Tag Archives: hay

Shari asks about her horse that won’t eat hay

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I have an older horse that won't eat hay.  I had his teeth floated in late August but still can't eat hay.  He chews on it then spits it out.  

Can I take a bale of hay and chop it up a little.  I know it can't be silage he does eat alfalfa cubes just fine.  I have been feeding him senior feed twice a day and alfalfa pellets 3 times a day.  I live in PA and snow is on the ground so he isn't getting any grass.  

Is this enough feeding for him to get him through the winter?

It may be but every horses metabolism is different. I would highly suggest getting him some fat. Our Weight Check Oil is ideal and a great source of fatty acids too. Some oats (if the teeth are really really bad- just add a little water to them to soften them) …oats are awesome, I suggest Oats for every horse instead of senior feed etc which is so full of very bad processed fats etc. See www.whattofeedyourhorse.com.

I highly suggest our Red Cal free choice at all he can eat and also consider the Joint check for his age etc.  Thanks for asking!

Connie asks about horse showing signs of IR/Cushings

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Dr. Dan… I recently discovered that my horse is showing signs of IR/Cushings.

I've gotten on the web and see so much conflicting information. I ordered your RedCal + Magnesium but wanted to know how much oats do you feed a IR/Cushing's horse? I'm reading that they should be pulled off grain but you're saying feed oats? She's on burmuda grass and getting ready for coastal hay to come in (low sugar type.

Your thoughts?
Connie C.

Please consider follow the advise at www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com to the "T". That would mean gradually switching to the same volume of oats that you are now feeding of grain. To the oats, add our Just Add Oats supplement and Weight Check oil.  Continue the Red Cal (hi-mag version).  If your horse has a cresty neck and really overweight, then add the Critical Care I/R formula. The later is pricey but there is nothing like it and fortunately only a tub or two is generally needed to take the crest away.

Oh yea, I really don't like bermuda or coastal hay. I don't care what anyone says ..orchard grass or timothy are better.  And don't worry about the sugar in hay. Its not that big a deal.

Enjoy your new horse and thanks for asking!

Dr. Dan

 

Carrie’s question about “hay fields”

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Hi Dr. Dan,  

We have 6 acres of fields that we use for hay.  We are new at making our own hay.  This year I seeded the field and then we fertilized it for the first time.  I am really intersted in your opinion about using fertilizer and am wondering if there any books that talk about making hay more naturally.  I know you talked about lime in one of your articles.  

Do you put that on every year and at what time in the year?  

Any info would be appreciated.  

Thank you,  Carrie D.
 

Yes lime and if you see weeds you need lime. Every area is different amount wise. I would check out our "Pasture Check" product as well.

There is an article about it in the magazine. Other than these lime and it..only natural sources of fertilizer such as manure, compost or perhaps some natural form of minerals quarried locally.  On the amount of lime and that availability of such I would suggest you just "ask around" since every area is different. I just feel like salt based fertilizers (10 10 10 or similar) are destroying our soils and environment. I also did a CD called "animals don't lie" that I think is the one has some info about such. It may be the one called "Uncivilized Health".

Use the links below to not only visit our website, but also for direct links to the Audios at DrDanLibrary.com and Magazine articles at DrDanMag.com

Thanks for asking

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

eOlder Horse…

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I'm on your online webinar right now, and some of the questions triggered this question. Can you tell me what you would feed an old horse that has bad/almost no teeth and can't chew oats? She just gums the hay, so I feed her mushed up commercial pellets (with joint check) and give her hay to help her feel like she's actually chewing something.   Anyway, any help would be great. thanx Tina

Our feeding program is great for all! (FeedForSuccess.com)

Oats!… and I would soak the oats overnight, (I prefer "whole") add our "Just Add Oats" supplement and then provide our Weight Check Oil along with our RED CAL (salt,minerals,electrolytes and more… and provide Free Choice!) and consider adding our Gut Check to help get more "goody"out of what he does eat. Also for additional support, our Joint Check supplement (joint support + potent antioxidants) is chosen by many!

Hay for such situations generally just won't be enough. 

Thanks for being on the call and for asking!