geriatric horse feed

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a 24 yr. gelding QH who tyes up (like muscle spasms - lactic acid buildup) after riding which I usually resolve by walking alot for cooldown til he's feeling fine.  I was feeding Patriot Podium /finishing touch/sweet feed (commercial brands) and was told by nutritionist to switch to bran (powdered) mix with water and vitamin supplements...so I did but he lost weight (his ribs showed) yet his symptoms improved...but I need to find a natural feed that will keep his weight on all year and not cause these sugar imbalances.  Any suggestions?  He's on grass pasture too.

ANSWER: Hi Lori

Thanks for your question!

No wonder your poor horse lost weight, a bran diet on this scale is a HUGE no no for ANY horse.  Bran is relatively low in protein and is completely devoid of any vitamins and minerals.  In addition adding bran in the quantity of more than 10% of total feed will impede calcium absorbtion - something your older gent desperately needs.  Bran is moderately low in energy and starches hence the reduction in tying up, but is nowhere near a complete feed for any horse.

I'm from Australia so it's impossible for me to suggest a brand name.  But a good feed (one designed for older horses) would include some or all of the following:

It's base should be lucerne/alfalfa chaff.  

Lucerne is high in calcium and magnesium and has a good vit/min content.  Magnesium will assist your boy with his tying up by relaxing the muscles.

It should also contain soybean meal.

This is an excellent protein source for horses having a complete amino acid profile.

Other good ingredients are: rice bran/pollard, sugar beet, copra, a multi vitamin/mineral supplement and possibly an oil supplement.

I would also suggest a vitamin E supplement which has been shown to decrease the number and severity of cases of tying up in performance horses.

Avoid grains (especially corn), your boy doesn't need the starch.  An alternative is to mix your own feeds and if you need help just ask.  In this case some boiled barley can have a soothing and beneficial effect on the older horse's digestive system.  Boiled barley has a low starch content and high digestibility. But it is messy to cook!

One other thing to keep in mind is the level of riding that you are doing with your boy.  At 24 his workload should be pretty light.  Stick to steady trail rides that don't tire him too much.  Regular steady/light exercise will help with tying up, but overdoing it will make it worse.  If he's tying up on a regular basis after work it might be time to consider retiring him to his paddock (he's deserved it).

Also, rugging according to temperature will help to keep those old muscles warm in colder weather (and will help with the tying up) and will also help him keep condition as all his energy won't be going to keeeping him warm.


Good luck with your boy!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again, thanks for your reply...sounds good...the nutritionist returned my call finally and when I complained about his loss of weight, she still strongly urged me to not give him the commercial grains to avoid the sugars and tying up....but said I should now try beet pulp (1-4 cups daily) with the added vitamins (chromium, B6, siberian ginseng)  I wonder if this will be enough nutrition for him yet??  What do you think of this new suggestion? This is so confusing. Lori

Answer
Hi Lori,  

Sugar beet is a good feed, but don't forget to soak it first (just follow the directions on the bag).  I still don't like the bran, and I personally would substitute with lucerne/alfalfa chaff.  A little bran can be added to the feed say up to 250g bran but no more.  If bran is needed I prefer rice bran/pollard.  This is a good source of energy and protein with a good omega 6 profile which will help with the tying up.

Your vitamins aren't very balanced.  You would be better of buying a commercially prepared premix (one that has added chromium) and feeding as per directions.  Watch out for siberian ginseng - the safety of long term use in horses has not been established and can have some nasty side effects.

I've had a quick look at feeds available in the US.  I found a product called coolstance http://www.stanceglobal.com.au//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&It

This seems to be the equivalent of a product we have here in Australia called Coprice.  I would recommend having a look at thier website.  I think, mixed with some chaff and a little bit of sugar beet, it would be a good alternative to the bran diet your nutritionist has you on.

But that's all just my opinion of course!

Good luck!