ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Pellets vs. Hay

Re: Pellets vs. Hay

Susan Evans Garlinghouse (suendavid@worldnet.att.net)
Mon, 13 Oct 1997 09:12:44 -0700

The main thing with pellets is to make sure they are coming from a
> reputable dealer and you can see the ingredints list. Several years ago
> some horses in So. California died of botulisam due to a dead rat falling
> during processing. If you know the dealer then you shouldn't have a problem
> with this or with the quality of hay used.

I agree with making sure good quality feed is used, but coming from a
reputable dealer isn't a guarentee. The cubes n' botulism incident you
refer to involved alfalfa cubes from Paramount, considered to be very
reputable and one of the biggest here in So Cal. The animal flesh
(actually, it was rabbit) came from the cubing process out in the
hayfields, which no dealer is going to be able to control---the animals
simply are hiding under the mown and cured hay and get swept up into the
machinery. (I happen to know the details because I was boarding Cato at
the LA Equestrian Center at the time and he was fed from the same
batch. Four of the dozen horses that died lived within 100 ft. of
Cato's stall. Yep, you better believe I don't care for cubes.)

I sure agree with you about the need to chew. Entertainment is a big
part of forage. Good point. :-)

Susan

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