Carrot Query

3OldPonies

3OldPonies

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I was always told that there should be succulents, i.e. carrots, parsnips, apples. etc added to every feed to make sure that there is enough moisture going through the gut with the feed. However, I've seen a couple of threads on here where people have been advised not to feed carrots etc as they are really sugary. My boys all have soaked or dampened feeds - so what do people think, can I leave the carrots out? Certainly for one of them he needs less rather than more sugar so I'd be willing to give it a go if other people think that the soaked feeds and chaff mix would be OK.
 
An old feeding rule going back to times when horses were frequently stabled 24/7 having no access to grass on a daily basis, feeds were usually straights and hay fed dry so nothing succulent was given unless they had sugar beet, with todays feeding methods, daily turnout being the normal routine there is no need for a succulent to be fed unless the horse is unwell and taking on limited fluids when it can be very helpful.
 
Yup I'd cut out the carrots etc.

None of my horses had treats like carrots, apples etc in their feeds. As long as it's dampened down I would cut out the sugar and save the veg for treats for good behaviour only if you want to feed them.

I have to say iv never heard that carrots etc should be fed to keep the gut moist to digest feed. First time for everything I guess
 
Thanks guys. I thought that i might be a bit out of touch on this one - I was taught about feeding yonks ago so I'm quite happy to try cutting out the carrots. I think I'll leave them in for the really old chap, he can be more than a bit fussy, and has a compacted colic history (though not in recent times thankfully), the other two can go without from now on - my purse will be happier too!
 
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3OldPonies said:
I was always told that there should be succulents, i.e. carrots, parsnips, apples. etc added to every feed to make sure that there is enough moisture going through the gut with the feed.
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I think the idea of adding succulents may have come from the old working horse days, when they were stabled/stalled most of the time. For fluid balance, drinking water is sufficient and grass is a succulent most horses already get.
Fibrous forage (low in sugars) is what keeps the gut working well.
 
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I feed mine carrots apples parsnips whatever I have in winter .
But they are in work and don't suffer any metabolic issues I would not feed them to say a laminic pony or a horse with senestive soles but for large horses like mine a couple of apples and a carrot will do no harm as part of a diet.
 
I've not heard that but I guess it probably does come from when horses had dry grain and hay and no grass, probably just makes sense they should have something fresh! I only feed carrots/apples occasionally but I do wet all feeds even if only slightly. I generally put in as much water as I can get away with which is more in summer and less when I'm putting supplements in as the supplements end up discarded in the remaining water!
 
That's an interesting one about the sensitive soles. One ponio does suffer from easily bruised soles and is prone to footiness, and he's the one that shouldn't have too much sugar. Even more reason for me to ditch the carrots.

I'm so glad I posted this query, even if it has made me look like I've been stuck in a bit of a time warp, it just goes to show you never do stop learning.

Thanks everyone.
 
3OldPonies said:
I'm so glad I posted this query, even if it has made me look like I've been stuck in a bit of a time warp, it just goes to show you never do stop learning.
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I think we all do stuff because we were taught to or out of habit without thinking much about it.
I remember a lady who used to feed a sack of carrots a day to four horses in the field, they seemed fine. lol

Here's a short article you might find interesting. http://www.hoofrehab.com/WhyThinSoles.html More here. http://www.hoofrehab.com/HorsebackMagazineArticles.html
 
The feeding rule I was taught was to "feed something succulent every day" which is slightly different as it obviously includes grass which is not actually added to the feed bucket as such!
 
With any treat or the like its moderation . Baby always had a couple of carrots in her feeds(which was just a handful happy hoof) but never had polos or any bought treats or likits. I varied with half apple or pear sometimes and she would do anything for swede(given 3 times a week in winter) and she never fizzed or anything :)
 
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