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  Discussion on . How much feed is too much for a horse having problems (weight loss and pacing) adjusting to new home in the cold?
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 30, 2002 - 11:27 am:

Hi all,
I have a 6 year old P.R.E. We have just recently moved from So.California to No. Califoria. Besides the adjustment to the cold, he is pacing. I work him lightly daily. I try to burn off some of the angst but not too many calories. Besides free fed hay, I am feeding beetpulp,horse pellets and a little O&M to encourage eating the beetpulp. My question is; How much feed is too much? I dont want to founder him with too much stuff. If he is underweight can he still founder due to so much other stuff? Also, anyone have any tips to help combat the pacing?

Posted on Friday, Feb 1, 2002 - 1:22 am:

Has your horse been de-wormed? When were his teeth last floated? These are the two best places to start looking for feeding/weight problems. If your horse is wormy or has uneven teeth (common problem for 5-6 year olds) all the feed in the world won't solve his problems.

You might consider getting a vet who specializes in equine dentistry to examine your horse and float his teeth as his greater degree of training and experience can lead to a better diagnosis.

If good quality forage make up 85% or more of his diet (by wieght)the other supplements should give added calories (read Digestible Energy). The beet pulp is high in calcium and will help keep the Calcium/Phosphorous balance. But as you describe, there is not much chance of him foundering. You could add alfalfa (high in protein, high in calcium and higher than grass hays in digestable energy) and/or soy meal. You might also supplement vitamins. We use and recommend Dynamite products.

Did your horse have a friend (or friends) in So. Cal? Is he alone where you are now? The pacing may be the result of emotional stress or anxiety. Horses love company and hate being alone.

A final thought on the pacing. Horses generally pace in a set pattern. You might place cavalettis, barrels, poles, or other obstacles to change the course of his pacing. This can add some fun to an otherwise boring routine, make him think of other things besides his neurosis (chuckle), and reduce risk of repetitive stress injuries.

Just my (and my wife's) humble opinion. Keep us posted on his progress.

Dennis

Posted on Friday, Feb 1, 2002 - 6:51 am:

Opps, I posted yesterday and apparently failed to push the post button. I have started using the spell checker and keep forgetting I have to push twice.

In essence Sterling what I wanted to say was assuming there are no health issues, like Dennis covers very effectively, the correct answer to your question depends on lots of details like weight of your horse and quality of forage. The best way for you to answer your questions is by going to the article Care for Horses: Nutrition: Overview of Feeding. Pay particular attention to the "Too Thin?" section in that article. Not only are your questions answered there but much of the reasoning so that you can choose that which applies to your case.

Since you have specific questions on forage and grain follow those links in the article. The use of beet pulp in the horses diet is covered in the forage article in the Care for Horses: Nutrition section.
DrO
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