Constantly At War ( Moved to community.thehorsesadvocate.com )
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So can we go “cold turkey” in eliminating grains? And – I’m guessing I should just feed alfalfa hay and not the pellets since they contain additives – right?
This question is often asked. YES you can go “cold-turkey” which means you can immediately stop feeding grain. Think of it this way. If you were eating something that was making you sick (inflaming the bowel), how long would it take you to stop eating it?
Here are two things that happen when grain is removed. 1) For about 3 days the horse(s) may complain of the disrupted feeding schedule. They will get over it but you can, if you want, feed a few cubes of hay or a handful of hay pellets. 2) Most fat horses will rapidly lose the fat along the top line. This is an indication that the gut inflammation is subsiding but unfortunately your eye may think that the horse is going downhill. The truth, however, is that with the fat gone, the lack of muscle is now evident. The solution is to add protein and trust the process.
There are a lot of hay pellets without additives. look at Standlee for the hay (at Tractor Supply). If you do feed alfalfa, just a flake a day should suffice for a horse. The rest can be grass hay.
Hmmm, I don’t suppose that medical researcher is Dr Adamo and the “Eat Right for your Blood Type”? This is his exact premise.
Dr Steven Gundry who wrote “The Plant Paradox.” Eating for the right blood type has been around for a while while the discovery of how lectins affect the immune system is relatively recent. I am trying to hypothesize that it is the lectins in grain that is affecting our horses causing obesity, hard keepers, insulin resistance, muscle wasting, arthritis and more. Dr Gundry and I have a similar view – WHY are all these diseases happening now in a greater frequency than before? Stay tunes as I try to explain more on this.
PS I hope last weekend’s hurricane did not leave you in knee high water. Melissa, Kathy and I sent our best thoughts and prayers to you and your neighbors in LA.
I do a lot of rescue work so I see first hand the changes in horses when grain is not part of their diet, even when I have an extremely emancipated horse we don’t resort to grains to bring them back to their full weight and temperaments. Thanks for getting the information out so people can be better educated!
I also have 26 horses, lol including 2 donkeys so it’s not like I base my findings on a single experience 🙂
Thank you for reading this and commenting. I appreciate you addition because hearing from real experiences helps to make the points. Stay tuned as I try to bridge the gap between human research and horses to help understand the why behind it.
Doc T, thanks for your insights. I was looking at one of my horses today and was amazed at how great she looks. I started her on Pro Add Ultimate back in the spring. Her coat is sleek and shiny and her she’s finally growing decent hoof, where before she’s always had multiple surface cracks. I also noticed that the rough, flaky areas on the front of her cannon bones behind is completely gone. I’ve tried numerous shampoos and topical ointments over the years, but nothing every cleared it up. We look forward to seeing you back in Virginia next spring!
Thanks Harriet – this is a comment that helps others a lot. Would you be able to add whether you also removed grain from the diet? My discussion of how lectins work in binding and blocking glucose uptake also includes the prevention of protein absorption leading to chronic protein deficiency. Thanks
I haven’t fed grains to my horses or cattle for over 20 years. My animals live long lives, we don’t have colic, founder, ulcers or any of the other issues I read about from other owners. We also don’t see declining health issues before they pass on. Hay, hay, hay 24/7 and our horses love us just the same 🙂 Keep preaching it if one horse is given the chance to live a healthier life it’s all worth it!
Thanks Patty. My blogs simply say to stop feeding grain, but they also offer a possibility as to why it is affecting out horses in such a bad way. My perspective of 44 years with them is driving it, but comments like yours are needed to show others that there is merit in eliminating grain from the diet of the horse. More on this coming over the next few weeks. Thanks!
Thanks for continuing to repeat the details, Doc T. I am moving patiently forward on our new “no grain” program and beginning to notice the subtle changes in my horses. Most importantly, I no longer have the nagging worry about the undefined ingredients in what I’m feeding. Keeping a journal line you suggested! See you after the first of the year to catch up at “teeth time”
Thanks Sandra – I am really looking forward to our visit. In the meantime I will continue to offer these new ideas and hope that owners like you are willing to try it and report back so we all learn together. Thank YOU!