Tag Archives: feeding horse

Natasha asks about selenium for her horses…

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From:
Natasha

Message:
Hello Dr. Dan
I live in a selenium deficient area of the country.  All my hay is
local and my horses graze on selenuim deficient grasses.  My horses
are already on your Red Cal and Bug Check.  Its truely great stuff!!
One of my horses is recovering from EPM and has some muscle wasting.
My vet recommended supplementing all my horses with Vit E and
Selenium.  I have heard of horses in my area with muscle issues due to
selenium deficiencies.  What is the best way to add selenium in a
Natural Healthy way?  They do get a hand full of grain with cocosoy
oil and your bug check only 1x a day. And of course free choice red
cal.    Thank you for all your great advice.

Hello Natasha, Great News— you are already providing selenium when you provide Red Cal and Bug Check, and you should be pleased to know that it's not junk selenium, but rather high-quality organic selenium that they can't get too much of!

As far as supplementing Vitamin E (and much more)— you can cover that with the "Just Add Oats", that while I use and suggest oats, it will make any grain mix complete. Then, if I may suggest our high-quality gmo-free Weight Check Oil you are getting close to being on board 100% with my feeding program! :-)

Again as far as our organic selenium, I use it in all the products and again you can't get too much of it.

Thanks for asking and for your support Natasha

TheNaturalVet.net
FeedForSuccess.com

Susan asks an “oats” question for her horse…

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asked via Facebook.com/TheNaturalVet

Hi,

I wrote in recently about switching my horse over to your program once my program supply runs low.  However, I just read some facts about it not being good to put wheat bran into your horses diet.  I have been doing that for 4 years.  I currently feed one cup of crimped oats, 2 scoops (1cup) of wheat bran, 2 scoops of Cos_ _ _ _ _ n, and 2 scoops of A_ _ _ _ _ vitamin supplement.  I still have about 3 months left on all of these.  Would you recommend that I drop the wheat bran now, add the Red Cal (throw away his mineral block, lol) and add the weight check now?  I will be moving my horse home in a couple of weeks to my new facility so I don't want to change to much all at once.  However, I  have also been told that I should put him on Fast Trak for awhile until he adjusts to his new home, but I was thinking the Weight Check might help with the digestive system?   He is a sissy Thoroughbred even though he is 17 hands tall!.  He is a Hunter/Dressage horse and gets worked regularly.  Any advice?

Thanks,
Susan

With him already getting oats Susan, switching should be easy .. even switching "coldturkey" has not ever been an issue..I would just take a few days and switch. You can add a little of all you have so as to use the old "stuff" up with no issues, but go ahead and switch now.

I do ask that you consider our Joint Check instead of Cos_ _ _ _ _ n and of course our Gut Check is awesome, as well (verses) the fastrack probitoics but that really isn't needed generally as the probiotics from the program should be sufficient.- again unless the more "targeted support is desired or ever needed.

Thanks for asking. Keep me posted Susan.

Dr. Dan

Tom asks about ulcers/colic challenges with TW horse…

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Dr. Dan,
 
I bought a 3 year old TWH a couple weeks ago.  He started colicking last week.  After two days, the oil would go right thru him so they said it was ulcers, not gut.  I opt NOT to use that expensive drug, so the pills and liquid they put him on has really helped him.  They say he must continue ulcer meds for some time – so my question is:  1) Is there natural meds for ulcers (what do you Rx)?   2) Do you have a natural product?
 
Thanks,
 
Tom
Hi Tom,

First-the foundation I suggest and depend on personally, is our feeding "program'.
If you haven't had the opportunity to review the link is below. It will lead
you to lots of info- companion articles,audios and videos. This is the program
that thousands have gotten on board with through the years. it is going to
help your current challenges.

You're going to need to get the junk out of the system (and keep out)—
our support supplements Health Check and Gut Check are highly
recommended and even our Aller Check would beneficial.

The sooner you can get off the meds/drugs the better— me personally would
be starting to wean off now.

Let me do this… I have posted other questions/answers that address
your same challenges. There's a few of many testimonials posted
within these postings as well. I think you will gain a lot from reading
these conversations with others.

Here are the links and search results:
(if there is more than one page- there is an "older posts" link at the bottom of each)

http://askdrdan.com/?s=ulcers&submit=Search

http://askdrdan.com/?s=colic&submit=Search

I hope this helps in the decisions you need to make. Please keep me posted and
thanks for asking and considering our products and recommendations.
Dr. Dan

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine: http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

Sara asks about supplementing/feeding her mare with allergies…

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Hello Dr. Moore~ I have a 9yr old appy PMU mare that has suffered from severe allergies for the past 3 years. at one point they were even life threating. Per the vet. she in now on a complete grain only, yet still suffers daily. She suffers from hives from head to hoof and is itchy to the point she rubs herself raw, ithcy watery eyes..after reading your articles on allergies and feeding oats with supplements I will be changing her to oats and putting her back on hay, but I'm not sure what supplements to use..  bugcheck, red cal and omega coat are on my list. but would you suggest anything else..

Sara

Thanks so much for taking the time for your horse to explore the info on on our sites- you are on the right track.

Just follow the program to a "T" at FeedForSuccess.com  being sure to not only include the Just Add Oats supplement and Weight Check Oil, but being sure to provide RED CAL free-choice all they want all the time. And be sure to remove and salt/mineral blocks and rocks from premises.

Your horse will be well served in having Bug Check provided… keep in mind that it is much more than just a 'bug" product and I recommend it be provided year-round regardless—- its just so economical and full of goodness- really no reason not too.

Now along with this you may probably should add Health Check to help support detoxing all past "junk" in the system.  The Aller Check would also support the immune system— all to help the body discharge the junk from its system.

Thanks again so much- appreciate your support and having you on board Sara.

Dr.Dan


Toll free office: 877-873-8838
www.NaturalHorseVet.com
Don't forget our Pet & People products too!

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Vet Blog,Search for answers:
http://www.AskDrDan.com

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine:
http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse?
http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library:
http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net:
http://TheNaturalVet.net

Amy asks this question for her older, skinny, rescued horse…

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I am looking for suggestions on what would be best for my “old guy”.  He is 27+ yrs old.  I rescued him 10 months ago just days before he would have starved to death.  He was covered with rain rot too.  We are trying to put weight on him, he is doing much better conditioning wise although he is still way underweight.  To add to it, he was recently kicked (once or twice) in the shoulder and is not weight bearing on it right now.  He also battles hoof issues/abscesses.  I am currently feeding him Purina Sr feed and soaked beet pulp shreds.  For his swollen shoulder he is getting banamine, rubbed down with ThermaFlex and I just bought him some boswellia for the swelling.

Hello Amy.

First let me commend you for taking this horse in. I do hope he gets better.

My feeding program that you can see more about at:
http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com  is not only the foundation to build
upon for success but is always my first suggestion.

I prefer Oats and supplement with our Just Add Oats (vitamins,minerals,probiotics)— then our RED CAL fed free-choice salt mineral product—NO Blocks or Rocks- not at all! The third component is our "Weight Check" Oil that works to either put weight on or take off- whichever is needed. The oil is GMO-Free and is the actual oil of the soybean and verified by me to be GMO-FREE.

If you look at the above site you will see that I never recommend any commercial feed.

I also do not like Beet Pulp at all- sucks the nutrition right out of the gut.
Within these posts you will see info and an article on "Why Not To Feed Beet Pulp"
http://askdrdan.com/?s=beet+pulp

So many issues and even those with hooves in my opinion should be addressed working
from the inside-out to get rid of and keep junk out of the body— beginning
with proper nutrition as outlined above and good supplementation. Our Joint Check
product is a great product as it really is more than just a "joint-type" product as it contains
the antioxidants (just as in our Health Check) needed to help support this cleansing.
It's a combo product that i highly recommend for an older horse. I of course also offer
a Hoof Check product to use to gain control of hoof issues if needed.

Boswellia is a fine ingredient to add support with and another homeopathic ingredient
that may help in that same regard is Arnica Montana.

Many older horses have done better with the above suggestions. Doing a search on
my archived question/answer site I have found some posts from other owners
with older horses and some that have shared their results as well. You can see them
here: http://askdrdan.com/?s=older

I do hope this information helps you on the decisions you need to make for your horse.

I appreciate you asking and giving me the opportunity to share. Please keep me
posted.

 

 

Judy with some feeding questions for her horses…

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Hi Dan: 

I have a couple of questions for you. Jim brought me your CD from the Ohio Equine Extravaganza and that might have answered these questions, but I can’t find it! It is awful getting old!  Anyway, sorry to bother you with something I might could have researched for myself, but I need your help.

I have two horses with the same problem, but not for the same reasons. They both need to gain weight. One is four years old and one is three years old.

First, the four year old. He is at Amy and Jason Stefanic’s for training and showing. He is being shown in the trail pleasure classes and is doing very well. He is a stud, but we have never let him breed. He is being fed a grain that Amy is having made in Kentucky, which seems to be equivalent to __________, which is what I feed.

He is super hyper. If he were a young boy, I would diagnose him as having ADHD and needing Ritalin. I believe that is why we cannot put weight on him. He is never still or calm except when he is being ridden. I have had bloodwork and a fecal exam done on him and he is in superior health, according to the guidelines they follow. I do not want to put him on a “calming” drug.

I would like to know if there is anything that might help him calm down naturally in order for him to gain some weight. One of the vets  said that he may have a “higher than normal” testosterone level, causing him to be so active. His coat is beautiful and his ribs aren’t showing, but we just can’t get him to gain any weight.

The second horse is a three year old who is extremely calm and going through what I call “the teenage years”. His sire is Remington East, whose offspring seem to go through this phase during their second or third year. He is also very healthy – ribs are not showing, but I cannot put any weight on him. He is being fed ___________ and I am also giving him a small amount of beet shreds, soaked in water. He has gained some weight since I started the beet shreds, but I am not giving him too much of those, since I want to be careful about feeding him too much.

I believe his problem is just a “growing” one, but I would like for him to put on a little weight without my having to overfeed him.

Any and all suggestions will be most appreciated.

Sincerely, Judy M.

Good to hear from you Judy!

First,  I would get rid of the beet pulp … it just "sucks" nutrition right out. There is an article on our website
About it in the library section of our website.

Second, I really hate commercial feed of any kind and especially the one you mentioned. Personally i lost a whole show season as a result of that product and given according to how they suggested to the "t". They weighed each horse prior and they went south fast when fed. Lost weight etc etc. 

Anyway, please go to www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com. I would follow the advise I have there to the "t" or at least as close as possible.  Pay particular attention to our Weight Check Oil.  Both of these horses should get more than maintenance (2 oz daily). You can give up to 8 oz daily. They will gain with it alone at the higher levels. They will not at maintenance level. 

Finally I would suggest our Bug Check. Many actually use it for calming.  I have actually gotten a number of children off ritalin with some of the ingredients therein so its funny you mentioned such.  Enjoy the articles, videos, cds etc. on the site. 

Thanks For Asking!

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

 

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

 

 

 

 

Nancy asks questions about stallion’s “puzzling” symptoms…

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"lso", my 33-year-old stallion has many symptoms that are puzzling. I've had several vets out over the past six years who don't know how to advise me.

My horse has waxy dandruff on his body and especially on his legs, heavy dandruff in his tail which he rubs, no parasites, some sores with scabs on his body, a dull coat and some longer straight hair on his neck and sides of body that still hasn't shed out yet (most hair is out, however). He also goes for the short grass or weeds and roots and proceeds to eat dirt just after I take him outside. He is in a beautiful barn and workers say they turn him out in the arena daily 1 – 2 hours (no turnout outside unless we do it ourselves 2-3 times a week) so he gets very limited grass. I believe he may stand in his stall more than I'd like to think. As of last year his eyes started to cloud in the center, and his topline is going. He has arthritis in his back legs I think (or perhaps its more like laminitis) and stocks up often in the winter, drinks more than usual amount of water and has seemed depressed and lethargic.

Could most of these symptoms be due to a processed food diet with no extra minerals or salt? I was told by the feed company this was all "complete" feed and even hay wasn't necessary. He gingerly puts his back feet down when he walks. He also has a bit of a crest, but is not overweight and in order to keep his weight on he gets too much grain. A few vets have said he probably has allergies, heaves, and/or Cushings. I'm wondering if his adrenals are just worn out because of lack of turnout, and the last vet advised Drenamin (3per day) which I'm trying and has seemed to pep him up a bit, more vitamins and minerals, etc. Would it help to have him tested for insulin and cushings or assume he has them? If so, how accurate are the tests? Otherwise, I could skip the tests and assume he has all the above problems and treat with properly balanced nutrition from you but would truly like to know what you have included.

Currently, I feed Tribute Senior which doesn't agree with him and the 12 pounds (4 lbs. 3X day) was causing loose stool. Until I know what to him to I added 6 lbs. of beet pulp not knowing what else to do. He gets 10 lbs of grassy hay, but may not eat more than 3 because he has trouble chewing and no back teeth that touch. The barn feeds sweet feed which they were mixing about half and half before I recently switched. Eleanor Kellon, DVM, renowned Cushings specialist says to feed only hay cubes for Cushings horses as well as vitamins and minerals. Absolutely no oats. Says they can cause founder. I don't want to lose my horse.

To complicate matters, I have to move him in a month and am afraid all the change will put him over the edge. I don't know what to do about feeding grass either. Please help asap.

Thank you kindly, Nancy A.

Hello Nancy- great to hear from you!

There is no complete feed. Tests may tell you somethings but do nothing to fix..Beet pulp is  terrible and cubes won't fix anything alone. Regardless we have to get rid of the junk in the system, not put more back in and support the immune system. If anything will help what I suggest below will …nothing is 100 percent though but many many horses have done great…regardless of causes present, I suspect yours will benefit too. So…

Follow our Feeding program (http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com) to the "t" and include our Joint Check and Aller Check supplements for additional support. Stop all other supplements and feed.  Cubes are "OK", but they too often have hydrogenated fats as binders etc. Regular hay is fine. Topically on the skin you can use our "ugly and smelly" Grape Balm product.

Hope this helps better and Thanks for asking!

Dr. Dan

Check out these helpful links:

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine: http://www.DrDanMag.com

Jackie with question about feeding program cost…

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If it's around $2 a day that would be around $60 a month, right?

That is correct for the Feed For Success supplement combination of RED CAL, Weight Check Oil and the Just Add Oats product. Maybe just a little more based on what size packs you may purchase (also not including the actual feed). Also note that at first they may feed free-choice on more RED CAL at first until they get what they need to get themselves "in balance". They will only eat what they need- they know!

Thanks for asking Jackie!

Reference: WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Tina asks a question in regards to 17 year old gelding and his stool…

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I have a 17 yr old gelding that pushes out liquid before he poops. He has formed nuttles, but the watery stuff runs down his butt and legs. It requires washing to clean him. I feed him Legends 11 pellets with Joint Combo hoof and coat, BL pellets and Opt e Horse. I also have a 15 yr old mare that receives the same feed and supplements except the BL pellets. I feed timothy hay.

 

Any suggestions on what to try to straighten him out?

Tina B.

Oh yea, change his feed!  Follow the info/advise at www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com to the 'T" and add our Gut Check supplement for support. I see tons of these situations. He won't need the other supplements and you will even save money overall not to mention help the problem. also..Check out www.askdrdan.com
 
If anything will help the above will as it has for many!!
 
Thanks for asking!

Wendy asked about Lysine…

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Hi Dr. Dan,  

I just ordered your vitamin/mineral Just Add Oats. On the analysis it does not list lysine. I have been told that it is important for the amino acid. I would like more information on this please.

