Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Dr. Getty
Dr. Getty,
My 16 year old FEI level dressage horse is a VERY easy keeper. He works hard at GrandPrix level work 5 days per week. He has a tendency toward IR and Ulcers, gets fat pads easily so consequently he gets almost no concentrates. On your advice, I feed him free choice grass hay (from a small mesh hay bag) that has been analyzed at 8.1% protein. I have tried to give him a little alfalfa to add protein and help with ulcers but he blows up like a balloon!
He is on ReitSport 100 HA Lite, 4oz per day, plus 1 oz Body Builder. He gets 1# of Triple Crown Lite and about 2 cups of soaked alfalfa pellets to make enough slurry to hide the supplements in per day. I feel he needs more protein to build muscle and want to add the Triple Crown 30% supplement. Is that okay and if so, how much to feed so he gets adequate protein but doesn't get vit/minerals out of balance?
Thanks for your great help!
Where are you from? Colorado
How did you locate this forum? internet
Hi Camille,
If you switch to TC 30%, you can stop feeding alfalfa, since this supplement is high in soybean meal (also a legume). The feeding directions state 2 lbs per day for a heavily exercised horse.
Take a close look at your horse's stress level. Stress is a major cause of obesity simply because the stress hormone, cortisol, causes insulin resistance. And an insulin resistant horse cannot efficiently burn fat for energy -- the cells simply will not let go of fat.
The fact that he has ulcers indicates that stress is likely a factor. Alfalfa pellets are not as good at buffering (for ulcers) as hay or even cubes. So, for now, go with the TC 30%, help your horse be a horse as much as is possible with as much turnout as possible, time with a buddy, and perhaps a break so he can recuperate. He'll be better in the long run.
One product I highly recommend is AmiQuell -- this herbal preparation soothes and heals the digestive lining.
Please keep me posted.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO