Re: Re: Re: Animal By-Products in Feed

["Cheryl" <mskit@utec.net>]

Hello all -

Susan G said (it all) -


I wouldn't presume to tell people
>what foods are right or wrong for them in their diet.
>However, I think that there's alot of mileage that gets bludgeoned out of
>taking what are some pretty innocuous livestock feed manufacturing
practices
>and turning them into vile, evil and corrupt conspiracies meant to poison
>the entire human and animal population.  Believe me, there would be alot
>more seriously sick people and humans around if preservatives were *not*
>included in commercial feed. Most people are more concerned about
convenience in their lives
>and want someone else to do the majority of their food prep, and that goes
>for horse feeds as well.  If you make that choice, then yes, preservatives
>have to be somewhere in the equation---if it wasn't, there'd be no way to
>adequately control spoilage and ther'd be ALOT of horses colicking from
>moldy feed.  Take your pick.

I say -
You Go Girl.

Robyn or Maurisa said -
>> Feed additives are common


I say -
Yes, and so are longer-lived horses. One reason being is that this whole
thing is consumer driven - people want things faster and cheaper, which
means produce, produce, produce and hurry, hurry, hurry. And better quality
and affordability.

  Susan G said -
Controversy and yellow journalism sells,
reality rarely does.

I say -
'Nuff said.

Robyn or Maurisa said -
>> Purina Complete Advantage, Purina Horseman's Edge, as well as Omelene and
>> Equine feeds contain propionic acid.

I say -
Your point is? I'm glad they use the acid becauseif they didn't, I couldn't
feed out fifty pounds of Omolene in the summer to three horses (it has been
three years now since they've had any grain) without it molding. Give me
propionic acid over botulism any day! If by some chance we have a poor hay
year, and I have to feed concentrate, Purina Omolene is the one I reach for.

Susan G said -
>Ooooooooohhhhhhhh nnnnnooooooooo, not propionic acid.  Folks, proprionic
>acid is naturally produced in the hindgut of herbivores, including horses,
>as the result of microbial fermentation, along with acetic, butyric, lactic
>and a few others.  Been that way for millions of years, long before Purina
>showed up.  As a matter of fact, dairy cattle would die within hours of
>hypoglycemia if they *didn't* produce proprionate, and probably
>horses---especially endurance horses---as well.

I say -
I buy hay from a producer who sprays both dessicant at time of cut, and then
propionic acid at baling. Years ago I did my own reading on this, and you
know what?- I've never been worried one bit about it. To cut as early as
they do in this area, you pretty much need to do this to prevent the mold.
Their application rates are low to begin with. This is because they make the
good stuff, and it (along with a dryer) is one of the ways they ensure the
quality - by using preservative - hello. If by some silly or misguided
reason, someone insists on buying untreated hay, they must take it right
from the field (it is not taken to the storeage building) the guarantee
against mold is voided, the hay is non-returnable, and will be no refund if
it molds - it is written. I've been buying from them for twelve years (this
Sept.) and feeding the same horses for twelve, ten and two years. Everybody
is fine, and nobody glows in the dark (although that might not be a bad
idea...).

Susan said -
>I always enjoy statements from people declaring that they would never feed
>animal fat to their horses because it isn't "natural".  Apparently riding
in
>a leather saddle, with biothane/synthetic tack, feeding grain (which is not
>natural to horses in the wild state), nailing pieces of steel to their feet
>and riding them 50-100 miles in a day IS?  Gimme a break.
The article goes on and on . . .
This type of yellow journalism usually does.
>
>Susan G

Cheryl in WNY
Preserved Ponies Kit, Bobby & Dani

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
>Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>