I've just read the equine nutrition article by Judith A. Reynolds, Ph.D., P.A.S.Divisional Equine Technical Specialist,ADM Alliance Nutrition, at EquiSearch.com.

Her article, among many other things, recommends feeding a fortified feed with at least 12% crude fiber. I have looked at the crude fiber in three leading horse feeds and found only one feed company (and it's by far the smallest of the three!)that even offers two varieties of feed with 12% crude fiber. Most of the feeds are 5 or 6%, a "high" crude fiber seems to be 9%. All use corn and barley, which from my reading of Reynold's article, borders on a "no-no," in their mixtures.

In addition, from reading her article, it seems that feeding grains at all is really not a great idea.

I am wondering if I can safely feed lactating mares and a stallion beet pulp, soybean hulls, rice bran and vegetable oil, with Mare Plus nutritional supplement (Farnam)? If so, what ratios would I feed these things?

Thank you.
Kathy

Where are you from? Vermont

How did you locate this forum? via EquiSearch.com

Hi Kathy,

I took a look at Dr. Reynolds’ article and it is worthwhile reading. When she states that a feed should be at least 12% fiber, she is referring to the overall diet. Commercially prepared “complete” horse feeds are generally not that high in fiber. It is important, however, that the type of fiber you feed be digestible. The ones you mentioned – soybean hulls, beet pulp, and rice bran – theses are excellent sources of fiber because they are digestible in the hind gut.

So, to answer your question: Yes, you can safely feed the items you listed as long as you also provide a good quality hay. If you only feeding grass hay (without any legume mixed in), you’ll need to supplement the amino acid, Lysine, in order to improve the protein quality. Or, you can feed a combination of grass and legume hay (such as clover or alfalfa), to get the same effect.

Adding just any vegetable oil is not something I recommend because most common vegetable oils, such as corn or soybean, are high in omega 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids promote inflammation, which is very hard on working muscles and joints. Instead, give your horse a fat supplement that contains omega 3 fatty acids – such as flaxseed meal, flaxseed oil, or a high fat top dressing such as Omegatin. Mare Plus is an excellent overall vitamin/mineral supplement that will work well for pregnant mares. For stallions, the requirements are different and Mare Plus is not well balanced for their needs.

As far as proportions are concerned, it would depend on her stage of pregnancy and her work requirement. In general, pregnant mares do not require more feed until they reach their 9th month of pregnancy. And there are many other factors involved. Therefore, to advise you with the utmost integrity would involve getting a clearer picture of your individual horses’ circumstances.

I hope this helps clarify the fiber issue. It’s true that feeding grain is not necessary. The only reason we have become accustomed to doing this is to provide extra calories for working horses. Grain has many more calories than roughages. But, if you really want to feed your horse the way nature intended, it is best to stick with a variety of roughage sources that include digestible fibers. If, however, the horse loses weight on this diet, it then becomes necessary to add more calorie-dense feeds.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Thank you very much, Dr. Getty for taking the time to answer my questions.

I think I forgot to include in my post that our horses are on grass all summer and get hay all winter.

On the feed/fiber issue, though, I think Dr. Reynolds is not talking about the horse's overall diet when she recommends 12% fiber. On page two of the article, for example, she says, "Whether you use sweet feed or pelleted feed, you should choose feed with at least 10% fiber and, preferably 13-14% fiber."

It appears that this is a radical departure from mainstream nutritional advice for horses, but from her article and the research she refers to, it may well be warranted. Very few feeds, however, offer fiber that high, and most are composed of corn, oats and barley. Given her description of what corn and barley do in the horse's digestive system (and our experience with mysterious colic cases that disappeared when the horses in question no longer recieved corn oats and barley grain), I will no longer be feeding those grains to my horses. What I'm not clear on, however, is whether feeding whole oats with beet pulp and perhaps flaxseed meal, would be appropriate or if I should just leave out the oats all together.

Our grass is fairly poor now, in late August and the one lactating mare we have needs more calories than just supplemental hay is providing. I think I will start feeding her beet pulp and flaxseed meal with some whole oats and see how she does on that. With the Mare Plus, as well.

Thank you again for your time.
Kathy

Where are you from? Vermont

How did you locate this forum? via EquiSearch.com

Hi Kathy,

Yes, I believe you are right. Well, it is very difficult to find such a complete feed that contains so much fiber. Therefore, I recommend creating your own mixture of feeds, as you plan to do.

Horses do not need grain. The highly digestible carbohydrates in oats, corn, and barley often do not get completely digested (especially when fed in large amounts). The undigested grains entering the hind gut results in the formation of endotoxins, where the bacterial flora are destroyed. Corn and barley are worse than oats, because they are higher in digestible energy. However, oats can cause the same problem if overfed.

If you do plan of feeding oats, do so in moderation. But better yet, you can eliminate oats all together. Beet pulp, rice bran, and flaxseed meal are all good grain substitutes.

Happy pregnancy,

Dr. Getty

Kathy,

I have recently come across a complete feed that is high in fiber (15%), and low in starch. You may wish to look into it. It is called "Safe and Sound" by ACCO Feeds.

Dr. Getty :)

Hi i have have recently bought a thoroughbred horse He was recently let out on the grass not much to it but stayed on it through out the day and night he is still on hard food. I have him on trial for two weeks he still looks to me a bit pinched in he is due to be wormed the weekend. I have gradually put him out on grass. Bringing him in at night as i dont want him getting laminitus, Can you help me find the perfect food for him plus grass and hay without making him to excitable to ride he is doing light work, have not rode him yet as giving him time to settle in. He is 16.2 and body weight is around 500-550 kg i dont want to give him too much etc and make him ill, He's at grass now 3/4!s of the day increased gradually every day hope this is the right thing to do. he!s on same grass none has been added to it.

Where are you from? Wookey

How did you locate this forum? Web site

Hi Claire,

Congratulations on your new horse. You really need not be concerned about laminitis while grazing at night. The grass, during the night hours, has the lowest sugar (fructan) content. This sugar, in high quantities, can cause laminitis in susceptible horses, so taking such a horse off a rich pasture in the late afternoon (when fructan levels are at their highest) is something to consider.

But, in your case, if you can let him graze 24 hours a day, that would be the healthiest way to keep him.

To supplement the grass hay, give him some alfalfa. You can use hay, or packaged alfalfa products. To add energy for riding, you’ll want to add a low starch feed. Are you in the UK? Dodson and Horrell makes a horse feed called Safe and Sound, which is low in starch and fructans and high in fiber. That would be a good choice.

You’ll also want to add a good multiple/vitamin mineral supplement, fresh, clean water at all times, and a salt lick.

Hope this helps!

All the best,

Dr. Getty