[katc]

I hope I’m in the correct spot to ask a question. I’m all set with my gelding. But I do have some concerns for my broodmare. She’s not bred yet, hopefully we will be next week. Currently she’s on a balancer and a little bit of grain, plus alfalfa and hay limited pasture. After listening and reading more on here I’d like to move her over to SBM and alfalfa pellets like my gelding. Would I start and keep her on 1lb per day of the SBM or does that get adjusted throughout her pregnancy? I will be giving her 4 to 6lbs of alfalfa/timothy pellets as well. Along with free choice redmond blocks I have set out. I also add in a tablespoon once daily of loose redmond too. I’d classify her as a easy keeper. But I’ve not ever had her as a broodmare, only performance use. This will be her 3rd foal, my first. We just acquired her about 4 months ago. And what is recommended for a foal when they begin wanting to sample feed. The same diet? Alfalfa pellets mixed with SBM? I do soak all my horses feed before feeding. Thank you very much for this website and podcasts I’m loving what I’m learning here.

[DinahC]

Hi Doc T.I also hope you see this in time for the meeting this evening.

Please can you talk about Canon Crud (not sure if called such in the USA). I’m referring to a kind of build up of something that appears waxy and makes the skin become quite thickened under the hair coat on the front of the Canon bones of the hind legs. My mare battled with this in both hind limbs in 2019 and even in earlier years. I washed her legs with a special shampoo called Kez (treats dandruff, contains ketoconazole) and Selsun 2.5% (also says it treats dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor and tinea versicolor) which definitely made it appear to disappear. But now suddenly it’s back and she’s sensitive to touch on the thickened skin and I believe unwilling to be active as the concussion causes her discomfort.

Can you share the cause or what it is and how to treat it. And maybe more difficult to answer, what needs addressing in the body to prevent it from reoccurring in the future? Do you think it is a compromised micro or holo Biome by any chance? Or could it a fungal infection due to stress?

For the record, I am addressing her microbiome needs by feeding a really good probiotic (I know vets are skeptical about probiotics), bakers yeast, and a prebiotic in the form of cabbage, daily. I cannot leave any one component out of her diet without seeing a – ve reaction.

Any input from you would be much appreciated. Tx

[katc]

Thank you for taking the time to address my questions. I’m bummed I missed the meeting definitely try to make the next call. I appreciate the feedback. My search continues to find good soybean meal. I may give West feeds another try because I can get it locally. (The cattle feed producer) after calling them on the extras I found in my first bag they told me to return the bag for a new one. I did ask about the cross contamination possibility. I was told “it shouldn’t be” haha very reassuring. But they also make a lot of other animal feeds that cannot have contact with ionophores. Feels a bit Russian roulette at times. Having dealt with a horse that was accidentally poisoned by medicated feed contamination, I’m extremely weary, our case was minor compared to others. But it will forever be a concern for me. That being said… I ordered a stupidly expensive SBM from a company based on California that happened to be organic yada yada …med free facilities etc etc .. I felt confident we were going to get the best quality SBM having it shipped from California to Texas .. cost me $50 just for shipping. It pains me to even type this out. But yes.. I paid it .. my total cost was $90 for a 40lb bag delivered. Waited almost 2 weeks.. it arrived and I opened it up to find it loaded with corn chops, strange pellets, oats big chunks of lord knows what…almost looked like peanut brittle. I was so upset. I fed it to my chickens instead. I’m not giving up yet though .. my search is still continuing. Ironically, our home is surrounded by crop fields and farmers and I can’t seem to get my hands on any soybean meal. Go figure! Great info on the mare and foal as well. And yes we are told to increase mares feed or put them on a “growth ” feed last 3 months. My mare is actually a little on the chubby side right now my repro vet (also known to us locals, as Doc T) is pleased with her condition. She prefers them to be fleshy before being bred. So we are good there. By the way, she’s scheduled to be bred this Friday! Thanks again for the information. I’m telling everyone I know about you and this podcast and website.

[Doc-t]

Thank you for referring this site to others. One at a time, we will help all horses.

Don’t beat yourself up about the CA SBM. They will get theirs in the end 😇.

Mares will conceive better if they are on an “increasing plane of nutrition,” as my professor called it. However, overfeeding a mare nursing and/or carrying a foal is the same as overfeeding the foal. It is an art form to feed mares, and each responds differently. I will do a podcast soon on breeding and foaling.

The other, “Doc T.”