I just rescued 2 PMU black percheron mares from ND. I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on what the best feed there is for drafts? I do know there is a muscular desease out there that affects them if they get to much sugar or starch. These mares have been on the line for several years and I'm going to give them an early retirement, any imput would be appreciated.
2007-03-22 23:29:15 · 4 answers · asked by snookgal05 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
These mares are on their way from ND right now, I was just informed that they are both bred, I currently have 15 stardard size horses of all different ages and they all have different types of feed programs to suit their inv. needs.
Do Drafts require any special vitamin or mineral that differs for a "regular" horse?
Their current feed program is blocks of Timothy and alfalfa.
2007-03-24 00:56:38 · update #1
You rescued 2 PMUs?? That is wonderful. There are so many of them out there that need homes and right now the new 2007 babies are on their way.
The disease your are talking about is Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, and it is a degenerative muscular disease which unfortunately is prevalent among draft horses.
You are looking to buy grain that is low in carbs and sugars. A diet for the horses of high fat, low starch and sugar feed may decrease, delay, or even prevent the signs of EPSM in affected horses. However, they may still get it. There is not enough energy in hay alone. You need good quality hay - alfalfa mix and also alfalfa cubes. The horses need fat in the diet. 2 cups of vegetable or corn oil per 1000lbs ( I don't know the weight of your horses). Mix the corn oil with the alfalfa cubes. You could also feed rice bran and mix the oil with the rice bran. You can also buy commercial feed high in fat but very, very low in carbs and sugar. The commercial feed is not just the ordinary horse feed, they are special feeds. I can't help with the commercial names because I'm in Ontario, Canada and the feeds go by different names. If you call the feed store and tell them you need a commercial feed with little or no sugar and carbs they should be able to give you the correct feed.
Just remember no oats, no sweet feed no molasses, no carrots (lots of sugar), good hay and lots of it, rice bran is good oil for more fat (energy - muscles need the energy so that they don't get EPSM + a commercial feed.
Beet Pulp is also very good as long as you get the type that has the molasses removed. That kind of beet pulp is very low in carbs and sugars.
Sorry this is so long but it is a tough question to answer as you need to know so much and there are lots of alternatives.
Go to this site and about 2/3 the way down you will see 'Tables illustrating these facts' and a bit further down 'Table 2' These 2 files give the % of sugar and carbs. Pick the ones with the lowest to feed but just remember the horses need energy which is in the form of fat.
http://www.equussource.com/articles/nutrition/0405_mp_nutrition_2.jsp
LOOK HERE - NEW UPDATE FOR YOU
I just came across some information at a forum I belong to.
" I just found out my young hanoverian cross has EPSM in Nov 06 "
Here is what she is feeding.
" He has now been on the low carb high fat diet for 4 months (Currently 5 lbs Triple Crown Complete, Grass Mix Hay, and 1.7 lbs fat via oil and a 100% dry fat supplement) "
2007-03-23 13:35:53 · answer #1 · answered by Critters 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you. Im now not certain what the ailment is that you're speakme approximately however all horses advantage from well excellent hay nutrition. This is helping them preclude colic, dangerous enamel and muscle disorders related from top grain nutrition with intermittent activity. Your mares must do good on hay esp if they've entry to well excellent pasture. If they dont feed them a small feed every day of pony nuts (percherons can turn out to be chubby readily) to make certain they get the nutrients they want. If they're skinny you would feed them just a little extra of the horse nuts with out fear they'll get an excessive amount of starch. If they're historical mares a senior combine would be similarly compatible. Make any feed alterations slowly (over a minimum of every week) and also you shouldnt have any disorders. Remember to malicious program them mostly and feature their toes obvious too (Generally those mares have terrible toes). Have a laugh.
2016-09-05 12:53:31 · answer #2 · answered by piekarski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's great that you did that=) we rescued two PMU foals they are great, for feeding them, i would just say hay. People think that they need grain for horses, but if you think they do that's okay alot of people think that. But the best bet just in case the horse is insulin Resistance stick with the hay, they will eat more since they are draft.
2007-03-23 13:46:46 · answer #3 · answered by lilshann2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey if you rescue horses then you are so kool so keep hepling them that is so awsome
2007-03-23 05:53:03 · answer #4 · answered by horse lover!! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