Horse is on senior feed, but he is not a senior after all!

[Scarlett 001]

A few feeding questions. First of all. I bought Skeeter with no papers and it was thought he was about 19 years old. I just got his papers after owning him 2 months, and he turns out that he is 15 years old. Skeeter was thin when I got him, but is doing well and getting closer to a good weight.

Based on his original age, he was put on a diet of hay, with a once-a-day supplement of senior feed (Masterfeeds "Golden Years" - one scoop - kind of a coffee can size), beet pulp and oil. The stables provided the beet pulp at no charge. This diet seems to be working well for him. He has gained weight nicely, and I have been pleased.


First question:
Since Skeeter turns out to be 15 years and not 19 years, should I switch him off the Golden Years to a feed designed for non-senior horses? Masterfeeds has several that would do the job nicely. I have a couple of bags of Golden Years left, but I could gradually transition over. I can talk to the Masterfeeds people. Technically, Masterfeeds states that Golden Years is designed for horses 18+ years.

Second question:
I am changing stables this weekend. Despite the great horse care at my previous stables, the training offered was not what I wanted and the style of training was problematic to me. Beet pulp is not offered at the current place, and I am unsure if they would go to the effort of soaking it etc. without a charge. If possible, should I keep Skeets on the beet pulp do you think, or just increase the amount of hay or complete feed (I will keep supplementing oil into his meals for the extra calories)? If I were only feeding complete feed (and oil), how many scoops (coffee can size) of complete feed would you give per feeding (2 feeds per day)?

[alliecatalex]

Dont have answers to all your questions, but since he really isent a senior horse, I would probably gradually switch him over to another feed-just keep the transition going until your out of your senior feed. Senior feed is high in calories so it does help keep the weight on, so if he for some reason starts loosing weight you could just give him some weight gainer supplement, or add a bit more oil. If you stop feeding beet pulp when you switch barns, maybe you should up his grain to a scoop in the morning and evening (so 2 scoops a day) I would just watch his weight and see what works best for him.

[Casey76]

Scarlett... I'm afraid I have no idea about the feed situation (I'm having to learn all about this myelf just now - but I have the opposite problem in that Pinto is a fattie :rolleyes: )

But I just wanted to say, I'm so sorry you are having to move barns again, as I know you were so pleased and impressed with the level of care Skeeter was getting. It's such a pity that the training isn't working out for you :(

[galadriel]

Senior feed has some qualities that make it a good feed for many horses, not necessarily just seniors. I've known it to be used for underweight horses, horses who may have digestive issues, horses who may have teeth issues, and I know of several people who have ALL their horses (including young & adult) on senior feed. If he is doing well on it, may just want to continue it.

You can actually feed beet pulp without soaking it, buit I wouldn't say that it's necessarily something you've got to have in Skeet's diet. If I were taking my horses off beet pulp, I wouldn't worry :) I'd just up the hay a bit.

[Esther.D]

I was going to say the same as Galadriel - if he is doing well on the senior feed leave him on it :)

[jovi_y2k2]

feeding can be complicated with some horses, i still havent really found the ideal diet for star to keep the weight on him without sending him loopy, so if this diet works for Skeeter then there is no reason really to go changing it if he is happy

[Scarlett 001]

Casey76: After the first bad boarding stables that nearly starved horses and had empty water tubs, I was soooo focused on feeding that I mainly focused on that when I chose this new place - did not look into training enough. And the horse care and facilities get an A+ ranking. In that sense, Skeet's health was in good hands. But the trainer turned out to use much more harsh training methods than I want being used on my horse or me, plus she wanted complete control over all decisions about the horse. I want a different kind of relationship with my horse and with my trainer. I became increasingly uncomfortable, and without going into details the situation became impossible. I realized that not only would his feeding and care program influence his health and well being, but so would whatever training he gets.


Re feeding:

One thing I noticed is that the complete feeds vary from 12% to 16% protein for this company. The senior feed is about 16% protein I think. Is there such a thing as a horse getting too much protein and what would it do?

I think I will keep him on the senior feed with oil. Perhaps give him 2x per day: one scoop senior feed with 1/4 cup oil. And I'll make sure he has plenty of hay.

[NoviceNic]

I wouldn't worry about the feed too much. Especially if its working. I had a horse who the yard thought she was in her 20's. They put her on veteran and it really did wonders with her weight. But she was actually only 12 in the end. :rolleyes:

[Scarlett 001]

Actually I talked to barn manager, and we will keep Skeet on beet pulp since his current feeding regime is working so well. So off to go buy a bag of beet pulp later today!