Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Belinda,
It is best to be consistent with his diet and offer him the same thing every day. This will keep the bacterial flora living in his digestive system in good health. So, feed him the same thing every night.
Your diet sounds balanced. Allow him to have hay available at all times. Hay also produces more body heat due to its fermentation.
Since I don’t know if he is underweight, or already of a good weight, I am reluctant to suggest any additional feeds. It is important to not get him overweight. If he is healthy, he should have a good winter coat started by now and will do fine in cold weather.
However, if he is underweight, or has trouble putting on weight, I would suggest that you offer him flaxseed (linseed) oil with each meal. I would also recommend a probiotic (live microbials) or Ration Plus (if it is available in your area) each day to help him better utilize his feed, so he can gain weight.
Keep me posted on his progress.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
