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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. 

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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: Filly with epiphysitis not improving

Hi Candi,

Protein is not the issue -- starch is. I believe your vet is concerned about protein because he/she doesn't want your foal to grow too quickly.

I highly recommend Junior Glo, by ADM Alliance. This company's products are based on reduced amount of starch and I have a very high regard for their nutritionist, Dr. Judith Reynolds. Here is a description of the feed: http://www.admani.com/allianceequine/Juniorglo%20Horse%20feed.htm

Feed her 1/2 lb per 100 lbs of body weight, so for 320 lbs, give her 1.6 lbs. That amounts to approximately 1 quart per day but it's best to weigh her feed and feed it in two meals.

This reduced amount of feed will help keep her healthy without excessive weight gain. Do not add any more supplements.

In addition, all the grass hay she wants, along with 30 to 40% percent of her hay ration as alfalfa.

I assume she is nursing -- delay weaning so it can occur naturally -- that is the best approach.

Make sure there is a plain, white salt block and free choice granualted table salt always available, along with fresh, clean water.

Allow her to exercise, but not excessively. Go with your vet's instructions on this.

Simplicity will do her better than adding a bunch of minerals that she is already supposed to be getting from milk, and from alfalfa hay. And the tendency to add large amounts of copper is not helpful at this stage in her life. The pregnant mare needs extra copper so the foal will be born with enough in storage. But adding extra amounts (beyond normal requirements) after the foal is born, is not useful.

Keep me posted.

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse



Candi
Oh, and one more question, I found out I can get the ADM products such as Patriot Junoir, which I noticed had no corn in the ingredients that I could see. Would that be a good choice of feed? Also I think I can get JunoirGlo, but my vet told me to stay away from anything over 14% protein. JunoirGlo has 19 percent. However JunoirGlo states it is specifically formulated to prevent DOD. What do you think of these products?

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Re: Filly with epiphysitis not improving

Thank you so much for the advice. I also called and talked with one of the nutritionist at ADM about Junoir Glo. He asked me if my filly is an easy keeper, which she is, truthfully she is fat even after I have cut her back to almost no grain, just a handful of beet pulp (wet) and a handful of safechoice. He recommended that for now, I give her ADM's Mintrate (about 1/2 pound twice/daily) in a handful of beetpulp and once the epiphysitis goes down to put her on Junoir Glo, but I am kind of scared to do this. Mintrate has like 33% protein in it. I know protein is controversial but the nutritionist was insisting I am doing her more harm with the epiphysitis by not have a lot of protein in her diet. What do you think of this suggestion. I'm afraid to put that much protein in her diet.

Where are you from? New Mexico

How did you locate this forum? Internet searching

Re: Filly with epiphysitis not improving

Hello Candi,

I believe the ADM Alliance nutritionist was recommending Mintrate because it is lower in calories than the Junior Glo and lower in carbohydrates. I would go with a small amount -- the lowest end of the recommendation level is .25 lbs to 100 lbs of body weight. So, if your filly weighs 300 lbs, for example, you would feed 3/4 lb per day.

Don't let the protein concern you. She needs extra protein and while Mintrate has a high protein concentration, it gets diluted by the overall diet. So, she is not getting 33% protein when the total diet is calculated. And remember, starch is the issue, so Safe Choice, for example, is not low enough in starch.

Keep me posted.

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Candi
Thank you so much for the advice. I also called and talked with one of the nutritionist at ADM about Junoir Glo. He asked me if my filly is an easy keeper, which she is, truthfully she is fat even after I have cut her back to almost no grain, just a handful of beet pulp (wet) and a handful of safechoice. He recommended that for now, I give her ADM's Mintrate (about 1/2 pound twice/daily) in a handful of beetpulp and once the epiphysitis goes down to put her on Junoir Glo, but I am kind of scared to do this. Mintrate has like 33% protein in it. I know protein is controversial but the nutritionist was insisting I am doing her more harm with the epiphysitis by not have a lot of protein in her diet. What do you think of this suggestion. I'm afraid to put that much protein in her diet.

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO