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Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 4:15 pm:

I read this article on colic from the horse.com website....


"Horses can ingest up to 2 1/2% of their body weight each day. This can translate into up to 25 pounds of roughage per day for a 1,000 pound horse. If the diet lacks fiber, a horse will seek it out in the form of board fences, weeds, or dirt. Also, a fiber deficiency limits normal stimulation of the large colon, resulting in a more sluggish intestinal motility that might allow sand to precipitate out into the intestine. Feeding adequate amounts of roughage (such as hay or grass), or feeding at frequent intervals, can decrease aberrant behavior such as licking the ground or dirt eating, called pica. The most effective means of limiting the development of sand colic is to feed plenty of good-quality hay to promote efficient intestinal activity. Avoid overstocking pastures to keep ample forage available so horses are not forced to consume dirt. Also, maintain clean, fresh water supplies to encourage drinking, which in itself promotes gastrointestinal health and normal motility."


Three of the horses at my barn have become beavers since the weather changed (colder) -- do I risk them getting fat (EASY keepers) and give them more hay or find an alternative?? Or do nothing since I haven't seen signs of colic...
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 5:36 pm:

Lets see, you have not answered the critical question Aileen: are you feeding them adequate forage? However this is not the only reason horses chew, for more on this and possible solutions see, » Care for Horses » Nutrition » Pica: Horses Eating Inappropriate Materials.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 6:00 pm:

Granted my guy isn't chewing on wood, but just fyi (;) I am feeding my 10 year old, 1100 pound horse 11 pounds of timothy hay and I've also added 6 cups of oat pellets for his pasture pal. If i fed him anymore I won't be able to feel his ribs at ALL. As it is, I have to press for them (;) worked 4 days a week.

6 year old Arabian - 14 pounds a day - about 1000 pounds - worked 6 days a week - bad chewer

13 year old arabian - 8 pounds a day - 850 pounds - plus 4 cups of alf/oat pellets in pasture pal. This guy is an extremely easy keeper - more so than my guy - hardly worked. Bad chewer

20 year old arabian, about 950 pounds - 6 lbs of grass/alf. hay per day - plus 2 big scoops of oat/alf pellets (getting old, hard for him to chew) hardly worked and bad chewer

8 year old morgan -- about 950 pounds -- 10 lbs. of alf/grass hay per day. worked 5 days a week - chews the wood sometimes.

Thanks Dr. O.

After reading the article, turnout/exercise has all but ceased with the time change for the two arabians that are hardly worked...after getting the owners going again, the horses have not been chewing as much, but they still chew. The six year old has gone half way through a wood post.

Would it be reasonable to up the hay 2 lbs a day for the two horses not getting worked much and 2 hour a day turnout time? Not that I mind round ponies (I love them)...I just don't want founder or to "kill them with kindness". I would love to free feed, but I'm afraid they would just get tooooo overweight.





Member:
Mrose

Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 10:21 pm:

This is a problem I also have-esp. after my husband sprayed linseed oil/stain mix all over the barn! (bad move on his part) All my horses are extremely easy keepers. I have found a horse mineral block has given them something to do/chew on when I have to keep them confined up near the barn or stalled. I also give them oat hay mid-day and later at night after their dinner. If I just fed good quality grass of alfalfa hay, I'd be feeding only 6lb./day also. Even with long trail rides several times per week (10 mi. or so) up and down hills at a trot, some of them would still gain weight if fed much more than this. The oat is light and bulky and I can give them lots of it to keep them entertained.

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 14, 2003 - 6:41 am:

What is the pasture situation Aileen? You certainly could add a few more lbs of hay for everyone, if there is no grass available. As Sara alludes using a stemmier hay is one way to increase roughage and decrease calories. The problem with addressing one aspect of nutrtion however is that it frequently unbalnaces other aspects. I suggest you start with the article on Overview of Nutrition, it covers in more detail the points you make in your first post, and work your way through to the article on Feeding Fat Horses. Even if yours are not fat, it will provide a balanced view of feeding the easy keeping horse.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Friday, Nov 14, 2003 - 10:21 am:

Thanks Sara...I'm in the process of changing the two that hardly get worked to straight grass hay from an alf/grass mix. I'll increase the grass a couple of pounds as you and Dr. O state.

Dr. O,

Unfortunately the pasture situation is null, since all has been graded for my new barn and pastures. However, next year will be different. I've started rotating pastures beginning with the largest one so they will have something to munch on in a couple of months. Thanks for your help!!

ps...All the horses are in GOOD flesh, hence my worry of increasing the hay. I will read the article. Thank you!!
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