About Samantha Brunner Expertise Buying and selling horses, nutrition, housing, confinement, behavioral issues, showing (Jumpers, Hunters, Halter, Western Pleasure, Saddleseat), Long distance trail riding-Endurance and Competative Trail, hoof care, grooming, general training, Trailering both local and long distance, Equine Appraisals (Show, Intented Use, Insurance, Legal matters, and Sale). I have been a student of Lyn Kamer, also an expert in this category, for 13 years.
Experience I have been a horsewoman for 13 years. I have ridden English, Western, Saddleseat, and have shown in all of these disciplines. I have ridden both Endurance, Competative Trail Rides, and Judged Trail Rides. I have assisted at all of the above on numerous occassions. In the proccess I have accumulated many, many miles of experience.
Organizations American Society of Equine Appraisers, Eastern Competative Trail Ride Association, New Jersey Trail Ride Association, Bull Run Hunt Club, Warrenton, VA; Culpeper Horse Owners Association, Culpeper, VA
Question I operate a modest boarding facility 4 horses boarded, 2 or my own. One of the boarders is an IR/cushionoid horse, As we have been working out her diet needs, I have become increasingly aware of horse nutrition and want to balance all the horses diets. Go less carb, and balance the vit/min in the diet starting with hay. I have had an analysis done of the hay and this is where i am stuck. I see the hay needs but how to factor in the rest of the diets influences. If you can help or direct me It would be appreciated.
Answer Deborah,
In a multi- horse situation you are never going to completely meet every horses nutritional needs, but kudos to you for wanting the best for them. My suggestion is to get everrybody on a fat and fiber type diet. all feed stores, or local co-ops will have complete feeds, which come in all different formulas containing different levels of protien, fat, and fiber. Now depending on what you do with your horses will depend on the best feed for them. If you have pasture pets that may go on a walking ride every now and then, and are used for pleasure, around the farm horses then you want them on a very low fat, high fiber, low protein feed. This will keep their energy down, digestive system moving, and on track, and keep excess weight from accumulating around their mid-sections. If you have very hot blood horses (arabians, thoroughbreds, saddlebreds, etc.) you want them on a high fat, highe fiber, very very low protien feed. These horses usually have a difficult time keeping weight on because they burn so much energy being silly, so they need the fat content, the fiber to keep their digestive systems on track, and the low protien (less thn 10%) to keep them calmer, and more manageable. Protien=energy. Very young horses usually need high fat, mid level protien (about 12% or so) to give them the energy they need to grow and develope. Older (senior horss,15 years +) do best on high fat and high fiber diets. Forage is very important, and so I recommend to everybody that hey give beet pulp with their grain. Allow the beet pulp to soak for several hours to expand to its full potential, and you an you can always supplement each horse with whatever it needs. But to give you detailed supplement suggestions I would have to know specifics on each horse. But Farnam is a very good supplement producer, all of their products are excellent, and if you are interested in herbal supplements, I can give you the name of a fabulous lady who has been in the business for many many years, and she can tell you exactly what everybody in the barn should get! (especially that cusunoid horse.)
With hay, you ant to stay away from alot of alfalfa because it has alot of sugars, and protien in it. Alfalfa mixes are good, but straight alfalfa tends to blow horses up real fat real fast, and make them crazy with energy. Orchard grass mixes, and timothy (provided there are no allergy problems) are the best choices for any horse.
I hope I have helped, please let me know if I can answer any other questions.
