Re: [RC] How much feed change is too much? - Vicki Lee
As quoted from the "Feeding and Care of the Horse" (2nd ed.),
author Lon D. Lewis, ISBN 0-683-04967-4, page 154, "Changing Diets"
.....The horse's diet (type of forage or grain, or the
amount of either) should be changed gradually over several days or weeks.
Increasing the amount of grain fed at a rate of no more than about 0.5 lb
(0.2-0.3 kg) daily until the desired level is reached is a safe approach.
Increasing the amount of grain fed too rapidly may cause colic or founder.
(further) It is best to gradually decrease the
amount of grain fed, particularly for horses on a high-grain diet, such as those
returned home from strenuous performance training or competition. Their
diet and amount of exercise should be reduced gradually over a 2-week
period.
When given a day off, horses normally subject to strenuous
daily exertion should have their grain decreased that day, be given some
exercise, and preferably stay in an enclosure of sufficient size to allow them
to run. On the first day of work or training following the day of rest,
they should be warmed up slowly to prevent exertion
myopathy...............
Myopathy: Any and all disease of muscle.
When either the type of hay or grain is being changed,
replace only about 25% of the current feed every other day so that it takes
about 1 week before the new feed completely replaces the old. Many horses
prefer the feed to which they are accustomed, so when the type of feed is
changed, feed intake or eagerness to eat may be reduced unless the new feed is
substantially more palatable than the old.
Horses being put on lush, green pasture should be given all
of the hay to which they are accustomed before being turned out on the
pasture. If possible, increase the time the horses are on the
pasture by 1 hour each day (i.e. "green" your horse by limiting the grazing time
by 1 hour increments per day) after the 4th or 5th day, they can be left on
pasture. The more lush and plentiful the pasture forage the more important
these procedures.
Reproduced in the hopes to help others.
> > Hello, > > I bought a 3 1/2 yo
Morab mare 2 1/2 weeks ago. She was on green pasture in > Oregon
and alfalfa at night, along with COB. I wormed her with ivermectin
> after I removed her bots. > > I brought one bale of
alfalfa home with her to N. California. At the > stable where
I board, they feed rye hay. So she has had rye in the am and > her
alfalfa at night. When we ran out of her alfalfa she was switched to
> rye hay only, and that has been for about 7 days. > > Lots
of changes for a 3 yo. > > I would like to start giving her beet
pulp, flax seed, oil, LMF super Sup. > I think she's lost a bit of
weight since I've had her. We've upped her rye > hay amount. Should
I wait another week or two to start her beet pulp mix or > can I start
now? > > She'll be brought up to date with her IZs on
11/30. > > Thanks, > > Nina > >
_________________________________________________________________ > Is
there a gadget-lover on your gift list? MSN Shopping has lined up some
> good bets! http://shopping.msn.com > > >
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. >
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp >
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp > > Ride Long and Ride Safe!! > >
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >
