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 Charlene,
Thank you for writing about your three horses. It sounds like your situation would do best with a personal phone visit. This way, I could not only help you simplify things so you're not feeding each horse a different diet. But, I could also help you with determining what is best for each horse. You have several situations going on here -- growth, underweight, laminitis, pain, and the needs of a mini. So, it is beyond the scope a simple response to assist you.
In the meantime, hay should be the basis of the diet for all three and alfalfa is a wonderful addition to the diet to boost the overall protein quality. This is very, very important for your growing filly and for your mare. Since your mini cannot handle alfalfa, we can look at alternatives.
A buteless pain reliever is certainly fine for your mare now that she is no longer pregnant. Take a look at Stop the Pain -- I have had very good results with it. But, we need to take a look at what is causing the pain and fix that situation, rather than merely putting a bandaid on the situation.
So, please let me know if I can assist you further.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO