Cowgirl Up on LatigoLiz.com

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Argument Against Grain/Sweet Feed

This is the absolute best study I have seen to date. It doesn’t really address the physical or long term health implications, just the trainability ones. It’s yet another supportive argument that grains in many circumstances are not proper horse feed.

Sweets make young horses harder to train in MSU study

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9 comments:

The W.O.W. factor! said...

My hubby has been starting colts for years now...and he NEVER gives them sweet feed, tells clients almost the same thing MSU article states. People always seem to think it should be a treat or reward during learning process...but hubby has always told them otherwise! They bring it with their horses..he sends it back home with them when they come pick their horse up!

LA Nickers said...

Good points . . . although it certainly can feel good to offer some sweet feed to a faithful old friend . . .

Blessings,
Linda

The Mane Point

BIG DOGS OR LITTLE DOGS – at PRACTICALLY AT HOME

LatigoLiz said...

I am not opposed to offering sweet feed, but it’s certainly not something that the horse needs to have! Most horses out there probably can have a little, but more and more these days most horses shouldn’t have any of it. Just look at how many horses are developing issues from not having a correctly balanced diet.

I could go on and on, but I think you guys understand where I am coming from.

Gracie's Mom said...

It reminds me of what Clinton Anderson says, "Horses in the U.S. are over-fed and under-worked." But I think sweet feed really goes horse-to-horse.

We have two geldings, the same age, trained by the same trainer in the same discipline. One of them can handle all kinds of feed, his disposition never changes. The other will LITERALLY go on a sugar high. It's kind of funny to watch, but it makes him impossible to use! People could probably eliminate a lot of behavioral and/or training problems by eliminating the sweet feed.

You're absolutely right, horses don't need sweet feed. People just convince themselves that horses are like dogs and "will be sad" if they don't get their "treat!"

Kelly said...

I love your cat!!! He/She is adorable!!!

C-ingspots said...

My first time to your site and I'm very curious about your name "Latigo Liz". Do you own any of the Latigo bred horses? We have known and owned several and they are the most amazing horses ever! I always love learning about and discussing my horse's lineage and their relatives. Thanks for your time,
Cingspots

LatigoLiz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LatigoLiz said...

Fixing typos!

kelly, Thanks. Chester is pretty cool I’ll post more about him in the future.

cingspots,
Oh goodness no, those horses aren’t mine. I haven’t ever bred any horses and at this point don’t have a mind (or stomach) to. OK, well maybe one someday.

The nickname has kinda been stuck to me since 1999 I think it was. A trip to McGinnis Meadows Cattle and Guest Ranch where I stayed in the “Latigo” room of the lodge for the week. My girlfriends and I all have our own little nicknames and that is the one that has stuck to me the most. Back in college I had Mustang as my nickname when I worked at a Damp Fire summer camp as a riding instructor. But that’s a whole other story in itself.

la mexicana said...

What a great article! I just sent it to the woman who owns the horse I am "trying" to start. The filly is so hot, and eats 3 - 5 pounds of sweet feed a day.

And today, she bucked me off. Go figure.