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Little Wolf Ranch

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HOW DO YOU GUYS FILL OUT YOUR MINIATURE HORSES OVER THE RIBS?

All of my horses have nice muscle, nice big hay bellies (100% sure bellies are not from worms - they are all on a worming program) BUT I just cannot seem to get them nice and flat over the ribs - it **all** goes to the bellies and not over the rib cage. They are currently on pasture (our pastures are OK/decent but are not thick and lush by no means) and mineral blocks. I have tried Strategy and even Ultium (and paid out the butt for it) earlier this year and it didn't seem to do anything except, again, make their neck crests and bellies enlarge. 

NOTICE: We have tried oat hay but are now switching from it to a fescue/clover mix hay due to the "batch" that we got of hay caused chronic diahrrea in all of our horses - it was quickly disposed of and now everyone is good again. Is there a certain hay that would help with this?

Should I be using a weight builder, corn oil, etc.?

Other than being able to slightly see the ribs ((I like to see horses on the chunkier side)) everyone is in great shape, shiny coats, nice muscles, a little bit of neck crests on everyone, etc. If there are any "tips and tricks" y'all have up your sleeve - let them be known! 
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The very first thing I would do is actually have your horses tested for internal parrisites. Its something simple that your vet can do. Just because you are worming them, doesn't mean they can't have worms. Your wormer may not be strong enough, or work for the parasites a horse has. You also have to remember that horses can build up a resistance to wormers. I would deff check with your vet, and go from there. Even the healthiest looking horse can be infested.

Some horses are just built 'weird'. We have one horse that has a very odd shaped ribcage, and even when in top shape, has that slight belly appearance and seems more "ribby" then you would like.

Anyway, the BEST thing I have found on big horses and minis is beat pulp and ground flax and a good BALANCED mineral. We put every horse on this and I always helps to fill out their top lines and around their croup. It really does help add that weight up there in topline.
 
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Hi!

Well...... Since to me it's "all" in my fed to get mine to look they way they do........But hearing what you wrote.... 2 things come to mind......

For one I would give them beet pulp..... and teeth would also be another thing I would have checked out....... But beet pulp is a "major" thing for filling a horse out......... Beet Pulp & oats are all I give mine along with top dressing (minerals (kelp & flax seed).... but they also get a little bit of alfalfa (wether it be from a regular square bale or cubes)...
 
osu_barrelracer:

No parasites here! We have bi-annual fecal samples taken of everyone as a precaution against the nasty little boogers. I try my best to stay ahead of them in the game. In fact, samples were just taken in June and everyone is clear. 

MyBarakah:

Teeth are all good, again we check yearly as a precaution especially since I have my older QH gelding who needs these sorts of check ups. So I know for a fact everyone's teeth are in good shape - plus I'm a Veterinary Assistant and "feeling around" in the mouth is no problem for me so I frequently check their teeth for hooks and sharp points myself. I always try to prevent something - always seems to cost less that way 
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I would like to know what your feeding regime would be for feeding everyone beet pulp and oats - if you could tell me on here or PM me, either would be fine. I have been with horses for 10+ years now and still haven't found a feeding program I like and can actually stick with. 
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I like the ease of a all-in-one grain but then wonder if it is good or not for all equines involved.
 
I would like to know what your feeding regime would be for feeding everyone beet pulp and oats - if you could tell me on here or PM me, either would be fine. I have been with horses for 10+ years now and still haven't found a feeding program I like and can actually stick with.
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I like the ease of a all-in-one grain but then wonder if it is good or not for all equines involved.
I "discovered" ration balancers after I got into minis in 2005; previously with my saddle horses I had tried just about every grain and bagged feed there was and was never quite happy with them. So far, I'm just loving the way my horses look on the ration balancer and grass hay; this is all my minis get that are on maintenance, the broodmares and foals get a little growth formula too. I do have two seniors and they are on a slightly different program, but they have special needs; one needs more weight so I've added a calorie source and a probiotic and he's starting to look great again (saddle horse), the other gets a mix of lo-carb grain and senior plus my best hay (mini stallion - he needed a boost after having his teeth done, but now is chowing down on the hay, so I cut his senior and increased his lo-carb). [Oh, and in the winter I do feed a small amount a soaked beet pulp to everyone, mostly to help with hydration, but also to add another meal to their day.]
 
"RATION BALANCERS" please do go on! How do you feed them, how much, how many times per day, what brands/kinds, etc. 

I want an easy feeding program. . .I don't want to "mix a bit of this with a bit of that and a touch of this with a little bit of. . . .", etc. Something plain and simple is what I am hoping to find and yours sounds about as simple as possible as I have been very unhappy with every bagged feed I've tried 
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"RATION BALANCERS" please do go on! How do you feed them, how much, how many times per day, what brands/kinds, etc.
I want an easy feeding program. . .I don't want to "mix a bit of this with a bit of that and a touch of this with a little bit of. . . .", etc. Something plain and simple is what I am hoping to find and yours sounds about as simple as possible as I have been very unhappy with every bagged feed I've tried
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Katie,

I sent you a PM and you might try the search feature for the forum (upper right corner). Feed discussions are many on the board; seems everyone has a different program that works for them, so study the what others have done, talk you your vet and/or a nutritionist and see what might work for you.
 
Purina makes a ration balancer that is to be used with graass hay or pasture grass,- that is a low fat type called Purina Enrich 32.

You dont need much, and it is easy to feed.

The horses love it but right now I am not feeding it as I have no weight issues.

If I ever need another ration balancer that will be the one.
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I think the beet pulp will also help to accomplish that Katie.

I usually gave enrich 32 to my easy keepers, and others to keep them from getting cresty while trying to adjust thier weight.

That much it did as it is low in fat, and high in nutrients..

You may want to consider a bit more protien to add solid weight to them.

You can get that in some alfalfa burmuda pellets like Lakin Lite pellets.

Be sure to give them a pre-soak in water first if your horses are not used to them.. to help them chew them up.

And as with any new product, start out slow and gradual.
 
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Part of the beauty of Enrich 32 is the high protein...32%. You can increase/decrease amount as needed. This stuff is expensive at $23-$30 a bag but is great. It provides vit/min/protein in a low fat form and this helps them to utilize their hay/pasture in a more efficient manner. Still, if you want weight, add some beet pulp. You can mix it with the ration balancer and slack it off when they are at desired weight. Another good product is Blue Seal Vintage Senior. It has BP right in it, lots of goodies for gut digestion, etc. Not as much protein, you feed more (it's a complete feed) but I find it great for my oldies and any hard keepers. It's in the $16-20 range.

Feed is not cheap but, quality is worth it and takes less volume once you achieve your weight.

How many do you have?
 
I currently have one 15.2hh quarter horse and 5 miniatures. . . .

I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money to feed the same amount that I was with the cheaper grain, if you get what I mean.There are really a bunch of different grains right now and to be honest I do not know where to start 
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