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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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Re: New horse/ New feed?

Hi,
I am about to get a 36" not quite 2yr. old mini. She's been on alphalfa hay and timothy hay with nutrene safe choice. Should I add beet pulp to her diet or replace 1 cup of beet pulp for 1 cup of safe choice. Thanks,Debra

Where are you from? CA

How did you locate this forum? http://Nutrena

Re: New horse/ New feed?

Hi Debra,

Congratulations on your new horse! Minis are genetically predisposed toward insulin resistance, so you are wise to consider a low starch feed. However, Safe Choice is not as safe as one would imagine since it can contain corn and other cereal grains. Instead, you can feed beet pulp, and add a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement to fill in the gaps, such as Glanzen or Glanzen Complete.

Forage should be the basis of her diet, with all the hay she wants. You really don't need anything else, unless she is exercised enough where she needs the extra calories. So, depending on her work load (which is not likely to be high since she's only two years old), give her a small amount of beet pulp to serve as a carrier for her supplement.

Don't forget the salt block -- a plain white one will do fine and if she doesn't lick it, add salt to her diet -- 1 teaspoon per meal should be fine.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Debra Meadows
Hi,
I am about to get a 36" not quite 2yr. old mini. She's been on alphalfa hay and timothy hay with nutrene safe choice. Should I add beet pulp to her diet or replace 1 cup of beet pulp for 1 cup of safe choice. Thanks,Debra

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO