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Discussion on Oxalate, Kikiyu Grass, and Calcium
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Posted on Saturday, May 4, 2002 - 5:27 pm:
Dr. Oglesby, My suckling foal, yearling , broodmare, and riding gelding get turned out on irrigated, fertilized, kikuyu grass 6 hours a day.
For the yearling and older gelding I feed 1/2 alfalfa, 1/2 orchard grass hay, LMF suppersupplemnt G, and 1 oz. Dynamite 2 to 1 Ca/Phos Is calcium binding/oxalate a problem with being on the kikuyu so much, and am I adding enough calcium in their diet with the 1/2 alfalfa feeding and Dynamite 2 to 1? It is about 5 lbs total alfalfa a day each.
The suckling foal and broodmare get Mannna Pro broodmare and foal, plus straight alfalfa twice a day to complement the kikuyu pasture 6 hours a day. Is this ideal? Do they need another source of calcuim for the calcium binding/kikuyu problem?
If I do not fertilize the kikuyu pasture, is the oxalate content less?
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Posted on Monday, May 6, 2002 - 7:36 am:
Hello Natalie,
Without knowing the amount of oxalate in your grass it is impossible for me to know if you are OK. Does your local ag services offer a service to check your kikuyu grass? Neither can I find any research on how fertilization effects the concentrate of oxylate in kikuyu.
Once you find the amount of oxalate in your grass you can calculate the safe amount using the information on oxalate poisoning in the article Care for Horses: Nutrition: Calcium, Phosphorus in the Diet.
DrO
PS Natalie, if you are asking a question about your horse, you should never place it at the bottom of someone elses post, start a new discussion in a appropriate topic. This is the most common reason for deleted, moved, or unanswered questions. I will move this question in a few days to its own discussion.
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