exercise levels have very little to do with the modern sport horse.<br /><br />That said. Of all the domesticated horses I've ever met, less than 10% of them actually do anything that I'd consider work. W/T in an arena once or twice a month in the summer really doesn't count. SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-37555070471204843282013-11-13T08:13:44.358-07:002013-11-13T08:13:44.358-07:00See, and I'd go with "some hood supplemen...See, and I'd go with "some hood supplements make some difference but joint supps are a bunch of snake oil". Interesting. Do you have any non-smartpak-sponsored research about joint supplements? I'd love to read it.SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-77909306058070868042013-11-13T00:06:53.721-07:002013-11-13T00:06:53.721-07:00All VERY good points, as usual! :-)
At my last bo...All VERY good points, as usual! :-)<br /><br />At my last boarding barn, the BO kept complaining to me about the amount of grain that Salem ate. I just could NOT get it through to her that, according to the bag, he was eating the minimum amount and if he ate any less he would not be getting the required amounts of vits/mins/etc. She just did.not.get.it. She kept saying, "But he's not ACTIVE!!!!" Her little Western air-fern Paint and her husband's air-fern Belgian draft were on a tiny amount of grain (most likely not enough for required vits/mins and they probably should have just been on a ration balancer or vit/min supplement) and she thought my big built-like-a-WB TB should eat a similar amount!Frizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03084225669041286128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-83048222316786661632013-11-13T00:01:31.087-07:002013-11-13T00:01:31.087-07:00I have heard GREAT things about California Trace! ...I have heard GREAT things about California Trace! Although I also hear that it's $$$ Frizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03084225669041286128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-33118795733100079332013-11-12T23:59:05.065-07:002013-11-12T23:59:05.065-07:00If you have your hay and/or pasture tested and it ...If you have your hay and/or pasture tested and it can provide all the vits/mins in required amounts, you're golden. However, that is *usually* not the case. And some vits/mins are required for, ya know, living--for example, did you know that calcium is absolutely essential for muscle movement? I learned that one the hard way (long story!).<br />So, while I do agree that a forage-based, simple diet is often the best, you do have to do your due diligence and make sure that your horse's diet is balanced. Maybe that means a pelleted vit/min supplement, or a ration balancer. Maybe Courage will need more fat once he is working harder. But the most important thing is making sure that they are getting enough vits/mins as well as protein, and the only way you can do that is by testing the hay and pasture, and supplementing accordingly if necessary.<br />As in everything with horses, there is no "one size fits all" approach.<br />Salem has free-choice orchard hay and/or grass in front of him at all times, since horses are meant to graze almost 24/7. But he is a huge calorie-burning TB, so he also gets Seminole Senior (enough to fulfill vit/min/protein requirements) and some soaked T/A cubes. He DOES get a few supplements--salt so he drinks enough, whole flax for omega 3s (anti-inflammatory), and currently Daily Calm (mainly panax ginseng) because of his recent MASSIVE freak-out episode. That is what works for him. :-)Frizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03084225669041286128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-74296232803174888982013-11-12T19:40:22.083-07:002013-11-12T19:40:22.083-07:00There's definitely not one feed that's rig...There's definitely not one feed that's right for every horse. I worked at a local feed store for about 10 years and it was amazing to see the people who stuck with feed like B. Seal Trotter and Charger for 20+ years and those who were always in looking for the next best thing. Every time we had new feed I would get my hands on all the information and dabbled in changing feeds with my OTTB. A lot of time though we actually do more damage always switching feeds instead of just sticking with the one we started with and worked fine. Why change something when it's working? Sometimes less is more :)Madeline C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14246076712179468308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-77331002673865073432013-11-12T17:10:19.621-07:002013-11-12T17:10:19.621-07:00I am LOVING all these comments! Super interesting!...I am LOVING all these comments! Super interesting! Bohemian does not have access to any natural grasses to graze on whatsoever. He gets 3 flakes alfalfa and 2 flakes oat hay (oat, wheat, barley mix), spread over 3 meals each day. He has a Redman rock on a rope that he loves to lick. I also feed him beet pulp and rice bran to help with weight (his ribs really like to show because they know it bugs me), and he gets a supplement called California Trace which is a multi-mineral and vitamin supplement specifically designed to supplement what west coast hays lack. It came highly recommended by several people, and my chief purposes in feeding it is (a) neurological support, and (b) hoof support, since he goes barefoot. