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<< I am hoping that you can give me some insight here....
Both ABC plus and Dynamite supplements recommend a dry corn, oats,
barley mix (no molasses). I think ABC actually says 45% oats, 30%
barley, 25% cracked corn. They say to feed this with grass hay
(dynamite) or 50/50 grass alfalfa (ABC), and free choice plain salt.
My question is, how necessary is it to feed the supplements?!! Don't
you have a fairly balanced diet by feeding a 50/50 mix and grain?
Also, how important is the addition of the oats? I can buy dry
barley/corn fairly cheap... adding oats gets spendier.
What would a diet of 50/50 hay, barley/corn, and rice bran give me?
Should I add a supplement (any good cheap ones out there that fit the
bill?)
I just hate to shell out bucks for supplements that I could be using for
ride entries!
Anyhow, thanks for listening to me ramble!
>>
Both the companies you mention are led by people who are quite knowledgable
in leading-edge nutrition. It is well-known that NRC requirements are low in
many areas in regard to strenuous work in horses. In some areas, it appears
that the NRC has no knowledge at all.
Whether these products are beneficial for your horse is a matter of
observation--if you don't see a benefit, then move away from them. If you do
see a benefit, then continue with them. The keys to supplements are that the
formulas are right (balanced) and the ingredients are high quality. For a
good understanding of how supplements affect athletes, look up Dr. Luke
Bucci's books and articles. You may then want to develop your own
formulas--getting rid of expensive supplements that don't work and moving to
those that have been proven in athletes. Bucci's books are very well
referenced.
Experiment!
ti
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