I found the following
information when researching ways to increase a horse's appetite. The article
does NOT address appetite, it's referring to feeding the equine athlete, and
does talk about feeding oats.
*Include a
dietary aid such as live yeast culture. Live yeast culture can improve feed
utilization and helps stabilize the environment in a horse's hind gut - where
most of the dietary problems arise. There are supplements on the market that
contain a whole range of live bacteria and enzymes but these can be expensive.
Live yeast culture is available in a number of prepared feeds including
StableMaster Cool Command, Energise Plus and the supplement
Groom.
*Try to feed
highly digestible feeds that do not generate as much heat during the digestion
process. This applies to processed, steam rolled grains, extruded corn, pelleted
feeds and oil. This will reduce the horse's total heat
load.
*Use whole
oats. There will never be a better whole cereal for horses than oats. They are
high in fibre, high in oil, very palatable and the starch is predominantly
digested in the small intestine. If your horse can take oats - feed them whole
and feed them often.
The article I found on
increasing appetite, claimed that a product called Ration Plus for Horses, which
has some sort of enzymes in it (a bacteria-based probiotic). http://store.longacresfarm.com/RP_horses1.aspx#Proof
Is this information accurate, Susan G.? Is it
possible that this supplement would really help a horse to gain weight and
actually have an increased appetite?
My mare has hay in front of her 24/7 (red oat,
oat/wheat/barley, aflalfa), she just does not have the desire to eat much. She
doesn't even finish her mash of beet pulp, sunflower seeds, and rolled
oats, UNLESS I add LMF Senior to it. She also will only eat carrots
occasionally, and never apples, however, she loves Manna Pro Apple Wafers. I've
been trying to put weight on her since June, she's gained some, but still needs
more. What do I do now?