Thank You,

Wendy

Lysine is especially important if one were feeding corn.  It is not in our JUST Add Oats product but is in our "for added support" products like Hoof Check, Joint Check, Health Check etc. In fact, our Hoof Check probably has the highest content in the market.

Thanks so much for asking

 

 

Mary Rose is entering endurance riding- has questions…

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Dear Dr.Dan, I am starting to race my rocky mountain 5 years old mare in endurance racing.

I already feed "Just Add Oats" and "H2o oil", and will buy "Red Cal" after reading your article about it. My question: I don't know how much oats to feed (she is small..14.2 if 15 hands and small built frame ) and if i need anything else since we will be working daily 3 hours between walking/and a 7-8 mile trot?

I will compete with her in 25 miles/50 miles and our goal 100miles!!

Also, at racing I see people giving their horses a "wet mush" at vet checks, what should i give at this time?

Thanks you so much for your time, I have asked so many people but they say the direct opposite of what I know believe because of you!

Mary Rose

The oats are awesome. Start with the same amount of whatever you are feeding now. (of course gradually switch to the oats) You will love the Oil too. this is much much better for endurance. Use the Weight Check Oil  though. It is so much better than the H2OIl that we discontinued the H2oil even and really same price even.

Keep the RED Cal available at all times. Even in the trailer coming and going. Carry a baggy with you on the trail of Red Cal. for the electrolyte benefits of it. Mix a little oil with it if need be for the energy as well. sort of a paste like mix (if you need the extra energy from the oil.. which is the best more sustained energy than anything in my opinion)

keep me posted about your events!

Thank you so much!   I have used your Just Add Oats for two years plus the oil/  I will add the Red Cal.  FYI:  both of my horses had major problems with their feet (hooves)…after feeding your feed supplements both are now 100% strong and run w/o shoes now-barefoot trims.  Thank you for your products!  I hope to be strong in endurance racing!

Mary Rose

 

 

 

 

Krista with horse & donkey feeding questions…

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Hello Dr. Dan, I have a few questions for you in regards to your product and recommendations.

I currently feed Pennfields Fibergized Omega grain, but not the reccomended amounts of course, so supplementing  yet unsure of balance. That led me to your product, I prefer the idea of trying to have my horses be as close to what they would be in nature, so oats make sense!

However I also have 3 Mini Donkeys, do you reccomend your products for donkeys also?

Also my herd are all easy keepers, age ranges are 5 month donkey, 4 year old draft, up to a 16 year old pony, could I use the weight control omega oil for all of them? Currently I use canola oil for my drafts, an EPSM diet as reccomended by Dr. Beth Valentine, so I would assume that your oil would meet that requirement also?

Lastly one of my drafts is currently on antibiotics,I have him on power gest by Select, you offer a probiotic is that suggested for horses when on antibiotics?

Sorry for all the questions I just want to be sure of all factors before switching their feed program over.

Thank you for your help and time.

No problem, glad to help…
 
Our program will work for all of your horses and yes donkeys as well. Just gradually switch from the same volume of commercial feed now giving to oats. To those oats add the Just Add Oats and the Weight Check oil. I would use the Hi Mag version of RED CAL (free choice all they can eat at all times on this) at least until all are back to normal weight. I would highly suggest our Weight Check oil instead of canola.

I really really dislike canola for horses, pets, people, even guinea pigs. Truth is I hate it period! do a search and see for yourself on the many problems associated with it.

Our Gut Check is so much more than probiotics. It includes prebiotics as well as enzymes to really support  the gut as well.

Thanks For Asking!

 

Equine Senior feeding…

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I have a 20 yr old Quarter horse with a history of osteoarthritis but can still do light trail riding.

I currently have him on joint check and the Oil and add one scoop on red cal mix with Equine senior daily (the scoop is the size of the scoop that comes with the joint check product) was considering using the Just add oat…..what do you think and do I add this to the Equine Senior daily?

Thanks for your input,
Cathy C.

My suggestion is to switch to the same volume of oats that u are now giving of senior. Add the just Add oats and also make the Red Cal available free choice too.

That is all he needs.