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RE: [RC] Purina Ultium-feeding before/at ride question - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.========================================== I found something that Tempo seems to finally WANT to eat, Purina Ultium. He will be on it regular at 2-4 lbs a day. Knowing it is a high fat feed, what if any changes should I consider the week before and at the ride time? I don't want to "encourage" any digestive upsets, in case I need to taper or stop feeding it at that time. To find something he really loves is SUCH a treat for me...finally. :o) Skyla and Tempo (soggy rat looking pony these days...stop the rain) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I don't think you need to change anything on ride days. Since a constant intake of food during a ride is ideal, something they really like is a big plus. I usually don't advise feeding fats during rides, as the fats don't provide a ready source of energy and somewhat slow down gastric emptying---but, even a "high fat" feed like Ultium isn't providing all THAT much fat all at once. For example, say your horse eats two pounds of 12% added fat feed at a vet check. That's still less than four ounces of fat. Some, but not tons of fat, and not a big deal. I think whatever slight decrease in gastric emptying you might get is outweighed by getting an otherwise well energy-balanced, well-accepted feed that they're familiar with into them. Just don't add any additional fat, ie corn oil, to the mix, and be sure to feed it as a nice, sloppy mash with plenty of forage on ride day. :-) Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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