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 Chelsea,
The best way to help a horse gain weight is twofold:
First, give her more fat, not more starch and sugar. Strategy is not a good feed for a growing filly. It is high in starch and sugar, leading to a higher likelyhood of her developing osteopathic disorders while growing.
Second, improve the health of the bacterial flora in the hind gut by giving her a prebiotic. I recommend Ration Plus. This will feed these bacteria, allowing her to gain more calories from her forage.
So change your feed to one that is low in starch and high in fat, such as Triple Crown Low Starch. Add Ration Plus at a double dose. And give her flaxseed meal -- Nutra Flax -- 6 ounces (3 scoops) per day.
I would also caution you against feeding large meals. If you are feeding as much as 15 pounds per day you would need to feed 4 meals each day to prevent colic. Horses have relatively small stomachs and a meal should never exceed 4 lbs, and for her size, smaller than that.
If you would like to take a look at her overall situation in more detail, please consider setting up a phone consultation appointment.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
Hello Chelsea,
Ultra Bloom is a stabilized rice bran product, not flaxseed meal, like Nutra Flax. Rice bran does not contain any omega 3 fatty acids, so while it has additional fat, it is not as effective in her overall health as flaxseed meal.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO