Rice Bran

[JulieM]

This is sort-of a continuation of this thread: nhrexracers.proboards70.com/index.cgi?board=Main&action=display&thread=1203978738

I've asked the barn manager to only feed lunch if he's out of hay or close to it at lunchtime and then charge me accordingly. That will help financially -- why pay for it if he's not eating it? What's more is that he's just not getting the calories he needs even though his tummy is full.

At first I was being drawn toward Ultium by Purina as an additive for weight gain. Then, upon further review, it seems that plain old stablized rice bran might work just as well. Ultium is a lot more expensive and I don't think he'll be working enough to warrant such a high octane feed. Because he receives alfalfa every day, I don't need to worry about the calcium definciency, so I don't even need anything extra fancy.

I am going to continue with one flake grass / one alfalfa in the AM, along with the oats (because he likes them and they are included in the board) and I'll start with 1/4 lb. of rice bran, increasing him to 1 lb. and slowly wean him from all the supplements (I may feed supplements half the year when he's not in pasture).

No lunch unless he is out or not in pasture (winter). If he has lunch it's a flake of grass.

PM will be the same as AM for a total of up to 2 lbs. of rice bran.

I'll see how he does in March and adjust him accordingly in April. I'll also start riding this week as my saddle should arrive tomorrow ;D so maybe he'll end up a big 'ol fatty! I'll still post photos tomorrow to get opinions on his weight. But, based on my research, I think this is a pretty good plan and is fairly simple and inexpensive. Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Goalie]

It sounds like a good plan Julie. I still want to see pics of him so we can all ooh and ahh over him.

[Einstein]

That sounds good. I'd still probably keep an eye on the hay, that doesn't sound like enough, but it totally depends on how much the hay weighs. I can't wait to see his pics, glad your saddle is coming, you can finally get on him!

[Lis]

I know how you feel with the "skinny thoughts". Went from a 15.1hh App that weighs close to 1200 pounds and is a size 80 blanket, to an Appendix who looked like a TB until she hit 6 when she started to look like a QH, to another Appendix who's got so much TB in him..he's just super tall and lanky.

[JulieM]

I completely forgot pics!

I had a look at him tonight and he has a bit of a hay belly. Still, he's a bit ribby and oh, what a horrible topline! So, I think it's primarily that he's out of shape, not that he's not getting enough feed.

I think I'm going to nix the oats, add rice bran and do the hay as I mentioned above.

I'll get pics tomorrow and I'm sure, will have changed my mind about feed again and will be looking for suggestions.

Oh, and my saddle came - - but no girth or leathers and they sent the wrong bit.

[juliab]

He might be one of those that need extra protein to retain a good muscle tone and top line. My stallion loses his topline if he is on anything less than a 14% grain and Lola is the same way. Then again, Fancy has turned into an e a s y keeper and looks great and she gets a basic 11% grain. I have a fat QH who gets a bit of grain each day just so he doesn't get too jealous of the stallion So you have to figure out what works best. Alfalfa cubes are a good way to increase protein and calories as well.

[NancyL]

Some tbs need to be exersizing to bulk up and when not in exercise, they can drop weight and look like they aren't well fed. We had one of these who ran 139 times until he was 11. He was really exercize weight dependent!

I can't remember how much Brig ran? I'm sure he will be where you want in 6 months and you will become an expert on his feed needs. Can you get Trifecta where you are? It's a nice top dressing for horses that need extra calories and really shines up the coat.