Re: keeping weight on

[Susan Evans Garlinghouse <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

> Susan , I really hate to correct you but Equine Senior has 1225 cal/Lb  DE
> compared to 900 cal/lb DE for Alfalfa Hay.
> If you have any questions about te DE of Purina Products I'll be glad to
> share
> Amber

No problem.  However, I've done alot of nutritive analysis on alfalfa
samples that easily hit 1200 cal/lb and more.  In any case, even at 1225
cal/lb, Equine Senior is still primarily a forage source.  To put on
weight, you have to increase the energy density of the ration, not
increase forage   That would be like a human being trying to put on
weight by eating nothing but plain baked potatoes---it can be done, but
you sure have to eat a truckload of it to do it (and yes, I know
potatoes are not an exact nutritional parallel with alfalfa, this is
just an example).  So I stand by my original suggestion that you can add
some sort of pellet to the diet and increase energy density somewhat,
but if you want to really increase energy, feeding pelleted feeds
(Equine Senior of alfalfa pellets) probably aren't the answer.

Thanks for the info, though.

Susan Garlinghouse
> 
> > Equine Senior and pelleted feeds do not provide any more calories than
> > flake hay do, but they are digested slightly more efficiently because of
> > the smaller particle size.  The operative word there is slightly, though
> > Equine Senior more so than just pelleted hay.  However, there are also
> > drawbacks in feeding a 100% pelleted diet in how the pellets are
> > digested and metabolized.  If you want, you could replace maybe half of
> > Tony's hay ration with pelleted feeds, but I'd suggest you continue to
> > provide at least ten pounds a day in the form of flake hay or equivalent
> > pasture.
> >
> 
> > My suggestion would be to start adding corn or vegetable oil back into
> > his diet in his beet pulp ration.  Start out slowly and keep upping the
> > ration until he's getting maybe two cups a day.  That's about a 10% fat
> > ration, which is reasonable.  Split the fat ration into two feedings if
> > possible to maximize the absorption.
> 
> > Undoubtedly, you'll also be getting some suggestions to add rice bran to
> > his ration, and possibly the effects of the gamma oryzanol content might
> > help.  Everyone by now knows I'm not fond of rice bran and why, but if
> > you do choose to provide rice bran, (and I promise I'll still speak
> > nicely to you :-D), I would do so along with the oil, not just instead
> > of, or it will cost you an arm and a leg to pay for enough to really put
> > weight on, and you will be providing too much phosphorus and protein.
> > Also, you will have to provide an extra source of calcium, since that
> > much phosphorus in the rice bran is going to invert your
> > calcium-phosphorus ratio.  Probably the easiest way to do that is by
> > providing some ground limestone---if you just throw a few handfuls into
> > the bottom of his feed tub, most horses will eat what they need.
> >
> > Good luck to you.  You're to be commended for seeing a problem and
> > taking steps to solve it before you get into your spring ride schedule
> > and his condition drops enough to affect performance and health.  Good
> > for you.
> >
> > Susan Garlinghouse
> >
> >
> >
> > Tina Hicks wrote:
> > >
> > > I need some ideas....Tony does not maintain his weight well
> > > when being ridden seriously and my spring ride schedule is
> > > more intensive than I've done before - I'm worried about him
> > > carrying enough weight into his rides. Part of it is
> > > temperment - he stresses over anything :) so he always drops
> > > weight hauling to a ride tho he's an experienced hauler. The
> > > other part of it is he's an angular built horse so he's
> > > gonna tend to show some "angles" when he gets fit.
> > >
> > > *However* even with all that I want him a little rounder
> > > than he is now going into the rides.
> > >
> > > He's on 8lbs corn/oats and 2 buckets of beet pulp per day
> > > split between 2 feedings. I'm not real comfortable putting
> > > too much more grain in him and I don't think he'll eat any
> > > more salad <g>. He's on Excel vitamins, probiotic, biotin,
> > > full turnout, and grass hay.  Not currently on corn oil tho
> > > I have had him on it - didn't see a tremendous amt of
> > > difference with his weight while on it.
> > >
> > > What is the current wisdom on complete pelleted feeds for
> > > weight maintenance? What about Equine Senior?
> > >
> > > Comments/thoughts welcome privately or to the list
> > >
> > > Tina
> > > Tony - a little too svelte these days
> > > hickst@nichols.com
> >