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Post by Luci on Sept 24, 2008 9:42:56 GMT -5
I've never had one eat chunks off and eat it up so fast. Nave hated his and never even licked it. I added minerals to his feed in summer instead. Oz is going through the little bricks in just over 2 weeks. Is that normal and o.k. ? It's such a dumb question, but it's a new thing to me. Thanks!
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Post by alisonph on Sept 24, 2008 14:16:44 GMT -5
Luci,
In our barn we have mineral inhalers and casual mineral users. Blocks get eaten depending on the season and the hay we're feeding. During summer grass months, they don't touch the block. They begin using the blocks when we feed hay. The pony, who's on a drylot, CONSUMES mineral. I notice a difference in consumption depending on the type of hay we feed.
It might be that his feed has changed since coming to a new area and his body is adapting. I think as long as it's mineral and doesn't have some sort of sugary additives, he'll be fine, but I have no scientific evidence to support that theory.
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Post by NancyL on Sept 24, 2008 14:30:32 GMT -5
Luci,
Our guys could take or leave it but a good friend just down the road--her horses devour theirs. Ours definitely prefer regular salt blocks. Preference of mineral blocks does depend on hay, local soil conditions (we tend to be selenium deficient here) and grain type fed. Our friend originally began offering it after consulting an equine nutrionist about ration balancing for her warmbloods. I would not be alarmed. But it's worth noticing and keeping track over the long term.
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Post by fancyhorse on Sept 24, 2008 14:34:47 GMT -5
My guys do the same thing, gone in like a week! I just started adding it to their feed.
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Post by juliab on Sept 24, 2008 18:48:49 GMT -5
I get the powdered variety and add it to their feed. That way I know that everyone is getting some each day. I have a salt block and it gets attention in hot humid weather but is otherwise ignored.
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Post by Luci on Sept 24, 2008 21:16:10 GMT -5
Well, it looks like I don't need to worry about it, just buy more  |
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Post by Kim on Sept 24, 2008 22:35:57 GMT -5
Are you talking about the small brick like ones, or the 25 lb ones? When I first moved to my barn, 4 years ago now, all the horses had the large ones in their stalls. Jodi had his GONE in like 3 days? Now they have them out in the pastures, but not in the stalls. Sometimes I put one in his stall, and it lasts for a while now. I don't think it's a huge deal...some horses just are more oral than others too I think. Jodi ate his out of boredom.
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Post by Luci on Sept 24, 2008 23:50:30 GMT -5
Oz has the little brick in his feed bin. He has a Lick-it too, but I don't think he likes the flavor.
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Post by Lis on Sept 25, 2008 9:59:37 GMT -5
If it's in his feed bin, it's probably why he's eating it so quickly. You might want to get a holder for the wall for it. Most I know will eat them a lot slower when they're on the wall, rather than in the feed bucket.
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Sept 25, 2008 16:15:28 GMT -5
I'd take it out of the feed bowl and put it on the wall. If he still eats it quickly I'd go to a loose supplement in his feed. Hard on the kidneys to process all that extra.
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Post by filly on Sept 25, 2008 17:12:41 GMT -5
We have one guy next to my horse that inhales his in chunks(25#er). I think it's been so hot this year late. I think he eats it because he's board and it's something to do. He wasn't getting ridden much and not much turnout either. Maybe your little guy is bored and needs some entertainement? I also would agree with getting the block holders and use one of the larger ones as I always had trouble with the cheapies when hanging the smaller one's on the wall. They always seemed to get ripped off much faster. The salt block holder for the big blocks is very sturdy. I've had Katy 3 years and still have the same salt block. |
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Post by Luci on Sept 26, 2008 19:26:41 GMT -5
Off to feed store this weekend : ). Maybe I should just get the big block and holder for the floor. Plus, change is lick-it to the flavor he seemed more interested in. Then, see how it goes.
He's ridden 5 to 6 days a week, but I know he gets bored. His buddy next door is 17 and not as interested in playing across the paddock. (Though Oz gets a few bites so I know Oz is getting him to pay attention him)
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Post by jenarby on Sept 27, 2008 9:41:47 GMT -5
Our outside horses devour the big blocks. The inside horses get it in their feed so no blocks for them.
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Post by Majors Minor on Sept 27, 2008 19:46:21 GMT -5
I go though about 1 every week or two, a couple of the horses still have their first one in their stall. Put it on the wall though. They do go a lot faster in the feed tub.
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