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Discussion on Protein Levels
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Member:
goodie
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 3, 2007 - 1:00 pm:
I am trying to clear up some information that I have been using for the last 3 years. When our mares are open, we feed 1# of 10% sweet feed daily. When they are pregnant, we feed 2# 10% sweet feed daily and then as the 7-8 month arrives, we merge their feed over to a 16% sweet feed. By the 9th month, they are on 16% sweet feed at 4-6# daily. They are not fat, they carry excellent weight and the babies are always healthy. We leave the mares on 16% sweet feed until the babies are weaned (the babies start out life on this sweet feed for the first year of their life and are then adjusted to 12% after the first year.) We tend to cut back the mares as the babies age and they depend less and less on the mare for milk. Since the program is working and we haven't had any problems can anyone help me figure out where I found the information on the 16% sweet feed change? I am changing jobs to run a larger operation and I would like to have documentation to show the new boss why the current program I use works.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 4, 2007 - 5:54 am:
The article associated with this forum gives similar advice concerning increasing needs for nutrients in the last trimester and while nursing Taara but not every horse would prosper under your exact plan. Some might grow fat while others thin so you also need to adjust concentrates by the individuals body condition response to the feed.
Also understand you leave out the most important factor as to why your horses are doing well and that is the quality and amount of forage available.
DrO
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