| Title: | Equine Notes Conference |
| Notice: | Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151 |
| Moderator: | MTADMS::COBURN IO |
| Created: | Tue Feb 11 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Thu Jun 05 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 2080 |
| Total number of notes: | 22383 |
I have some questions about changing the feeding arrangements for
a horse. My mare is being fed about 2-2 lb. coffee cans of sweet
feed, and 3/4 of a 2 lb. coffee can of cracked corn. She is a
hard keeper. She is not on pasture, and is being fed hay 3 times
a day. Now, I need to move her and I want her to be on pasture.
How do I wean her to pasture without taking chances of her gorging
herself and giving herself laminitis. I was told that I should
cut here back on her grain, but I am leary of doing that since she
does drop weight so easily. She will also be in foal, when I move
her. I live in Sterling, Mass. and am looking for a place to rough
board her. I work on 2nd shift, so I need some place fairly close
to me, that I will be able to feed her around 6 in the morning,
and again around 2:30 to 3 in the afternoon? Would this be too
drastic of a change in her diet, and could it increase her chances
of colic and laminitis. She has never had this problem before,
and she has never had colic, and I do not want to take a chance
on hurting her in any way, by changing her feeding schedule. The
only problem is there is no way I can get around without moving
her from where she is right now. Any information about feeding
schedule and possibly a place to rough board in the Sterling area
would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot, Sarah
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 255.1 | take it easy, check with vet | NEWVAX::AIKEN | I love Crabbet Arabians! 301-867-1584 | Fri Oct 03 1986 14:15 | 11 |
By now you've probably moved and your mare has had her foal. Usually,
when I put a horse on pasture, especially a pony that can founder
easily with drastic changes in feed, I do it very gradually. I
walk her in the pasture and let her graze for about 20 minutes daily,
for about three days. I increase the length of time to half an
hour, then 45 minutes then an hour over the rest of the week. For
the next week I increase the time to a couple of hours, then to
half a day. By three weeks, she is out on pasture all day.
It may seem like a long time, but she's never foundered or been
sick.
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| 255.3 | Just a Reminder | WFOV11::CRUMLEY | Fri Sep 22 1989 16:05 | 15 | |
A quick word of caution to those who are new in the management field
or have been out for awhile - changes in grain levels should take
place in small increments over a period of time...for instance,
a desired upgrade of one pound/day should begin by adding approximately
1/4 lb. to the feeding initially, gradually increasing this to 1/2
lb.over the course of about seven (7) days. Naturally, you would
continue this slow process (increasing by 1/4 lb./week) until you
reach the goal, which in this case may take around three weeks.
At this rate you will better be able to determine the exact amount
of grain needed by the obvious benefits and also avoid any internal upsets
that may be caused by the sudden additional levels of protein. Your
horse and your wallet will thank you! Happy horses are a priority!!
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| 255.2 | more | SWAM2::MASSEY_VI | Fri Jul 17 1992 12:54 | 10 | |
one thing I would like to add.
Grass contains more water than hay does. Thus, the horse needs to
eat more grass for the same results. Thus, you dont have to
cut back anywhere at first. Once she is on pasture, some changes will
need to be made. Grass is the best thing for a broodmare. It will
also increase her chances of have a good foal heat for re-breeding.
virginia
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