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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 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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feed options for a young tb.

I have a boarder who owns a 6 yr old tb who can be a bit of a handful (a silly young tb). He is getting fed 1 1/2 qt triple crown complete, 1 qt dry beet pulp (served wet), and 1/2 cup corn oil per feeding (I prefer the rice bran oil but she doesn't want to switch) per feeding. He is a very hard keeper and it has taken all winter to get his weight to where it is now. She feels the complete feed is making him hot and wants to cut his grain down to 1/2 a qt twice a day. I am afraid that cutting him back that far will cause him to drop weight. I've suggested adding gleam and gain, upping his beet pulp or switching him to a low starch feed. Are there any suggestions you can offer that will help him to maintain his weight without making him "hot". Thanks so much for any help you can offer.

Where are you from? Pa

How did you locate this forum? search

Re: feed options for a young tb.

Hello Xenogirl,

I would recommend that you add two things to his diet to help him gain weight. First, add a weight gain product like Hard Keeper to provide extra calories from fat that increase his omega 3 fatty acids. Corn oil is high in omega 6 fatty acids and can increase inflammation, so adding more would not be a good option.

And, secondly, add Ration Plus to his diet to help him gain weight by boosting the overall health of the bacterial flora in his hind gut. This will also help calm him down, since these bacteria produce valuable B vitamins.

Make sure that he is getting hay and/or pasture, 24 hours a day.

I hope this is helpful,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO