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>The LMF I feed says that it should be fed only with a good quality grass or
>oat hay - and so that is all my horses get (no alfalfa), and yet they still
>became blimps over the winter. It also states not to feed any additional
>source of selenium, and no alfalfa.
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>Since I'm posting to the list, I thought I would ask about that 'weight
>thing' I've got going with my two critters. Does anybody elses horses get
>fat on just grass hay? (and oat hay?) It's not like they aren't worked and
>exercised - they are turned out 24 hours a day and ridden often, on good
>long conditioning rides. I'm sure that now they will lose some of the
>weight because I'll be riding more often after work. How fast should this
>weight come off? I don't want to take it off too fast, and I don't want to
>start them on an instant diet either - especially since they are both
>getting worked harder now than they have in months.
>
>I've been giving the one horse about 4 lb. (2 lb. in a.m., and 2 lb. in
>p.m.) of LMF per day when he goes on an avg. 12 mile conditioning ride,
>mostly trotting, and walking up steep hills. Maybe I should cut that back?
>Do any of you think it is a problem to start the season with a horse that is
>fit (his recoveries on the monitor as as good as ever), but a little fleshy?
>I don't want to end up with a skeleton by the end of the season, it really
>bothers me when they get that thin, even though I know it is better for them
>to be on the thin side. I'm a featherweight rider -myself and tack,
>including filled water bottles weigh in at 138.
>
>Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you,
>
>Karen
>& the boys (who, if not given plenty of grass hay think they are beavers
>and eat the fence....)
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