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Discussion on Grain DrOpping
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Member:
catbil94
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Posted on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 - 12:17 pm:
Hello:
I haven't seen a topic on this, so my apologies if it has been discussed. My 12-year old gelding DrOps about 1/3 of his feed every time he eats. He currently eats Nutrena Safe Choice, 3 pounds a day (1.5 pounds, twice daily), a flake of hay with each feeding and unlimited pasture. He is maintaining his weight at present. His feed is given to him in a large feed pan from the ground. He was seen by the equine dentist about two months ago. It did not make a difference in his DrOppage.
I've noticed he DrOps more grain when he lifts his head to watch what is going on around him. I can't put him in an enclosed area to eat, or I would have tried that. Any suggestions you may have? In the winter I give him 6 pounds of grain, two flakes of hay per feeding, as well as dacBloom to maintain his weight. He is turned out in the witner as well. I would describe him as a hard keeper.
thank you!
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 - 1:56 pm:
My 14 year old mare does the same thing & her baby snatches up what she DrOps while she obliviously DrOps it on him & everywhere around. I've had other horses that snap at nearby horses with a mouthful, DrOpping what's in their mouths as they do (which the other horses soon figured out & encouraged).
Dr O? What's your take?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Jul 14, 2008 - 3:38 pm:
Cathy I can't tell you the reason, but I can give you a decent cure. All of mine DrOp their "grain" teeth are fine according to vet. However they are not hard keepers.
In the winter mine get safechoice and alfalfa pellets, I water them down enough to turn them to mush not waterey. When I feed I make the next batch for the next feeding. I keep it in our basement so I don't have to worry about spoilage or freezing. If you don't have that option it takes about 2 hrs. for it to turn to mush. Mine quit DrOpping it! They lick the bowl now instead
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 - 10:17 am:
Hello Cathy,
I recommend the use of a "fish bowl" style feeder mounted at a little above chest height to help with sloppy horses that DrOp their feed. I am not sure where Janette bought the one we have but it mounts permanently to the wall and has a relatively small "mouth" at the entrance of the feeder.
Large smooth round stones placed in the feeder may also help. The stones force the horse to eat around them and encourage smaller bites.
DrO
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 - 11:03 am:
Thanks, Dr. O....I love the suggestion, but please clarify. I don't want to have to look up intestinal blockages this weekend. I know what I mean when I say large, please be specific as to what you mean when YOU say large.
Cathy, thanks for posting this question, My 6yo FQHA gelding does this too, and I thought it was just something I had to learn to live with (bonus for the dogs)... I like Diane's suggestion too, it makes perfect sense. thanks everybody.
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Member:
annes
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 - 4:26 pm:
My TB has always DrOpped grain. I spread his feed out over 3 large feeders - the big round ones(mine are green) that hook over a board on his stall. This forces him to eat slower and when he does lift his head it is over one of the other feeders. There is very little DrOpped now for the dogs although they still stand under his feet "just in case".
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 - 5:05 pm:
Lol Ann! My dogs wait at the other end! It's their favorite (disgusting) snack... Waiting to hear Dr O's approximate size of stones, think I'll try that on my mare too. She's so funny, she DrOols when she sees her bucket coming & then DrOps huge mouthfulls all over her baby...
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008 - 6:23 pm:
I would say about the size of your fist on the stones.
DrO
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