How to feed supplements *10 pts!*

Question

I have my TB on Psyllium pellets (tiny pellets) and Grand Complete (powder) and I feed Grand Complete to him every day, and Psyllium 1-2x per week. Psyllium cannot get very wet because the purpose of it is when the horse eats it, the wetness of saliva etc turns it into a gel and it sticks to any sand in his intestines and comes out the other end...to prevent sand buildup/colic, in other words.

The Grand Complete is a powder and the Psyllium pellets can't get wet. How should I feed this to him? It isn't very appetizing and I am not sure how much he can eat of it because his nose blows it around when he exhales and it scatters. I have put it in a small bowl as well as his feeder.

Is there something else I should give to him to make this easier? Prefferably NOT something like beet pulp that takes a lot of prep time..sometimes I have very little time at the barn to supplement him.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Molasses is a good idea if you ride a lot, but in my experience with TB' it can make them hot! Where we live is all sand and instead of buying expensive supplements to prevent sand colic vegetable oil work just as well. We have 3 TB's that are hard keepers and when we grain them we mix veggie oil in the feed because it really don't have a taste they eat it right up and it helps maintain their weight at the same time! They're 27 and 29!

Answer 2

I feed powdered supplements and just put them straight on top of the feed (pelleted feed like Senior or Ultium) and just mix it in really well.  The pellets seem to have enough moisture to get most of that to stick since they have some molasses in them.  Neither of my mares have any problem eating it that way.  They always l**k their feed tubs clean!

Answer 3

Don't know about the psyllium but for the other beet pulp is the best and it really doens't take long - just put a handful in a bucket with some water the night before and it's ready the next day. Otherwise maybe mix it in with some apple juice or something like that and just feed it seperatly from the one that has to stay dry.

Answer 4

mixing it in with grain is the best way to go

that way it basically disappears and theres like no way your horse can not eat it!!!!

good luck!

Answer 5

I would feed them at separate feedings. The psyllium at night and the supplement in the morning. That way you can take a spray bottle of water and mist the other feed your feeding him and the powder will stick to it.

What are you feeding as a main course? :)

Answer 6

You can mix it with molasses, carrots or some other treats your horse may like. You can mix it in with grain.

Answer 7

I would look at supplements on this sight they are all orginazed by the problem. I get my mares stuff from them becuase we do some showing not much but I need to make sure she is in best of health becuase I love her.. It also guarentees that your horse is getting same ammount everytime..

www.smartpakequine.com  

Answer 8

molasses is NOT a good idea. Its hard to digest (kinda defeats the purpose of giving the supplement) and small amounts can make horses (especially tb's) very hot, so especially a no if your not experienced. do you mix it with his grain or whatever hard food you give him? if so split it into an am feeding and a pm feeding. that's how we deal with that sort of thing.