I also have a Percheron mare that needs to lose 200-300lbs and get to work. She is now exercising and I have been giving her 2lbs per day Safe & Easy with Hay. What would help her get nutrition and no sugars until I get the weight off her? I do have some Gro N Win on hand.

Thank you!

A:  It sounds like you are looking to add some calories to your pony, without any added starch and sugar.  One option would be to stick with the Safe N Easy but add a fat supplement, such as Ultimate Finish 40, to his ration.  The Ultimate Finish 40 is very palatable and might be just what he needs to enhance the taste.  The other option would be to switch to Gro N Win and Ultimate Finish.  Gro N Win is very low in starch and sugar with a low inclusion rate.  Gro N Win also has a tasty apple flavor.  In combination with the Ultimate Finish, you would be able to tailor the calories to his needs more efficiently while still providing the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids he needs.

As for your Percheron mare, Gro N Win would be our suggestion for her as well.  The low calorie, low inclusion rate is just what she needs (along with low starch and sugar) to help get rid of that excess weight.  Gro N Win has been researched in weight loss trials with great results! (If you would like more information regarding this study, please call 800-898-WINS)

Often times, if our horses start to gain weight, our first line of defense is to cut back on the grain ration.  We forget that each feed is formulated to not only provide a set amount of calories, but also vitamins and minerals.  When we decrease our feeding rates below the recommended levels, we are short-changing the horse of essential nutrients at the same time.  We may be able to cut calories by decreasing the amount, but the horse will not be getting the nutrition they need, which can lead to other health issues.  The better solution is to find a lower calorie feed and feed the recommended levels.  This will ensure proper amounts of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and still allow the horse to safely lose weight with a proper exercise regimen.

 A:  Great question Cindy! Our competition line of feeds run from lowest to highest in terms of energy starting at the lowest with Show, and ending with the highest energy in Endurance 101. If you feel that the Cadence is too much for them right now, we would suggest Show, especially with the quality pasture it sounds like you have right now. Training is 14% protein and still fairly moderate in energy compared to Cadence. The formulas are fairly similar in having the same vitamin and mineral qualities but made to better tailor your horse's diet to the energy he needs. If you have any more questions about these feeds, please feel free to contact our Nutrition Help-Line at 800-898-WINS.

I have a 6-Year-Old Quarter Horse mare we just started on barrels but she seems to get stressed when we haul her to the shows.  I am afraid that with the added stress and work she is doing, she may start to lose weight.  I've been reading a lot about probiotics and thought about putting her on a supplement but would EQ8 be a better solution?

 Thanks,

Kara from Illinois

A:

Yes!  EQ8™ Gut Health is designed to work with your horse's digestive system to provide added prebiotic and probiotic protection against the risks of digestive upset.  Also, the increased digestibility of the feed, high quality chelated minerals, and added fat and fiber will help her get the most out of her daily ration while minimizing the actual amount of grain fed per day.  The reduced starch and sugar levels will definitely help with any nervousness or excitability when it comes to her performance as well.

One question people often have is how to determine if a horse is "old." At what point does a horse move from being "mature" to being a "senior"? The answer to this question really depends on the individual horse. While most people consider 20 to be the start of old age in horses, there is no real age when a horse can automatically be considered chronologically old. The most effective way of establishing old age in horses is to watch for certain physical signs. Chronically low body condition, loss of muscle over the topline leading to a sway-backed appearance, graying of the coat, and hollowing out of the grooves above the eyes are all symptoms of old age.

There are four primary characteristics of senior horses that can affect their overall nutritional outlook. The first is deteriorating dental health. This is very common in the senior horse and effects their consumption of hay - the most important part of any horse's diet. Senior horses with bad teeth will simply not be able to chew and process long-stem forage; so alternative fiber sources must be provided in their diets. The second characteristic of senior horses is decreased digestive efficiency. Older horses have nutritional requirements similar to those of a long yearling because they simply cannot metabolize nutrients as easily as they did when they were younger. The third characteristic is a changing metabolism. This means that some older horses may develop problems in maintaining weight and become "easy keepers", while some may develop problems in holding their weight and become "hard keepers." The final characteristic we see in older horses today is arthritis. Arthritis actually has a huge impact on nutrition, as it causes both pain and stress, which can cause an older horse to begin losing weight or go off of feed completely. Also, in group-feeding situations, older, arthritic horses may not be able to fend off other horses to eat their feed.

When feeding senior horses, it is a good idea to use a commercial grain mix specially formulated for these older horses. These types of grain mixes are designed specifically for the needs of senior horses, so the protein, and vitamins and minerals in the mix are adequate for a senior horse's higher needs, and are correctly balanced to fit his nutrient requirements. When shopping for a senior feed, look for a high amount of fiber in the grain to compensate for any loss in ability to process hay. Some senior feeds can even be fed as complete feeds - replacing hay altogether. Also, be sure to look for form in your senior feed. Pelleted feeds are best for those senior horses that have poor teeth, as pellets are easy to process and digest. And finally, be sure to look for a low starch and sugar level. Senior horses can become susceptible to many metabolic disorders due to high starch and sugar levels, including Cushing's disease and insulin resistance. By choosing a senior feed that is low in starch and sugar, you can reduce the risk that your senior horse will develop one of these diseases.