Lifestyle and Nutrition; changes and updates

It's been officially just over one month since our move to our new barn.

I am so relived that Lazarus has adjusted so well.

In fact, I would say this move has really benefited his overall health and prompted me to make some changes to his overall diet.

Lifestyle changes:

Laz is out 24/7 on acres of pasture

Moving, grazing all  helps with his body, ulcer prevention, overall happier horse and helps with his healing.

I am so thankful there has been no negative changes in his feet due to ingesting grass

The limited softer terrain doesn't produce a rock hard hoof but hopefully as he heals we can do more road rides to harden them up slowly.

One thing at a time...

He's moving more. 

He is always somewhere different when I pull up which is a good sign.

 He has 3 huge stalls that are open for him to go into.

Today he was relaxing in one by choice (drinking, and sometimes seeks relief from bugs or sun)

His feeding regime as of late;

24/7 grass pasture

Hay 2-3x a day

Feed; 

1.  Triple Crown Low Starch-2 cups twice a day 

(low amount I know, I may bump it back up but I'm not a huge believer in BIG amounts of feed)

So..I supplement that with a balance of minerals/vitamins by using  

and called CA Trace to confirm this was OK to mix with my small dose of feed)

2.  California Trace -1 oz twice a day (recommended amount for 1000 + lb horse)

3.  Flax; ground Omega Fields Horseshine 1/4 cup twice a day (min serving recommended)

Then, I recently started his Beet Pulp mash

I tend to do this Fall-Winter-early Spring I stop

When I want some extra food for him, and WATER in him

With weather changes; this makes me feel good to make for him.

He LOVES it.

Recipe:

2 scoops of shredding Beet Pulp (less than 10% molasses)

1 handful (about 5 cubes) of Timothy/Alfalfa cubes

1 cup of feed (T/C)

1/2 bucket of water to soak

Add one chopped apple and/or carrot (usually carrot)

1-2 tablespoon of salt (or 1 oz)

Any of his Homeopathic medicines (Arnica, etc that I may want to add at the time)

He gets this 4 times a week approximately

Come Frost, I may add in Uckele's Liquid E to this mash.

The grass provides so much Vit E that I may want to supplement when it's all gone.

It's been so great comparing notes with some of YOU readers, to see what works for you, what you use for your horses and why. It's so helpful to talk things out with others.

One thing I've learned-many 'feed' stores act knowledgeable about products they DON'T carry and why you should buy what they DO carry.  

Do your own homework...a lot of advice you get is garbage.

I was incorrectly advised to NOT use California Trace because California (they are located in Northern) has too low Selenium. However, in doing my research, the Selenium is the exact same amount/level I was giving in another product (Uckele's) and in fact Northern California has LOW selenium like us in Michigan.

Again, do your homework and call the distributors/carriers/manufacturers for more detail and cross reference with it people that you trust (vets, trimmers, friends)

"mmmNONMSSlllurp"

 

Sleepy eyes like mash

Terrible table manners

Now, Laz has been on CA trace for about 2-1/2 weeks and his T/C and Flax combo/pasture/hay for a month.

Major SHINE is happening for him.

His fur literally feels like mink

 This is an unbrushed boy -UNBRUSHED and he's that shiny?!
This is new for us...love love love it.

He's been getting this metallic gleam in  his coat that I've never seen before on him.
Ever.

 I just see a difference...and feel a difference

He looks healthier

So I wanted to write it all down and compare to see what other changes may come
I luv this picture of him...

 Mega movement for this boy in his new home

Below is are a couple of great links for diet suggestions by Dr. Kellon and The Horse and by MSU

The Horse | Understanding Feeds for the Busy Owner

http://www.myhorseuniversity.com/

...and on a side note; I hugged my boy today. 
I hugged him so hard for Gogo and Andrea.
Everyday is a victory that we have our horses.