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Re: [RC] feeding for the cold weather (Susan G?) - heidiroughage has always been my feed of choice to help them stay warm in winter. i might question whether alfalfa pellets would give the roughage since it is not long fibers anymore??? i've not fed beet pulp but i would think the unpelleted form (soaked of course and hot water might be appreciated!) would not be as efficient as the unprocessed (shredded) form???? again, longer fibers. If the horse has decent dentition, the fibers are no longer long by the time they hit the hindgut... Perhaps Susan might have more to say on the matter, but fiber is still fiber, even if it is already "pre-chewed" to make into a pellet. Alfalfa pellets also still have the protein, which helps with warmth. BTW, our elderly gents with poor/missing teeth that live on soaked "mash" diets seem to do just fine with a combo of alfalfa pellets and beet pulp soaked as their "fiber source." the other thing in cold weather that our horses appreciate is warm water twice a day, at least in the morning. they always drink more if the water is warmed up. if you have to travel a ways to your horse you can transport a bucket of hot (cools some intransit) water in a cooler, offer it while it is warm. keeping the horses drinking in cold weather is important to avoid constipation and colic caused by blockage. Yes, water intake is really important. I'm eternally grateful to finally have most of the horses on automatic waterers--although the water is not "hot" it is still about the temp that it comes out of the well (somewhere in the 50s) and it sure "feels" warm when you stick your finger into it on sub-zero days. And although the twice-a-day warm water sure helps, I think it is even more ideal to have a somewhat-warm water source available all the time. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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