Horse Hair Testing for Minerals/Vits

[sjp1]

Anyone had it done. Does it work?

The problem with testing forage is different hay varies, and fields vary from paddock to paddock.

Rather than just feeding a Topspec etc. etc., I would prefer to give him additional minerals and vits according to what he needs, and a hair test seemed logical.

However, bound to be a catch.........???

 

[JenHunt]

not sure as I've never used it - contact k9h on here she works (used to work perhaps) for a company involved with such things i believe.

 

[Fuzznugget]

The yard I used to work at had this done for all their horses, and they all ended up with 2/3 huge tubs of some sort of supplement each. Can't comment on the 'does it work' part, I never really noticed a difference in the before/after with any of them.

 

[sjp1]

Thank you - anyone else before I part with vast sums for no point!!!

 

[brucea]

Best to test your forrage. That's what they eat. The hair will only show the minerals that are laid down in hair, and there wil be contaminants.

If you source your hay locally then there is every likelihood that it will be much the same grass analysis as your own so you can probably assume that what would be right for the grass....

If you have multiple fields then you put a plastic bag in a clean bucket and sample 9-12 areas form ereach field. The mix it together and take a sample out of that.