 |
RE: [RC] Alfalpha Pellets - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.Well - my question is...have any of you all fed your horses these alfalpha pellets? What are the pros and the cons.
Pros:
1) Easier to store and feed with less waste.
2) Easier to measure out by the pound.
3) Can be soaked with water into sloppy mush for horses with poor dentition
or that need meds, etc
Cons:
1) Pellets of any kind are primary cause of esophageal obstruction
("choke"), especially if horse has poor teeth, wolfs food and/or has to
compete with other horses.
2) Pellets can be eaten faster with less chewing-- therefore higher
incidence of chewing fences, barns, etc because of increased boredom and to
compensate for unsatisfied grazing instinct
3) Less chew time required versus long stem hay means less saliva and bicarb
production, thus less buffering in stomach against formation of gastric
ulcers in prone horses.
4) Cubing process = possible to include the occasional wayward bunny or
mouse = botulism formation under the right conditions. Also possible when
baling hay, but less likely.
5) Small particle size of pellets means less bulk and IMO, less benefit to
maintaining hindgut motility versus long-stem hay.
6) Don't ask babies < 6 months to try to eat pellets or cubes, they just
don't seem to do a good job of it IME. Some may manage it, but most just
don't have the dentition or jaw strength or dexterity or whatever.
JMO.
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!!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|