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[RC] Feeding Questions - Patti KuvikFrom: Val Nicoson <sweetmare55@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: [RC] Feeding Questions Just attended an equine nutrition seminar that is shedding new light on the feeding of horses and would thoughts on this new program from others. I may decide to go with the one-rat study on my own horse to see whether I see any improvement or not. Hi Val - I do some diet balancing for a few members of the Equine Cushing's List (after studying equine nutrition intensively for a few years after my mare developed Insulin Resistance problems) - one of my primary goals is that people understand what and why they're feeding their horses and make sound decisions based on good research. Susan G's reply on Ridecamp is right on - if you haven't already, read her articles at http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/index.shtml . At first, after looking at the web site and products, I felt "just another one making bucks off of unsuspecting horse owners trying to do the right thing". Wow - $43 for approx eight days worth of magnesium and chromium (Syndrome X Formula) - I can do that for six months for three horses for $43 (I buy bulk magnesium oxide and buy my chromium from Costco). Or see a "comparable" product, Quiessence, at http://www.foxdenequine.com/ for 34 ¢ a day. And over $3/day for a "one size fits all" supplement" that doesn't even supply the minimum requirement for copper (as shown in the National Research Council "Nutrient Requirements for Horses" Fifth Revised Edition, which is considered the "bible" of equine nutrition). And I chuckled when I noticed that one of the ingredients is "stabilized flax", (which is a specialized method of grinding called "micronizing" flax used by many manufacturers - see http://www.horsetech.com/default.htm , http://www.omegafields.com/docs/horsesh.html ), seeing that you were told that "grinding" flax is bad. But I got a bit miffed when I saw the "Grazing Mystery and Fact" page - which failed to credit Katy Watts, who developed the research this page is based on and presented this information in a recent symposium at Rutgers and in journal articles (and was extensively quoted this year in an Equus article). See her website www.safergrass.org. As far as chelated minerals - there are advantages at times for some minerals, it's not necessary for all. Chelation is a process that attaches a salt of the mineral to a protein/amino acid that helps carry it to the part of the digestive system where it might be best absorbed. Almost all supplement manufacturers get their chelated minerals from the same few suppliers (Zin-Pro, Trouw, Uckele). http://www.zinpro.com/information/faq.htm has some articles that will help you understand how minerals are chelated - but minerals are ALWAYS chelated individually, then added to the mix (a mix can not, as the "One A Day" web info implies, be "chelated" after the supplement mix is made up). As Susan (and others) have said, good equine nutrition is not rocket science but, if you feel your horse can benefit from some improved rations, it pays to learn about the ration you're already feeding and what, specifically, needs to be changed or added to improve it - the "what and why". Some good places to start would be to go the Ridecamp archives and search for anything Susan G. has written. Or join the Cushing's group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/ and just lurk and read the files (while it may be too "specific" for some, the basic diet information is just that, basic.) And beware of relying on info from someone who wants you to buy their product - they're trying to sell you something. Patti Kuvik Vail AZ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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