Q: Hi, I have two horses: one is an 11-year-old Thoroughbred and the other is a 13-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse. I no longer have large lush pastures. My horses are in very light work but have lost a significant amount of weight. I started adding grain to their diet three months ago. One month ago, I switched to CADENCE™ on the recommendation of a friend. They are still thin but not worked much. I feed hay but it is not the quality I would like. Should I switch to CADENCE Ultra, or add some ULTIMATE FINISH™ instead? What about adding beet pulp?
A: I would suggest trying the CADENCE™ Ultra before adding other supplements. CADENCE™ Ultra is a step up from CADENCE™ and will provide a little more calories. It already has the ULTIMATE FINISH™and beet pulp in the feed. If you have the opportunity to find better hay in the future, that would definitely help as hay is the foundation of the diet. However, this time of year can be difficult to find quality hay.
Q: Hello, I just purchased a Tennessee Walking Horse mare that is 3 1/2 year old. She will be ridden 5 times week to train for shows. She could use more weight. She is 15 hands now and should continue to grow until she reaches 16 hands. Based on these factors, what type of feed would you suggest I feed her?
A: We have a couple options that might work for your mare's nutritional program. EQ8™ Gut Health or CADENCE™ Ultra are two feeds that are high in fat to give your horse the calories she needs to maintain weight while working in a low starch and sugar formula. We also have a line of fat supplements, ULTIMATE FINISH™ 25, ULTIMATE FINISH™ 40 and ULTIMATE FINISH™ 100, that may be used in conjunction with grain mixes to increase calories for weight gain or increased body condition and to help enhance skin and coat condition.
Q: Hello, I am looking to switch to BUCKEYE™ as I have only read and heard wonderful things. I have a 6-year-old performance gelding who is having trouble keeping weight on especially his topline. I also have a 12-year-old mare who's now a fairly easy keeper but has signs of navicular due to conformation. And my third horse is a 5-year-old gelding who eats quite a bit but maintains well. I'd like to limit myself to one or possibly two grains in the barn so I'm not feeding all over the map.
A: CADENCE™ Ultra would be a great product for your 6-year-old performance gelding. It is 14% protein and 14% fat to help with his weight and topline. GRO 'N WIN™ alone would work for your easy keeper as it is low calorie but supplies the essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids your mare needs. You do not need to feed GRO 'N WIN™ with a product already fortified with GRO 'N WIN™ in most circumstances. If you are feeding below the recommended feeding rate listed on the back of the bag, then our nutritionists can help you decide if you need to add any GRO 'N WIN™ to your horse's diet.