Discussion on Probiotics VS Ration Plus
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| Author |
Message |
    
Cindy Thomas
Member
Username: Cindyt
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 26, 2005 - 11:36 pm: |   |
Hello everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has had sucess with adding probiotics to their horses diet.
I have a horse that I am in constant weight struggle with and I am looking for a product that could help improve his appetite. it seems as if some days he is ready to scarf down is grain meal, but other times he will reject it. the grain is the same, nothing changed. He gets free choice hay and lives a stress free life.?? (teeth are recently floated, reg. worming program)
Ulcers have come to my mind--and I am making arrangements with my vet to presue this idea further. however in the mean while I would like to introduce something into his diet that could boost his appetite.
he is bright eyed and bushy tailed, shining coat??
so--what do you guys think about using probiotics or Ration Plus to boost his appetite. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 12192
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 28, 2005 - 6:43 am: | |
Cindy what type hay do your feed and what type and how much grain are you giving?
DrO |
Cindy Thomas
Member
Username: Cindyt
Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 28, 2005 - 9:55 am: | |
Dr.O
I feed free choice orchard grass. It is green, soft, and fresh smelling.
I know that this is probably a bad way to analyse the amount of grain fed, but I currenty feed 1 and 3/4 can (large coffee can) of southern states Equitech 10. It has 10% protein and 10%fat. I have 'experimented' with many different types of grains and protein/fat ratios, including all triple crown varities, blue seal, and Purina.
the grain is fresh and free from contaminates.
My horse is strange because sometimes scarfs the grain up, and other times he acts like he would prefer to starve. and other times he will take a couple of bites and walk away. feeding times are quite and predictable.
oh yeah--he will not eat tanted grain. not even with veg. oil/rice bran oil, rice bran, corn oil.
hes strange?!
Do you think that probiotics might help him?
Thanks--Cindy |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 12199
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 1, 2005 - 6:54 am: | |
I think a probiotic is unlikely to help. I would make two changes. First I would take my concentrate and divide it into 3 daily feedings instead of 2. Next I would start offering alfalfa (hay or cubes) along with my orchardgrass and see if she will eat that. If she prefers the alfalfa it has significantly more calories and may bolster the protein in her diet a bit.
DrO |
