[HairOfTheDog]

Ooops - sent it too soon....

So with those amounts in mind, you think I should still switch to something like the strategy? Are they getting enough protein? Too much carbs? Other needs?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL...this is all so complicated:)

If I understand nutrition right, the amount you feed, isn’t really the problem, is the percentages of starch and sugar in the feed you feed...No matter how little you feed, if the percentages are off, you still get the high rise of insulin when they eat it, which is not good. Will possibly cause insulin resistance and obesity...works the same in humans.

I still believe, but it’s just an opinion:), that you’d be better off feeding strategy then adding supplements. Especially since you don’t know the nutritional value of the hay and pasture. If you trust the maker of the feed, then the assumption is, Strategy is “balanced” and balance is the key.

Becky

[FrogInABlender]

I don't think protein is much of an issue in a grown horse. I think 10 or 11% is about all they need, expecially ones that lead fairly inactive lives. From what I see in the charts, the Strategy would definately be better than the COB as far as carbs go. 25% vs 60% NSC. I think Duchess said that there were two different kinds of Strategy, one balanced for Alfalfa hay and the other balanced for Bermuda. So what they're doing is taking an average analysis of which ever kind of hay and adding the supplements accordingly. Your hay is probably closer to bermuda than to alfalfa so I'd go with that kind. Then just feed it at the recommended amount for the ideal weight of each horse.