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.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Holly,
One thing that I first noticed is that you are likely feeding close to 13 to 14 pounds of feed, not seven. One quart of Strategy weighs about 2.5 pounds. So, weighing your feed would give you a more accurate measure.
Feeding this much is very risky because it can lead to laminitis and/or colic. And, since Strategy is grain-based, it can produce highs and lows in your horse's insulin response, which at the very least, can make a horse's moods very unstable.
So, I would recommend that you cut his feed in half, and even better, switch to a low starch feed such as Nutrena's Safe Choice, or if your budget will allow it, Purina's Ultium.
I would also give him Ration Plus. This will help him better utilize his feed, so he can gain weight.
Since he doesn't like the hay you are feeding, try looking around for a different variety. Horses' diets should be mostly from hay and/or pasture, for the benefit of their digestive systems. You can also give him alfalfa hay - this will improve his protein intake as well as provide him with the roughage he needs. But, it is best to offer grass hay along with alfalfa, not just alfalfa.
So, the reason he is not gaining weight is likely due to not utilizing his feed properly. Also, with the feed you are offering and the large amount, the bacterial flora in the hind gut are very likely fermenting it. This can kill those bacteria, leading to potential health risks.
So, bottom line -- change to a low-starch feed, weigh your feed, provide more than 50% of his diet from hays, and give him Ration Plus.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 