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  Discussion on Soy Meal
Author Message
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Monday, Feb 21, 2005 - 11:50 pm:

Dr O and All, I am inquiring about this for a friend who is trying to put weight on a mare that is at the bottom of the pecking order. The horse has been separated from the others now. She said she 'heard' somewhere that Soy Meal can be given to horses that need to gain weight. I've never heard of it. Any ideas? Thanks, Shirl
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 2:31 am:

Hi, Shirl,

While in CO last year, I observed soy meal being fed regularly to some breeding stock . . . lots of protein . . . It has a wonderful smell . . . like peanut butter, and the horses practically inhaled it when it was put on their grain. . . . I believe the amount fed was about 4 ounces per horse.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 7:54 am:

Shirley, it would be best to balance the diet at about 14 to 16 percent protein (for weight gain) and provide lots of high quality forage like alfalfa, slowly making the change. If the soy meal does help balance the diet great. Now that she has separated the horse she has fixed the main problem.
DrO
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 11:59 am:

Dr. O and Holly,
I just spoke to the girl that's taken over the care of this mare, and I think what she is feeding is adequate, but I'd like your expert advice. She gets 7-1/2 lbs of alfalfa AM & PM which she doesn't always clean up, Beet Pulp total per day 5 lbs., 5 lbs of Equine Complete Pellets per day. Your thoughts? Thanks so much to both of you. Shirl
Member:
Chohler

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 2:15 pm:

remember it takes a while to put weight back on.
health problems, worming, teeth add to it.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 3:01 pm:

Shirl,
Thought I have had success is rehabilitating several horses (usually aged and neglected) I am no expert in nutrition. It seems as if the horse is getting lots of protein, though, which she needs for building muscle. Make sure her calcium/phosphorus ratio is good, though. I never fed Beet Pulp without also feeding bran, but maybe there is enough of a balance with the Complete Pellets? I think the article on nutrition addresses the proper ratios.
Will there be "before" and "after" photos for us?
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 4:11 pm:

Holly, thanks for the post. The girl taking care of this horse doesn't own her, but is helping the owner, who is working 110 miles away (Phx, AZ). I'm printing out every post I get on this, plus will go into the Nutrition site and print that also. I will ask her if she's getting bran, I'm sure she is but the girl probably forgot to include it in what she passed on to me. I'm going out soon to check out the horse myself. Thanks again, Shirl
Member:
Christos

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 5:14 pm:

Shirley, I'd stick with DrO's advice.
Protein meals are to correct the protein balance to some 15%. Only.
Even in very hard working horses, you'll see more protein in their feed just because they get more grain and less hay so that they can cover the energy demand. Protein balance changes very little, if at all.
Protein alone will not build muscle. A very balanced diet and plenty of exercise will.
Excess protein may actually heat the horse up, thus applying brakes on her metabolism, which is the exact opposite of what you're trying to achieve.
Also, experimenting for maximum energy intake with grains and meals on a horse that is not accustomed to it and does not get plenty (a lot) of exercise may not be the safest idea.
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2005 - 5:26 pm:

Thanks Christos, I agree with you and Dr. O. I talked to the girl just a little bit ago and told her what I've learned from the above, as well as having printed it out. Just didn't want her adding more 'fuel to the fire'. As is, when she rides this horse she says she "jigs" (her words) a lot. I warned her to not increase things suddenly also. Thanks for your help, all of you. Even though I've lost Sierra, I'm greatful for the things I'm still learning here that enables me to help others. Thanks again, Shirl
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 6:53 am:

The problem with the diet you outline may have a calcium phosphorous imbalance. It is not good to pair beet pulp with alfalfa without add phosphorous, see the article on forage on how to do this. Of course any diet has to be evaluated in light of its effect on the horses condition.
DrO
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005 - 12:25 pm:

Thanks Dr. O
I will pass that info along as well as what I learn under "forage".
Appreciate your advice always

Shirl
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