Why shouldn't i feed mix? - research?

SpottyTB

SpottyTB

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Hi there,

I am after some information on the reasons behind not feeding mixes to horses - i can't find anything online and would really appreciate some links to research done!

I don't personally feed mix but my MIL does in fairly large quantities (to youngster and broody/lightly ridden mare) and we'd like to research it and find out more!!

thanks

STB
 
You will not find some links. This is an important industry :-)

Reasons are:

If you feed "straights" you have the real control about what you feed. Control in such a way, that you will find in many mixed feeds recycling material from the human feed industry or better waiste.

As well you are able to balance the relation Starch / Sugar, Fat, protein / digestible protein is more important.

Most horses (sounds funny) don`t need much concentrates, many don`t need them at all.

As well, most mixed feed has some vitamins and traceminerals e.g.

This is ass most measured in such a way that you heve to feed large amounts ONLY FOR TO FULFILL the requirements in this regard.

Too much for any horse.

As well, many mixed feeds are made in such a way that no matter what you do there is a lack of something.
May be the reason is selling suppelemt on top.

If you feed "straights" you have the controll about "macro nutrients" and you will have the controll about the rest like vitamins, minerals e.g. as well feeding a straight balancer.

IN the end of the day you will have better horses and in many (professional) cases you will save money.
People just stuffing the horses with grass e.g. won`t save because they don`t spend money in the first place.

Some believe if they feed a "soope" of some mixed feed the horse will have everything in regard to some vitamins tracelements e. g.

It is not about to believe, it is about to know how much you need.
 
I think it depends on which mix. Yep some are high in starch and sugar but some are very low (releve) for example.I think people should be sensible and feed which suits their horses. Releve is a slow release competition feed, you would never give it to the family plod. Like wise a sports horse competing hard will need more then just hay and a mineral lick.
I don't think mixes are the devil everyone makes them out to be if the right one is fed. Better feed a mix than straights which people don't know how to balance (ie oats with alfa) and straights will be higher in starch. Its why people got problems with tying up in the first place. Monday morning disease they used to call it, when the hunters would tie up on a Monday afterthe day off on full oat ration on the sunday.
 
You will not find much research but you will find a lot of rubbish/spurious science put about by feed companies whose main concern is to make money. You will also hear rubbish spouted by their 'nutritionists'.
The best thing you can do is to change your horses' diets to avoid high starch feeds (including 'straights' such as oats), stick to the simplest ingredients which most nearly mimic the horse's natural diet and see if there is any change for the good - I can almost guarantee that there will be.
 
Most is full of mollasses and my horse gooes nuts on the stuff, I think most horses dont really need it anyway for the amount of work they do, mine just get fibre and micronised linseed and are full of energy.
 
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