iwuuvhorses
01-04-2003, 06:32 AM
Currently my horse is at a boarding facility where he is fed 70% Alfalfa / 30% Oat pellets twice daily. I just had a discussion with my veterinarian and he advises that horses really need some hay in their diet to keep GI motility going, among other reasons. What I am getting at is should I try and get these ranch owners to feed some hay as well or am I over stressing this? Would it be good to cut down morning and evening feedings of pellets and have him get hay for lunch? I am basically looking for input. I believe my Veterinarian is right, but I am not sure how to bring it up to the ranch owners. Maybe someone who reads this will have some links I can provide to them to show that feeding hay to horses is not an option and is required to keep an equine in good health. Also my friend who was at the same ranch I was at prior to moving (who feeds oat and alfalfa hay), also had her horses at the ranch I am at now boarding at (who feeds just pellets), then moved her horses back to the old ranch (who feeds oat and alfalfa hay) two days ago, and last night her mare had an impaction colic. Could this possibly have been caused by, one; moving her horse around a lot within the past 3 months and, two; switching her food with out a gradual decrease in pellets and increase in hay. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Have a great day.