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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 

 

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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Dr. Juliet Getty
May 8, 2012 - 3:52PM
Re: pony

Hi Cristine,

Free choice means never running out, not even for 10 minutes -- all the time -- day and night -- 24 hours a day. If he runs out he will never get the message that he has all that he wants, and he will never walk away from it. He will continue to eat and eat and eat. But, if there is hay there all the time (and I mean, all the time), then, and only then, will eventually get the message that he has an unlimited supply and will start to self-regulate his intake.



All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Cristine Cameron
Dr.G, We LOVE you and this site!!!!!!!!!! 'Lightning' is settling in nicely and I have had him here for 2 weeks and am having my hay tested. It is off my spare pasture which tested fine so........but my question is "free-choice" (when separated but not isolated) has him eating all of it every night. I offered a tiny bit more hay and he ate that. Will he eventually learn that it will be there etc.etc. or do S.Ponies just eat everything in site??? I am going to make him a Therapy "Horse" since he will walk through any door, into any room (my living room) and loves to snuggle. The only time he isn't interested in eating is when being petted. He is very sweet. Do I keep free-choice hay in front of him all night?? During the day he is with the 2 horses either in the sacrifice area with hay, or in the pasture with G.Muzzles. (He does not mind wearing one at all.) He is a darling addition to our family. THANK YOU FOR HELPING HIM BE HEALTHY.

Where are you from? Waverly, OH

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May 8th, 2012 - 3:52 PM
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Cristine
May 9, 2012 - 4:22AM
Re: pony

Okay. I understand the reasoning behind FREE Choice, but I just keep hearing 'ponies are different', "ponies have to be fed different from horses", etc.etc. so I just wanted to make sure. He (and the other 2) have hay in front of them at all times. Seems I waste quite a bit on the days they don't eat it but rather just play in it, but I do get the theory. And often I see all of them just napping in the sun with hay just a few feet away, so they do "walk away". Thank you much.

Where are you from? Sedro-Woolley, WA

How did you locate this forum? newsletter

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May 9th, 2012 - 4:22 AM
Dr. Juliet Getty
May 9, 2012 - 8:15AM
Re: pony

Hi Cristine,

You're correct -- ponies are different -- they need less fat in their diet and they all tend to be insulin resistant. The free choice, concept, however, is the same, as long as the hay you're feeding is low in %NSC (less than 12% and preferably lower than that) and also low in calories -- no more than .89 Mcals/lb.

How 'bout using a slow feeder -- several of them, scattered about, will help him to eat less while moving around to get to it.

And exercise is so important -- even 10 minutes a day of walking.

You're doing a wonderful job!

Best wishes,

Dr. Getty

Cristine
Okay. I understand the reasoning behind FREE Choice, but I just keep hearing 'ponies are different', "ponies have to be fed different from horses", etc.etc. so I just wanted to make sure. He (and the other 2) have hay in front of them at all times. Seems I waste quite a bit on the days they don't eat it but rather just play in it, but I do get the theory. And often I see all of them just napping in the sun with hay just a few feet away, so they do "walk away". Thank you much.

Where are you from? Waverly, Ohio

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May 9th, 2012 - 8:15 AM
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