Let The Bravest Answer- Wean to Grain

[*Candy*Horse*]

Okay hi everyone! Now not to scare you but this is a really important question and might become a bit confusing...

I want to wean my new horse Tucker off of Agway Bonanza Pellets to Grain. He normally gets 2 sccops on B. P. and so for one scoop I would do this:
1/4 grain and 3/4 B.P
after a week or so go to:
1/2 and 1/2
after a week or so go to-
3/4 grain and 1/4 B.P
I want to keep it like this until the bag I have to buy is empty and then switch it to one scoop of grain.Does this sound okay and safe? :eek: Hope your still with me! lol
Sincerely
Chrissy

[Showjumper]

Sounds OK to me, as long as you do the transition slowly and gradually, which it sounds as though you're planning to do anyway.

[Sharon H]

It is always best to introduce new feeds gradually so your plan sounds good to me. I've no idea what the feeds are that you mention though! The only thing that would worry me is if you're taking him off a 'complete' food and putting him on just one kind of grain. You may need to look at feeding a supplement of some kind to make sure he's getting everything he needs. Why are you changing?

[*Candy*Horse*]

I am changing because some people said to me it would be easier,m since I'd have to buy a bag or two from a place that is more than an hour away! I have no clue what bonanza pellets are either! I am going to be buying a bag today, so I'll call my vet for Tucker (my horse)and see what she thinks. I doubt that bonanza pellets are anything for "special" needs! So should I keep it a week each?
Chrissy

[Sharon H]

Sorry, I'm still confused! I thought you meant that you were changing from feeding pellets (Or nuts or cubes) which are generally a mixture of different tpes of things that horses need, to just feeding oats or barley or something like that. In the UK you can buy lots of different types of ready-mixed feeds, either in pelleted form or as a mixture and most people tend to feed this type of food because they are designed for specific types of horses and their workloads. Some people still feed individual types of grain or cereals but they are generally mixed to ensure that the horse is recieving a balanced diet. Are you saying that 'grain' is another kind of mixture?

[*Candy*Horse*]

Yes grain is defineltely a mixture. I have looked at Tucker's pellets yetn to see what they look like, but we may decide to keep him on it. Grain has a mixture of pellets, what looks like seeds, and some other things. It gives a horse energy but not too much, if given the right amount.
Chrissy

[Sharon H]

You should be ok to change over in the way you describe. If you have a look on the bags there should be an analysis of what they contain on them, ie. protein, fats carbohydrate etc. If they're fairly similar you should be fine.