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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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hay/overweight horse questions

I have some questions on the hay analysis I just got for this year's hay (we buy the year all at once). As fed, the WSC is 14.2% (64.3g/lb), ESC 8.6% (39.1g/lb), Starch 1.0 (4.5g/lb). This makes the NSC 15.2%, is that correct?

I have a horse that is very overweight and is having hoof issues (on/off sore feet,relentless thrush in cracked bulbs) In trying to get him to lose weight, we use nibblenets for most of the hay feedings (I try to make hay accessible all the time) and they have free access to mostly eaten down pasture during the day.

He gets a supplement similiar to Glanzen that gets mixed with 1/2 c Speedi Beet, I've also added 2oz of Quiessence to both am and pm feedings, along with 1/2oz each joint and hoof supplements made by horsetech.

Is this hay ok to feed free choice? Any other suggestions to help him lose weight?

Where are you from? CT

How did you locate this forum? book

Re: hay/overweight horse questions

Adding here the total hay analysis in case that makes any difference to my original post...

As Dry Matter

.98 DE Mcal/lb
10.6% (48g/lb)Crude Protein
.37% (1.7g/lb)Estimated Lysine
3.4% (15.6g/lb) Lignin
38.0% (172.4g.lb)ADF
60.1% (272.7g.lb)NDF
15.4% (70.0g/lb)WSC
9.4% (42.5g/lb) ESC
1.1% (4.9g/lb) Starch
20.3% (92.0g/lb)NFC
2.5% (11.5g/lb) Crude Fat
6.5% (29.5g/lb) Ash

.51% (2.31g.lb) Calcium
.36% (1.62g/lb) Phosphorus
.22% (1.01g/lb) Magnesium
1.65% (7.51g/lb) Potassium
.066% (.299g/lb) Sodium

81% (37mg/lb) Iron
33% (15mg/lb) Zinc
12% (6mg/lb) Copper
37% (17mg/lb) Manganese
2.8% (1.3mg/lb) Molybdenum

.08 PPM Selenium (100%dry)
92 RFV

Where are you from? CT

How did you locate this forum? book

Re: hay/overweight horse questions

(Sorry,I keep adding to my own post because I cannot edit them)

The horse is a 16 yr old paint gelding. I am considering switching his feed to: High Point Grass with flax and added hoof support or could do Glanzen Lite with added pre/probiotics to simplify the feeding process (and eliminate the joint supplement, he may not need it).

Thanks for your thoughts, enjoying the book a lot!

Where are you from? CT

How did you locate this forum? book

Re: hay/overweight horse questions

Hi Jeni,

Does this hay contain any legume such as alfalfa or clover? I ask because the calorie level is quite high -- .98 Mcal/lb. So this is a very fattening hay.

Yes, you calculated the NSC percentage correctly -- it is 15.2%. This is higher than what we would like to see for insulin resistant horses.

So, ideally, it would be best to dilute this hay with a batch of grass hay that has a lower caloric content. But, if you cannot, then feed it in a slow feeder, free choice, and up the exercise. Put slow feeders in various places, if at all possible, to encourage walking.

The fact that he has thrush indicates a problem with the immune function. I would suggest either feeding Glanzen Lite Complete (not Glanzen Lite) to provide adequate vitamins that are missing in hay and boost immune function. Or, you can choose SuPer Antioxidant, along with Nutra Flax.

Keep me posted. I'm so pleased you are finding my book helpful.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Jeni
(Sorry,I keep adding to my own post because I cannot edit them)

The horse is a 16 yr old paint gelding. I am considering switching his feed to: High Point Grass with flax and added hoof support or could do Glanzen Lite with added pre/probiotics to simplify the feeding process (and eliminate the joint supplement, he may not need it).

Thanks for your thoughts, enjoying the book a lot!

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Re: hay/overweight horse questions

Thanks Dr Getty,

I asked about what is in the hay and apparently there was a patch in the field that had some traces of alfalfa, but otherwise there is clover and most is a grass mix. I am going to periodically test again to see if there is any changes within this load of hay (700 bales).

I've made all the other changes you recommended and will give it some time to settle in.

Where are you from? CT

How did you locate this forum? online

Re: hay/overweight horse questions

Hello Jeni,

Clover is also a legume (like alfalfa) which would account for the higher caloric value.

Keep me posted on how things are going.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Jeni
Thanks Dr Getty,

I asked about what is in the hay and apparently there was a patch in the field that had some traces of alfalfa, but otherwise there is clover and most is a grass mix. I am going to periodically test again to see if there is any changes within this load of hay (700 bales).

I've made all the other changes you recommended and will give it some time to settle in.

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO