Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hello Brandi,
It's always a challenge to feed a commercially fortified feed plus a vitamin/mineral supplement because you're "supplementing the supplement." But without actually doing a complete analysis of the ingredients, it's difficult to give you a "thumbs up." You are giving the full amount of Enrich 32, which could cause overlaps with the Wellsolve L/S. And I am particularly concerned about too much selenium and iron. Plus, Enrich 32 contains molasses and may be too high in starch for an easy keeper.
Why not consider giving a flaxseed meal based supplement at a lower dosage which won't provide too much selenium (which they're getting in the Purina Wellsolve L/S), has no iron (which they're getting in their forage), does not contain molasses, and will eliminate your need to add flax? I suggest Glanzen Lite Complete at a 1/2 dose.
It also provides 1250 IU of vitamin E in one scoop (1/2 the regular dose of 2 scoops per day).
I believe this would simplify things for you by eliminating the need to add flax and extra vitamin E, plus protect your horses against too much selenium and iron, as well as molasses.
Thank you so much for writing and for your kind words. I'm so pleased that you are finding my basic approach helpful. That's why I called my book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse -- the premise behind it is to feed them in sync with their natural physiology and instincts -- a concept so old, that it's new!
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
I am in a boarding situation, my barn owner feeds in the morning and I go out to feed in the evening. Here's what I'm feeding them now:
Chief my 4yr old at the beginning of July he weighed 1069 he now weighs 1054.
AM Feedings:
2.0lbs of WellSolve LS
0.8ozs of Flax Seed
0.4oz of Enrich 32 by Purina -
3 vitamin Es (all natural)
PM Feedings:
2.5lbs of Wellsolve LS
Scout my yearling - at the beginning of July he weight 809 he now weighs 884lbs.
AM Feeding:
1.8lbs of Enrich 32
0.8ozs of Flax Seeds
3 vitamin E's (all natural)
PM Feedings
0.8lbs of Enrich 32
Both of my boys have to share a pasture, my yearling being a boy/yearling still likes to pester my 4 yr old chasing, trying to mount etc...so to avoid injury every other day I rotate them out so they can graze one whole day. When the one that is locked up I do give them enough hay to last through out the day, enough to where there's usually left overs.
Am I on the right track?
Thank you, I do plan on buying your book and I listen to any of your radio show that I can find. Love your stuff, what you say makes sense. I am so glad that I have found you and your website
Brandi
Oklahoma
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
Hello Brandi,
I would like to help you but your situation is complex -- please consider setting up an appointment for a consultation. This forum is designed for questions where I can offer answers in a simple response.
You're right -- if you feed less of the Wellsolve, you can add another supplement -- "supplementing the supplement" if you will. But your hay may have selenium at adequate levels and it would be wonderful if you could have it analyzed -- that would remove the guesswork out of the selenium and iron issue.
About alfalfa -- yes, pellets (moistened) are great and could, in fact, replace the Wellsolve, and you could likely just add the Enrich product.
So, please let me know if I can assist you further.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
Dr. Getty in your reply you said that you were concerned about me giving the full amount of Enrich 32, which could cause overlaps with the Wellsolve L/S. Let me say that I am NOT giving the full amount of the Enrich to my 4 year old Chief - he is only getting 0.4ozs of the Enrich 32 added to his 2.0lbs of WellSolve that he gets in the mornings along with 0.8oz of whole flax seeds. And in the evenings he is not getting any extra supplements, he is only getting 2.5lbs of the WellSolve which is not the RECOMMEND amount that he's suppose to be getting that is on the WellSolve bag. Should I up the feeding amounts to the recommend amounts? And again let me say that when he is on pasture which is every other day his meals get cut back 1/2lbs both in the mornings and evenings. And in your reply you showed concern about too much selenium and iron. If I'm not giving the recommend amount of WellSolve then is he still getting too much selenium and iron? Enrich 32 I do belive is cheaper but as I was doing some reading through some of the other posts I did find out that ADM Alliance does make a Ration Balancer that you recommended GroStrong, which my feed store does offer, but I do want to do a price comparison. Should I email Purina and ask how much the starch and sugars levels are in the Enrich 32? And I don't think I made this clear but my 4 yr old is NOT IR. I'm just hoping to prevent problems in the future by keeping him on a low starch feed.
Oh and I should say that he is undersaddle and I do try to work/ride him when ever possible.
Now my yearling - is strictly on the Enrich 32 - he is not on the WellSolve LS. He's getting 1.8lbs of the Enrich 32, 0.8lbs of whole flax seeds in the mornings and he's getting 0.8lbs of Enrich 32.
For my questions: I've heard you talk about how much alfalfa is good for them, and I can get a hold of some pellets and cubes - pellets would probably be easier to give. Should I be adding alfalfa pellets to both of my horses diets?
And you recommended Glazen Lite Complete, can I add that in with the WellSolve that I'm giving to my 4 year old and the Enrich 32 that I'm giving to my yearling?
Thank you so much for answering my questions!!!
Brandi
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO