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Discussion on Is this okay?
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Member:
gwen
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 - 7:48 am:
Dr. O, I have read the basic nutrition article. However, I just want to get an opinion on what I am currently feeding my tb.
He is getting 3 quarts of hay stretcher twice a day, with 1/4 cup corn oil. He also gets beet pulp once a day, and on average, about between six and eight flakes of hay a day (I wish he could get more, but he is boarded). Anyway, he seems to be in good weight, but his energy seems down a bit (not necessarily a bad thing!), so I am wondering if this is a sufficient diet for a five year old tb based on what you have heard. Should he be getting a supplement of some kind? Thanks!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 - 8:46 am:
Gwen, it sounds like you have met the most important criteria for judging good nutrition: a healthy horse. However I cannot answer your general questions with any accuracy as there are too many variables which are unaccounted for including the most basic: is your horse receiving adequate amounts of a good quality forage?
You can feed your horse well by just simply following the "Golden Rule" but to answer your specific questions really requires understanding the whole article. Put the Overview article in front of you along with a pencil and paper. Go through the article again, but only after you really understand what the "golden rule" is saying. Then be sure you understand where the essential nutrients come from and compare it to your feeds. Pay particular attention to the "Practical Considerations". As you go through it write down any questions you have but I think you will find the answers to the questions you pose here in the article.
DrO
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 - 10:53 am:
Gwen, my other thought is that perhaps he's been working harder then usual, thus is not quite as energetic as he previously was. I know you're trying a new rider on him and the harder work might be taking the edge off him.
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Member:
gwen
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 - 5:16 pm:
Okay Dr. O. That is actually good advice for reading all of the articles. They tend to overwhelm me with the abundance of visual information!
Fran, I think you are right too about Theo being pooped by his new workload. He actually decided to protest the whole idea these past few days-tried a stand-off of planting his feet and not moving. I did "win" in the end... Anyway, that could be a huge factor.
I just have been having second thoughts about the diet because I think I have grown up giving my horses grain ALWAYS, so to take grain away altogether is really SCARY!
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