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15925650148327532110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-68276487876254323782013-11-12T16:50:12.095-07:002013-11-12T16:50:12.095-07:00I've always just had my horses on a single bro...I've always just had my horses on a single broad-spectrum supplement. In Australia, the most important feed requirement (in my opinion) is the Calcium:Phosphorus. Our pasture is seriously deficient in calcium and can effect growth and development. As long as the supplement I'm feeding is high calcium (Oh, and has some selenium in there too- we're deficient in that as well!) then I've found my ponies to flourish. <br />I use salt in summer (loose salt mixed into the feed- I find a salt lick doesn't give enough salt in Aussie heat) and I've used biotin for a few horses.<br /><br />My current pony is on 'equilibrium' mineral mix http://www.equiaustralia.com.au/ , a protein pellet and 24/7 good quality grass. He looks pretty good to me!Leeshhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504626914889252270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-88876662215322903722013-11-12T16:02:10.502-07:002013-11-12T16:02:10.502-07:00I wanted to add, after reading the article, his qu...I wanted to add, after reading the article, his quote that you used should be qualified with the fact that horses living in the wild have a life span of 6-10 years, are often ridden with parasites, DO get crappy feet (those die sooner), oh and they don't have to do XC courses or balanced, cadenced, connected canters with a rider on their back.<br /><br />So a sporthorse often WILL need more than just "hay, oats and water," to maintain his weight and be able to do his demanding job. A pleasure horse in a good pasture who "comes out and trots around a while?" Lower nutrition demands. <br /><br />And I will qualify all of THAT by saying that I DO agree that many supplements are akin to "snake oil" (she says, suspiciously eyeing the currently trendy Platinum Plus, wtf even is that?) and if your horse does need grain, you DO need to choose a quality feed designed for what your horse does need and READ THE BAG. A 1/4 scoop of grain does nothing but give your horse something to do with his mouth.eventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-32654227109689070712013-11-12T15:50:07.816-07:002013-11-12T15:50:07.816-07:00It is true that horses do not get as much salt fro...It is true that horses do not get as much salt from a lick as they do from loose salt and I do feed loose salt if I want to increase a horse's water intake, but I would not say "no good." Solo LOVES the pink salt and licks the round chunk on a rope in his shed quite a lot so he does ingest it. Yes, I have read the studies and yes, I am a zoologist, so I would say...it's a grey continuum, not black and white.eventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-89827098845447118782013-11-12T15:45:26.794-07:002013-11-12T15:45:26.794-07:00I completely agree that less is more and I only ad...I completely agree that less is more and I only add something if they NEED it. Currently we are forage limited and there is only so much I can do (hey, I bought a damn farm, it has a TON of great forage!). <br /><br />Solo does get some grain (both get TC Complete) but because he does not get the recommended amount, he gets a vitamin/mineral scoop so his diet is balanced (I can't afford my own supply of fancy hay).<br /><br />Encore gets extra fat due to his workload and metabolism, salt because his spring mild colic when he randomly quit drinking scared the crap out of me, and a tummy soother because something like 60% of all horses in work and 90% of racehorses have ulcers to varying degrees at varying points.<br /><br />It LOOKS like a lot, but it really isn't and it will be less when they move to the farm and have tons of grass and hay!eventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-89265094955934180572013-11-12T15:17:30.420-07:002013-11-12T15:17:30.420-07:00I've done the same as you, really cleaned up a...I've done the same as you, really cleaned up and gone to minimal feeding as in: 24/7 turnout on grass. Hay supplied when needed. TONS of it. Soaked Tim/Alf cubes in winter as extra moisture/food. Free salt/min 24/7. Grain is 50/50 mix of TCLS with black oil sunflower seeds in shell. Kristen Eleni Shellenbargerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01458744919530540978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-60816215538573737512013-11-12T14:55:11.888-07:002013-11-12T14:55:11.888-07:00Mexi is in a situation like Cuna: 24/7 turnout wit...Mexi is in a situation like Cuna: 24/7 turnout with good grass and ad lib access to good quality hay, sometimes haylage in the winter. I am blessed with an easy keeper (*knock wood*), and at this point in her life, she does not need anything else.<br /><br />There have been times when I've wondered if her current nutrition needs improving, especially given her small stature. Then I tell myself to stop looking for problems, and to start thinking rationally. If my horse is fat and healthy, and the 2yo in the exact same situation is nearing 17hh, it's proooobably just that she's going to be a small horse. Wishful thinking, maybe?<br /><br />When I had her at one of the two different boarding facilities I've use, she was on a high protein (due to her age) ration balancer calories added as necessary through oats, soy beans, etc. And of course, lots of good quality hay. That's always my first concern.<br /><br />I have looked into joint supplements (MSM, glucosamine, etc.) as I would ideally like to have a happy, healthy horse for a long time, but numerous vets have told me it's a waste of money. Certainly won't hurt her, but won't really help her either.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10238021062787055041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-647406862592675556.post-57308848776012834172013-11-12T14:46:06.669-07:002013-11-12T14:46:06.669-07:00Interesting about the salt licks. I was unaware of...Interesting about the salt licks. I was unaware of that.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10238021062787055041noreply@blogger.com