Barley ring addict who won't eat her feed without them

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Lifelongequestrian

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So I've been doing a lot of research lately into what's actually in my horses feeds. She was fed barley rings mixed with ready mash extra as she was fairly poor. I have recently decided to try and stopfeeding the barley rings.
I think my mares addicted 😂 she knows when I don't add them in and spends 15 mins throwing her bowl around her stable ferreting through it to find them! Should I gradually wean her off them or just include a few rings to her dinner? Is it a case of she'll eat when she's hungry?
 
It depends on why you decided to stop them. My immediate response was to suggest you let her have a few just for the sake of peace. But if you stopped feeding them because of a medical condition or concerns about something in that particular feed then clearly that isn't the right option. But if she starts to loose condition because either she won't eat or she has buried her food elsewhere messing about with it then you might need to give in. Most horses will eat when they are hungry enough - but in some it isn't ideal to let them get that way. And some are just too stubborn!
 
I've read up on the sugar and starch content of the rings. She's in good condition, maintains it well. Doesn't put on or lose any. I just fear ill give her problems if I continue feeding them. And yes you are right, it's definitley more peaceful when she has them. Other wise the buckets in the air, the feed ends up all over her bed which she then churns up!
I haven't really read any pros to barley rings except for oldies (which she isnt). She certainly is very stubborn! Mares ay!
 
Are you on the red mash? because perhaps you could drop your mare to the blue or even green and still give her some barley?
 
Red is more for the competition horse and is much higher in protein and starch. If you look at the blue and then the green, they are much lower (so Red is 11% starch. Green is 5%) Think of Blue as the medium and Green as the next one down. So Red is good for weight but can fizz up some horses and of course, it does have barley in it already.
 
Me personally would just take them out. If she isn't poor and you have another feed you want her on then just put her on it. She will get over the trauma of no Barley Rings!
 
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