Post by JulieM on Jul 15, 2008 11:57:39 GMT -5
I'm moving to partial care for Brig and I'm switching from pure alfalfa to an alfalfa/grass mix now that I have to purchase my own hay. Good quality alfalfa is very hard to find and once you find it, super expensive. I was thinking about his feed needs come winter, and partial care.
He's still eating quite a bit this summer (this is my first summer with him) and is fattening up nice. Because he's so far out and gas prices are so high, he's not being ridden more than three times per week. Once winter comes, he'll be closer and working more. His current feed is four to five flakes grass, two flakes alfalfa and four lbs. rice bran daily. Plus supplements and a little fresh grass (his pasture is pretty bare).
I thought this winter I would add vegetable oil to his rice bran as well as alfalfa cubes. My issue with this is that it seems like a lot of extra work (difficult with him going to partial care) and is it more expensive in the long run than feeding him a pre-mixed grain?
It seems like it may be less expensive and easier to find the right balance of fat, protein and calories in a pre-mixed feed, perhaps adding vegetable oil. I want to stay away from starches and prefer a feed without sugar/molasses as he seems to do better without that stuff, mentally and physically.
Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!
He's still eating quite a bit this summer (this is my first summer with him) and is fattening up nice. Because he's so far out and gas prices are so high, he's not being ridden more than three times per week. Once winter comes, he'll be closer and working more. His current feed is four to five flakes grass, two flakes alfalfa and four lbs. rice bran daily. Plus supplements and a little fresh grass (his pasture is pretty bare).
I thought this winter I would add vegetable oil to his rice bran as well as alfalfa cubes. My issue with this is that it seems like a lot of extra work (difficult with him going to partial care) and is it more expensive in the long run than feeding him a pre-mixed grain?
It seems like it may be less expensive and easier to find the right balance of fat, protein and calories in a pre-mixed feed, perhaps adding vegetable oil. I want to stay away from starches and prefer a feed without sugar/molasses as he seems to do better without that stuff, mentally and physically.
Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!
