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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
I think increasing your hay is about all you need to do.
Just FYI, because I don't know if you have seen my past posts on this. Depending on what you have to pay for your hay, and it's quality, there is an alternative, that IMO, takes all the guess work out of getting the hay/grain ratio correct.
I feed complete pellets. Horse Chow 100 by Purina. I feed NO hay. the hay/roughage that is so important to the horses digestive system is in the pellets at the correct ratio of gain to hay.
You feed according to weight and usage of horse to weight of grain.
IOW's, for instance for a normal usage 1000 lb horse gets 1 1/2 lbs of feed per 100 lb. of horse. So that would be 15 lbs. a day. You can/should divide this up into at least 2 feedings a day, 7 1/2 each time, but dividing it into 3 feedings is even better. That is what I do. When I had a lactating mare I did increase her feed to 2 lbs per 100 lbs of body weight, and the foal got the amount she needed in a foal feeder, and her amount was increased always to include the NEXT 100 lbs of weight she was GOING to gain as she grew. She didn't necessarily eat it all, all the time, but it was there.
A 3 lb coffe can of these pellets weigh 4 lbs. All my horses are average size so they all get 1 1/4 cans 3 X's a day.
I buy the stuff weekly, so it is always fresh, I don't have to haul/store hay, and for us here, the price is about the same if I bought hay and grain.
Just something you might want to think about. I've feed my horses now for about 10 years this way, and have had no problems.
Becky
Good morning everyone,
Don't give your mare any grain today and watch her closely. Also watch the foal for diarreha. Do you have any bran? If so, tomorrow morning feed her a bran mash. Bran, plus hot water, enough so that it's the consistancy of oatmeal and if you have it, some molasses mixed in. Check her hoofs to see if there is any heat at all in them.
Did you have a vet out after she foaled? If not, this is a good time to do it. He can check both her and the foal, give them any immunizations that they might need and check on her weight loss.
If she shows any discomfort at all, please call a vet right away.
I agree on this! Good morning!
Good morning :)
I guess because I'm a real worrywart, none of my mares and babies go without a vet looking at them shortly after foaling. If there is any problem at foaling he comes immediately, if not then his next scheduled trip out my way. He comes that direction once a week so they are seen within a week tops.
Yes, I would have had a vet out the next day (or two) as a matter of course also. And I am the real worrywart ;~D
We feed 2-3 times per day. I had been giving 2 scoops in the morning, a scoop mixed with a scoop of oats at noon, and another scoop around 4pm. We've cut out the oats, and are just giving her 2 scoops in the morning, another at noon, and another 1-2 scoops at 4.
I need to weigh the scoop of feed to see just what she's getting.
As for the vet, she's been doing fine so we've waited thinking Sugar would oblige soon, and we could make one visit for both.
We've been watching her all morning, and she's doing much better now. I think she'll be o.k. Thanks for all the help.
I just got off the phone to Celia. She's got a list of illegal drugs (that sounds funny:) at home.
Natrc also has a yahoo group:
NATRC4 at (should be the at sign but if I put that in it makes a link to my e-mail site) yahoogroups.com
They do alot of chattering on there according to Celia, I don't know how to make a link, or how to navigate around. She says there is alot of talk now about drugs, so it would be a good time to ask there.
Becky
That's great, glad to hear it.
Becky
I'm glad to hear she sounds fine. Please keep us posted on how they are doing.
Well to be perfectly honest, I don't call a vet after my mares foal. I consider my self a worrier, but I don't worry till something IS wrong. I check the placenta my self, according to what I've read, anyone can tell if it's not all there. I do watch close for ANY sign of a problem, and would call a vet immediatly. I have real problems trusting vets/doctors. I trust my own instincts, and I KNOW my horses.
Becky
I agree with you. We don't know all we need to about horses, but we can usually tell if something doesn't look right. I'm the same way with my kids, for that matter. We use common sense, and go to the doctor when we feel we need to.
Sharn just came in from giving her more hay, and said she got her normal greeting from Misty. She's looking much better than she did first thing this morning. Thanks again for everyone's help.
I might get that way after having a few of my own. I've only attended and been there for a couple. For now, there's just care issues I might not know and lots of questions! And I'm a worrier. ;~D
And my vet's cute ;~D
FYI:)
To join NATRC:
Family membership is $35.00
Single Adult membership is $30.00
per year.
Membership gets you: rule book, membership card, club patch, ride schedule, newsletter, eligibility to competeof NATRC annual high score awards, and championships, rider and horse mileage awards, and reduced ride entry fees.
The bi-monthy magazine they send to members "Hoof Print" is a really interesting magazine. Lots of articles and the placings of all the rides in all the regions.
NATRC: mailing address is Natrc, P.O. Box 2136, Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557.
There is a phone # but it may be out of date. 505-751-4198
Becky
This is Sharn,
I checked mistys placenta after birthing. Thats something that i know how to do and also know the importance of it. Being used to birthing lambs you have to check them well because often there is a problem.
Misty just gave me her noisy grinning hello and it made my heart warm. She just wasnt herself this morning. Like you said, she probably had slight colic and was getting over it. I dont know......but she looks 100% better than she did.
I shll keep a close eye amd call the vet if things go downhill. We planned to get the vet in after Sugar foaled too, but as yet she is holding out.
I cant thank you all enough, we have learnt a lot today that will help us hugely if this happens again.
Well that would be something to consider calling or not calling:)
My current vet is female:(
Becky
Good news that she's better... Might have just been some bad gas this time, you just never know till it's over. :~D
I sitting here rather dejected:)
The weather is not cooperating. It's not cold, but the sun is not shining at all. I stayed home to ride, and will, but I would have enjoyed the sun.
They also changed the forecast, and we're NOT going to get the three days of 60's and sun.
I hate winter.
Becky
You just need a pep-talk from Duchess.... she loves it!
If she calls you back on it, let me know! I'll check out the yahoo group.
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