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Discussion on Feeding schedule changes & colic
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New Member:
Leslies
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 10:15 am:
I would like to know if changes in feeding schedules can predispose a horse to colic. The barn that my horse is boarded at recently changed the feeding schedule from 7am & 5pm, to 12pm & 1am. When I found out I was upset that I was not notified. This change was due to the people going on vacation, and the person taking care of the farm worked afternoons. I am under the impression that changes such as this can lead to colic. Thanks.
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 10:53 am:
YES!!
If I were you, I would go down there myself and feed. To me....and I'm pretty anal ...this is unconscionable (sp?) TOO drastic of a change in my opinion. Hopefully they have been adjusting the time of the feed so it is not so drastic????
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Member:
Leslies
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 12:06 pm:
Dr.O
Could you please comment on this. Thank You.
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 1:33 pm:
When I first bought my horse, I felt the same way regarding the consistency of everything I did for my mares. But as I get older ;) and they get older;) it doesn't seem so life threatening any longer to feed at exactly the same time and be real "anal" about it. There are times when I can't get home in time to feed like the normal people at my barn. And my horses just had to get used to it. But this a long term thing for me. Not a 2 week vacation scenario. They are fed by the barn at 7 am and I get home anywhere from 7-10pm and that is when they get their dinner.
I have to say that a huge jump like you are describing should be done slowly and over a weeks time, at least. And if it goes back to 7 am-5pm the reverse should happen.
Really, it comes down to your horses anxiety level. My QH can handle any change or inconsistency i throw at her. My TB on the other hand can be quite temperamental and gets all lathered up over the littlest things. She takes solace in her rituals. LOL. But neither of them have shown signs of colic because of their feed schedules.
jojo
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 1:36 pm:
Oh, I wanted to add. .. I sure would be ticked off if a change was taking place and no one notified me... That is totally unacceptable.
jojo
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Member:
Rose1
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 4:25 pm:
Leslie,
When you voiced your concern over not being notified regarding the schedule change what explaination did the Manager offer?
No, I have not ever heard first hand of a horse that became ill because his feeding time was changed. My own horses have a weekday schedule and weekend schedule(I like to sleep a little later on Sat. and Sun.) I would not assume it would be okay to feed a newbie to the barn this way. "Wife's tail" or not I like to limit their exposure.
Changes to the feeding schedule can effect other things riding, turnout even if the manager did not consider it to be unhealthy it could be an inconvenience to his boarders. Why won't he/she
post a courtesy note.
Regards,
Rose
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Friday, Jul 18, 2003 - 2:01 pm:
I too would like to hear what Dr. O thinks...
I'm pleased to hear that it doesn't cause colic...but everyone I know states that this is NOT good for your horse. Two to three hours difference is "acceptable" but not 5 hours...too much time unless it is done gradually. If it doesn't cause colic, it can surely distress some horses (mine in particular)
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jul 18, 2003 - 6:21 pm:
Hello Leslie,
Assuming NOTHING else was changed, I don’t think is likely to be a big problem. Colics can happen at any time, changes in feeding are known to increase the incidence, this is just not likely to be a big deal.
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Friday, Jul 18, 2003 - 6:43 pm:
So this is just an old wive's tail? Do I feel silly
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Member:
Aeowen
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Posted on Friday, Jul 18, 2003 - 8:50 pm:
Naw, it's just an old mare's tail *grin* Sorry - couldn't help that one!
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Member:
Leslies
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Posted on Friday, Jul 18, 2003 - 10:36 pm:
Thanks Everyone! Nothing at all happened to my mare. I have always heard though that any big changes should be avoided. The horses were very upset and overly jumpy when I came to the barn. The feed is kept in the tack room, so everytime you would go in the tack room the horses would think they were getting feed. I did not know that the time was changed until 4 days into the change!
I am not overly anal about feed times, but that sort of change is quite extreme in my opinion.
Anyway it is good to know for future reference that this should not cause a problem.
Thanks, Leslie
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 19, 2003 - 12:45 am:
Whew! I was starting to feel very guilty about some of the feeding schedules that used to evolve during show season.
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