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.
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hello Kristen,
Thank you for writing and for your interest in reading my book.
I took a look at this feed and the first item on the list of ingredients is alfalfa hay -- that is fine. But the second thing is corn. Corn is problematic for two reasons. First, it is very high in starch -- higher than oats. And most horses do not need to eat so much starch. Over time, it can lead to metabolic syndrome and even equine Cushing's disease.
But, a more immediate problem with corn is that it is not well digested in the foregut (the small intestine). Consequently, it can end up undigested in the hind gut where the bacterial population living there can ferment it into lactic acid. This can potentially lead to cecal acidosis and the risk of colic and laminitis is very real.
It also contains diatomaceous earth, which I am not convinced of its safety.
So, these are a few of my thoughts about this feed. If you have a young, performance horse that can tolerate the higher starch level, then this will work during those times. But, it is not appropriate for an older horse, or one that is growing, or one that is not exercised at any significant level.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
I have wanted to buy this book ever since I found it, but cannot afford it yet. I just started my horse boarding barn Wildwood Equestrian Center in September of 2012. One year in business and were full and thriving. Will soon be looking for a second property to lease! My question is what are your thoughts on this new horse feed? "Total Equine" Organic horse feed.
I like it because I can feed it to all the horses in the barn. My senior horses are even showing change in body condition.
Where are you from? Waverly, Ohio