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RE: [RC] Alfalpha Pellets - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.Clarification-- don't feed the larger pellets, the ones about 3/8" in diameter and 1/2-1" long. The little "rabbit pellet" sized are fine. Susan -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bette Lamore Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 8:31 PM To: suendavid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: 'Catfish Daniels'; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Alfalpha Pellets Hi Susan Your statement about not feeding pellets to horses under 6 months really surprised me because that is the only time I feed pellets (except for older horse pellet supplements for hard keepers)-- I have always fed mare and foal pellets to babies 1 month till around 6 months. The vets around here all recommend it for nursing mares and babies and I used to feed Tiz Wiz before I discovered a local feed that is really good. What would you recommend for babies, then (given that I am already feeding them really good alfalfa for calcium)? Thanks for any info Bette Bette Lamore Whispering Oaks Arabians Home of Bunny and 16.2h TLA Halynov who lives on through his legacy Hal's Riverdance! http://www.arabiansporthorse.com "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming --WOW-- what a ride !! " Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M. wrote: 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 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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