I have a couple nutrition questions.? I am helping several
people in my barn get started with endurance this year and while I have some
opinions on nutrition and haven’t had any issues, I do want to make sure
I’m passing on good information as well as continue learning myself.
My basic philosophy has been to keep it simple and not add “stuff”
just cuz someone else is using it, but rather see a need and find a solution.?
I primarily feed some good quality grass hay and add a little alfalfa (like a
handful or half slice) just in case my hay is deficient in calcium.? No, I
haven’t had it tested because we don’t have a consistent source
during a year or from year to year.
I don’t feed huge amounts of grain, usually a pound or
so of Strategy and provide a free choice mineral block, which takes them a long
time to go through, so I think I must not be missing too much.? When we have
horses come into our facility they usually charge through a couple blocks and
then slow down dramatically.
During rides I offer a lot more alfalfa, feed beet pulp with
lots more Strategy and Equine Sr. (probably a couple pounds of each for each
feeding before the ride, at each vet check and after the ride).? I have not
always been thrilled by the amount of food a couple of my horses eat during
rides, but that’s been isolated to one horse that I think has ulcers and
I no longer compete and keep on Neighlox and the other has only done one ride,
so I don’t feel I have enough information on him yet.
So my first questions are 1)? during active conditioning and
the ride season, should I be feeding a lot more than a pound of Strategy?? 2) should
I be adding anything else to their general diet w/o a clear problem?? 3) should
I be feeding more Strategy and Sr during the rides?? 4) should I be feeding
other grains/supplements during the rides?? 5)? I know it is recommended to not
feed a heavy grain meal within 4 hours of the start of the ride – what is
the definition of a heavy grain meal?? 6) Is my beet pulp mix with Strategy and
Sr too much “grain” for a couple hours before a ride?
The next subject is feeding fat.? I haven’t done this
intentionally in the past, but it is one of the things I think I should be
doing.? As I understand it, I should supplement fat on a general basis and then
withdraw during a ride.? So my questions here are 1) is that protocol correct??
2) how much fat are we talking about?? 3) what fat sources have people found
generally affordable and available in rural areas?? We do have rice bran at our
feed store and I’ve been adding a half cup to a couple horses.? If that
amount isn’t sufficient to “make a difference” then I should
probably increase or else I’m just wasting money!
Just for more background information, we will be starting
the season with 25’s to get the newbies up to speed and then working
toward a couple slow 50’s by the end of the season for a few of us.? Next
year I want to do primarily 50’s, getting into the range of 6-7 hours or
maybe a little faster depending upon the terrain and the particular horse by
the end of the season.
Thank you in advance for any advice!!!!
Marlene
Marlene Moss
www.LosPinos-CO.com -
Boarding, Sales and More
www.KineticEquineAnalysis.com
- Saddle Fitting
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.7/1285 - Release Date: 2/18/2008 5:50 AM
