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Discussion on Nutritional advice needed for 2 yr old gelding
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New Member:
Sondra
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 12, 2005 - 11:54 am:
Hello, thanks in advance for your advice and I'll try to provide all pertinent info. My 2 year, 5 month old gelding recently moved to a farm where the trainer feeds alfalfa hay, and a combo of soaked beet pulp and Omolene 100 grain.
Is it safe for a 2 year old to be eating alfalfa like this? He avoids stems but now has a hay net. He is on pasture 6-8 hours a day but this is the NE (souther NJ) and in winter grass is pretty none-existent. He has a salt block in his stall and a big white block in the paddock.
I also thought it would be wise to supplement him with a probiotic (like FastTrack), E/Selenium, and a multi-vitamin (Platinum Performance).
My main concern though is whether this alfalfa/beet pulp diet is optimal/safe for his age. He's a TB/WB cross.
One thing to note: when he first got to this farm he gas colicked after 10 days. He previously had been on pure Timothy hay and Nutrena Youth grain. I don't know if the new diet at this new place was too rich and caused the colic. Just thought I should share this other info. If you need to know additional info of any kind to answer my post please let me know.
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New Member:
Sondra
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 - 9:06 am:
I should add that what I'm specifically concerned with is whether there is too much calcium (and not enough phosphorus) in a diet like this for a 2 year old (alfalfa & beet pulp) to the point where DOD or OCD is a concern? He'll be there for about 6 months and they do not alter their feed program.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 - 12:19 pm:
And your concern is justified Sondra although OCD is not likely to occur at this age. I would be concerned about healthy bone physiology. If they will not adjust this diet you should move your horse. Explain to them that both the alfalfa and beet pulp are very high in calcium and low in phosphorous and that it is not healthy for growing horses. For easy ways to correct this problem see the beet pulp section of, Care for Horses » Nutrition » Forages for Horses, an Overview.
DrO
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New Member:
Sondra
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 - 1:03 pm:
Thank you Dr. O.
I went and read the article you recommended and if I'm correct, the C/Ph ratio ideally should be around 2:1, and with this program he's somewhere near 6:1.
Is there a way to counterract the danger of this diet other than removing the alfalfa? That is, is there a supplement (Ph?) that he could get? I'd love to have some choices for the barn in a discussion before I decide to remove him from there. If the beet pulp w/Omolene 100 stays the same, would you recommend feeding pure Timothy? Or a timothy/alfalfa combo?
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Member:
Angel77
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 - 6:23 pm:
Dear Sondra,
Are you able to be at your barn every day? Maybe on the days you are at the barn you can give your horse the hay or feed you feel he needs.
That is what I have to do at my barn. I agree it is a pain. Wouldn't it be nice if where we board could actually do their job. Don't they realize each horse has individual needs? Are they really horse people or just taking our money? 
Hope you work it out soon. 
Good luck!!
WTG
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New Member:
Sondra
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 - 6:38 pm:
WTG:
You and I think alike.
No, unfortunately I had sent this horse to a trainer for the winter to be started, 3 hours away, so I have been unable to do my own thing and micro manage as I'd like to 
And, talking with the trainer about feed changes or anything for that matter that doesn't fit with his "my way is the only way" attitude, is like walking on eggshells. I'm seriously stressed over it and am considering taking him back home again. It's unfortunate because he would have been a good person for the horse to be started with under saddle, but I don't think I can take this!
A BNT (big name trainer) who I really respect once said to me, the mark of a really good horseperson is one who readily admits s/he does not know everything. (And I would add to that, one who approaches each horse as an individual with unique needs!)
Sondra
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New Member:
Sondra
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 13, 2005 - 10:12 pm:
Dr. O -- one thing I'd like to add to my question above...
In doing research on this subject I found this article that insists alfalfa is NOT implicated in causing DOD in horses. Should the contents of this article be refuted since it was basically supported by the alfalfa hay biz? This person is also an equine science professor. Here's the article in question:
https://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DGM/is_2_27/ai_n8699971#continue
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Nov 14, 2005 - 9:15 am:
I am not sure if I need the reference Sondra because they are correct, alfalfa does not cause DOD. DOD is a multifactorial disease with a number of different causes that can include genetics, environment, nutrition, and trauma.
I am confused about your question on how to deal with this because the forage article gives a clear and easy way to balance the diet, look under the beet pulp subheading.
DrO
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Member:
Angel77
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Posted on Monday, Nov 14, 2005 - 10:23 pm:
Dear Sondra,
So sorry to hear your horse is so far away. Do I understand correctly you have horse property?
Kindly,
WTG
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Member:
Sondra
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Posted on Monday, Nov 14, 2005 - 10:50 pm:
WTG, thanks for writing again. No, I don't have my own horse property here; but I keep my horses (I have one other) at a very nice boarding facility with great care and good turnout here. I may bring the young one back for the winter. And then start him in spring or summer with a local trainer instead. Problem is, training in my particular locale is almost twice as expensive as anywhere else. 
Best, Sondra
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