Hi Dr. Getty. I've recently moved to North Florida and am trying to establish a feeding routine based on what's offered locally. I have a 19-year-old Canadian warmblood and a three-year-old Saddlebred. Both are very healthy and neither are working hard at the moment, although the young one is in light training. They have 24-hour large pasture access with Bahia grass. The only hay available to me now is Alfalfa and peanut (they will not eat T&A or Coastal, and I can't find any O&A which they love). I usually give them Alfalfa twice daily along with a scoop of Ultium. I would like to find a cheaper feed and I am also wondering if I am now feeding them too much. Could you give me some simple guidelines? Many thanks.

Where are you from? Jacksonville

How did you locate this forum? Search "Equine Nutrition"

Hi Karen,

Sounds like you’re doing a fine job. Since they have access to pasture at all times, it is a good balance to add a couple of flakes of alfalfa each day. Ultium is a fine complete ration, but it is mainly designed for performance horses and is more expensive than many feeds. For your situation, you would do fine with Nutrena SafeChoice – it is also a low starch complete ration and is more reasonably priced.

Hope this is helpful.

All the best,

Dr. Getty