Yes, it is okay to feed grain at a ride. In fact, feed some about 10
minutes before you get to the vet check. It can give an energy boost to a horse
that is getting tired, and also might stimulate the horse’s appetite so
maybe he will want more of that hay and beet pulp. Carry a baggy with a cup of
the horse’s favorite grain and give handfuls of it on the way in, or use
carrots and apples, they will do the same, but I think there is more quick
energy in the grain. Go ahead and pour some grain and/or apples and carrots right
on top of the beet pulp.
Kathy
It's not that I feel feeding grain is bad, but
in attempting to educate my feeble brain (and forgive my limited
understanding of equine nutrition if I've got this wrong...), and reading about
nutrition - especially Susan G's nutrition articles, it seems like
ideally, to maintain a happy gut during the ride, the majority of what the
horse should eat should be mainly forage based with a little bit of
grain.... ? Like what it says in one of Susan's articles:
"Focus on green grass, long-stem hay and well-soaked beet pulp to
provide bulk throughout the day, with additional grain sources to provide
energy only if motility is being maintained."
So that's why i'm wondering, if the horse
isn't chowing on the hay or the beet pulp, and there
isn't anything to graze on, and you've got B's or C's on the gut scores, is it
OK to give him oats/sweet feed/pellets...? or is
it just OK in limited amounts?
I think i'll see if my friend wants to try ultium as a lot of people have been recommending that, and
since it is has beet pulp as one of the main ingredients (?i
think?), then that might be OK.
