Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Help!! My 4 yr old mostly TB is in training and I am having trouble keeping weight on him. He was pastured out on 10 acres until Nov when he went to the trainer. I have been using a product line called DYnamite and even tho I have upped his grain to 2 lbs a day (from 2 cups) and free choice hay and a vitamin/mineral, he is thin. I never blanketed him before and now he needs a blankie! The PGR(pelleted grain ration) is 12% protein and 3.5% fat. My distributor @ Dynamite suggests black oiled sunflower seed or one of their products to add fat. I would like to stay organic but this continual change with adding and deleting supplements is getting too much and if I may add costly. I need to add, I believe some more fat to his diet,or change his diet to something that is more manageable for me. He was previously on Purina adult but there are so many conflicting opinions about this whole nutrition that it can make one bonkers. Reading this forum I see that using oil is not frowned upon nor is using ricebran or alfalfa pellets etc. It was not until I switched to Dynamite that I heard all the 'bad' things that the others food does to you. I really need to simplify and am looking for documentation/science as well as guidance. Thanks for the help!!
Where are you from? Buffalo, New York
How did you locate this forum? searching for nutrition information
Hello Aline,
The best way to put on weight is to add more fat to the diet. Adding more grain will not produce weight gain and can increase his risk for laminitis. Some safe ways to add fat would be by feeding stabilized rice bran or flaxseed meal. You can also add some rice bran oil, flaxseed oil, or even canola oil to his diet.
I understand your need to simplify things. That is my goal when working with clients during consultations. If you feel you would benefit from a phone consultation, please let me know. I'd be delighted to assist you with an overall plan that is manageable and that makes sense.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 