Re: Ulcers in Young Horses

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Mary:

I do not disagree with you in the least about grain heads being available in
natural grazing. I would though advise you to investigate the growth pattern
and nutritional content in the several growth stages.

Next, analyze the amount of feed consumed by a 8 month foal during a day and
the time span over which the "grain" (?) is ingested. Compare this to the
amount of whole grain being fed, consumed in a few moments, to the foal in
question.

From this analyzation  you will realize the difference of dumping a lump of
unnatural whole grain into the digestive system vs the gradual intake of
small amounts of undeveloped varied type seed heads consumed along with
larger amounts of roughage.

I would liken this comparison to you consuming some prune cake vs eating a
hand full of prunes with out any thing else.

Try it sometime

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Rose <sloryder@fix.net>
To: Robert Morris <bobmorris@rmci.net>; Jpcornes@aol.com <Jpcornes@aol.com>;
ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 1999 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: Ulcers in Young Horses


>O.K. Here is my opinion.
>Horses in the wild eat grain. Oh yes, I know it is a scary thought. Where
do
>you think grain comes from? It comes from grasses. In nature a horse would
>graze on several species of grasses and leguemes and forbs. During the
>spring and summer the grasses produce seed the seed is grain. Nature also
>blesses the grazers so that the young are born in early spring so that as
>the milk production declines the natural grains are available for the
young.
>Horses do not grow up to their full healty poteintal on just hay, they do
>need some sort
>additions to their diet.   I aint no  scientist, but I do know about what
>grows out it those there hills.  Any other comments??
>
>Mary Rose
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Morris <bobmorris@rmci.net>
>To: Jpcornes@aol.com <Jpcornes@aol.com>; ridecamp@endurance.net
><ridecamp@endurance.net>
>Date: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 2:04 PM
>Subject: Re: Ulcers in Young Horses
>
>
>>Susan:
>>
>>How about letting this critter be a HORSE!!!
>>
>>Unless you are planning to raise him for meat for next winter, I would
>>suggest cutting out the grain and let him grow up like a horse!
>>
>>The grain is not a natural food for a young horse and could be the basic
>>problem antagonized by the insults to the body (leg wound, head wound and
>>testicle wound)
>>
>>Can you imagine how you would feel if you were hurt and fed on a high
>>protein diet with sugar added?
>>Bob Morris
>>Morris Endurance Enterprises
>>Boise, ID
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Jpcornes@aol.com <Jpcornes@aol.com>
>>To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
>>Date: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 2:24 PM
>>Subject: Ulcers in Young Horses
>>
>>
>>>I have a colt I plan on using for endurance riding some day.  He will be
8
>>>months old at the end of January.  I had him on what I thought was a
>>>reasonable training program consisting of desensitizing to traffic, motor
>>>bikes, etc.,  basic manners, such a picking up feet, short ponying
>sessions
>>>(less than 30 minutes), and several short (less than 5 miles round trip)
>>>trailers rides, all with a buddy.  Did our first solo trailer ride this
>w/e
>>>which went well.   He had learned very quickly and appeared to be taking
>it
>>>all in stride.
>>>
>>>He has had loose stools since I got him at 4 months and has been off and
>on
>>>probiotics - more off than on.  Since the loose stools persisted I called
>>the
>>>vet and he believes he may have developed an ulcer.
>>>
>>>Other factors: he was weaned at 4 months, had an "upward traveling" leg
>>injury
>>>that went to the bone shortly after weaning,  which required antibiotics
>>and
>>>daily bandaging (healed nicely however).  Required 8 stiches on his face
>>after
>>>the ride to his new home (thrashed inside of the stock trailer) and then
>>had a
>>>case of diarrhea the second week in his new home.  The actual process of
>>>gelding did not go well, but again recovered nicely.  He has free access
>to
>>>70/30 grass/alfafa and gets 3# grain in the am and 3# grain in the pm
plus
>>>vitamins added to the grain.
>>>
>>>Has anyone else has any experience with ulcers and young horses?  Or
>>chronic
>>>loose stools?  I thought I was doing the right thing by exposing him to
as
>>>much as possible at a young age but suddenly it feels like it has
>>backfired.
>>>The vet suggest no trailering or stressful lessons until next spring plus
>>>probiotics on a daily basis.    I would appreciate any
>comments/suggestions
>>as
>>>I am feeling rather discouraged.    Thanks.
>>>
>>>Susan
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>