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
Hello Krista,
Yes, you can replace oats with a combination of alfalfa pellets and beet pulp. Beet pulp has almost as many calories as oats, but does not get digested in the foregut, like oats, making them safe to feed to a horse that needs to avoid sugar and starch.
Avoid Omega Horseshine, since it contains oats. Instead, you can consider Nutra Flax.
However, since you are not giving a vitamin/mineral supplement, consider Reitsport, since this will provide the flaxseed meal, plus vitamins, minerals, hoof support, joint support, and the probiotics, including yeast, that your horse requires.
Or, if your horse does not need joint support, go with Glanzen, which contains yeast culture (but not other live microbes).
If your horse is experiencing any joint or muscle stress, it is best to avoid sunflower seeds. They are high in Omega 6 fatty acids, which increase inflammation.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO