The Feed Store

Friday afternoon rolls around and its time to pick up the feed, or your about to call in your order. And you pause for a minute asking your self “Have I made a correct choice?”   Like any caring horse owner your have spent a great deal of time researching all the feeds in your area. Looking for the correct levels of protein and fat.  Checking out the ingredients, trying your best to make the correct choice, and like many people you may still be feeding supplements.   

Here are a few things to think about on your way to the feed store that work me.

• Cheaper grain mixes are more likely to be formulated with only a basic "pre-mix" (what feed manufacturers call the vitamin/mineral supplement they add to the grain combination).  Premium feeds are more likely to be specifically formulated for your type of horse, with minerals designed for optimum digestibility. Chances are you won't have to supplement. If you are worried about your horses mineral level, have a soil test done. And blood work on your horse, try to not guess!
• Each grain type used in a high-priced feed will contain fewer foreign particles than cheap feeds, giving you more bang for your buck.
• Cheap grain mixes are often mixed according to a "least-cost" formulation. Their nutritional profile remains similar from bag to bag, but the company may change the formula, or substitute ingredients according to fluctuations in the grain market. This can be a problem if you have a horse with allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients. By contrast, the cost of premium feeds may change, but the ingredients remain exactly the same.
• Beware of sweet feeds, most tend to be high in sugar. And many times a really gooy feed is covering up a lesser product.

Try looking for an all natural feed like McCauley Brothers. They only make feed for horses and use wonderful ingredients.  

Sincerely,

Petra

Trying to eat right!

 I am going to share how I have tried to improve my diet which has helped me both physically and mentally! Everyone has a different metabolism and physical and genetic make up though so you should consult a Doctor or nutritionist before changing yours! Also realize this is an ongoing process that can always be refined and improved.
I first have to give credit to my wife Petra for coming up with a system by which I could determine what worked best for me and doing a lot of research about food in general. When I started I would eat one thing at a time and we would see how it made me feel, energy, mood, sleep, and take notes about ingredients, we did this for months.
Here is what we came up with in a nut shell:
  * Things I eat- Fresh and natural are good starts.  Almost anything form the produce isle, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nuts and hummus are a good snack and source of protin. I also try to eat local or organic meat when possible. My wife has also helped me develop a taste for salmon and other sea foods. Also I find that cage free eggs have a a great taste. I also stick with whole grain breads especially oat. I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and some juices that are not too high in sugar. Smoothies that are all fruit and low in sugar also help me get through the day.
Certain treats are ok in small amounts. ice cream depending on ingredients, Patato chips cooked in sunflower oil, a glass of wine every once in a while.
* Things I stay away from!!!- High fructose corn syrup, enriched wheat flower, dyes, especially red 40 and yellow, too much sugar and caffeine, other preservatives.
* How I eat- 5-7 times a day small portions never bigger than your palm of any one thing at any one time.I drink lots of water throughout the day! I eat in small bites and do best when I eat slowly. This seems to improve digestion and I feel full longer.
  In conclusion, we are what we eat. So try to take the time to read ingredients and know what you are putting in your body.  Before I figured out my diet the doctor wanted me on cholesterol medicine and my triglycerides were high! Now they are both in a good range with no medicine. Exercise also played a part in this. As long as I don't make a mistake my moods are better and I sleep great. I hope this helps you in some small way!!!
Sincerly,
John

Look and feel better by walking

 I am going to share various tidbits concerning fitness, nutrition and more, but first I want to mention again we are all different, so you should consult a doctor, Veterinarian or appropriate professional before starting anything new to be sure it is right for you.

  Walk and stretch! It’s so simple and important, but most of us don’t do it as often as we should. In today’s electronic and hectic world we spend far too much time sitting in the same position. When we begin to exercise we get sore, because we lack a base of fitness and flexibility. It makes such a difference to your overall physical and mental health if you can find time to walk briskly and stretch everyday. You can do it for short periods 3 times a day say 7-11 minutes of walking fallowed by 5-8 minutes of stretching or one long  21- 33 minutes of walking  fallowed by 15-24 minutes of stretching. The walking should be brisk and the stretching slow and methodical. Do this for 3 weeks then you can add some other types of exercise that will shape a new you both inside and out!

·        For Equestrians this is easy to fit in and also great for your equine partner. Before getting on walk your horse in hand a few times each way around the arena, think free walk on a loose reign. Be sure you are walking in a good forward rhythm and a long stride for 7-11 minutes. Then get on and allow your horse to continue to walk in this fashion while you take 5-8 minutes to stretch yourself. Then proceed to your normal warm up, work, and cool down. Once you have finished get off and walk your horse in hand for another 7-11 minutes (loosen the girth a whole or two) again in a good rhythm with a long stride. After you put your horse away stretch yourself for 5-8 minutes to release any tension you might have. This can be done at home before bed, but when you can do it right away then it lets you have a more day or evening! If you can have a brief walk and stretch in the morning or right after dinner to fit in your third time that is Fantastic! If you have a dog talking him/her with you makes it fun and easy! With this program your and your horse will look and feel amazing! You will have less soreness and injuries too!

·        One other equine helpful hint before tacking up and then after you ride; you should carefully run your hand from the knee or hock to the hoof on all four legs feeling any heat, swelling, bumps, scraps ex. You can catch any small change and politice or treat whatever you find. You can also make temporary adjustments to your work so something small doesn’t turn into something big. We find it helpful to keep a journal containing the weather, time of day, type of work we did , how it went and anything we felt important good and bad.

I truly hope the information I share enriches your life in some way!!!
Sincerely, John

Less is more!

About a year ago we had a 19 year old Oldenburg mare  given to my husband and I. She had show to Prix St. George, but schooled all the FEI movements well.

I had previously known this mare, as I was the barn manager at the large farm where she was boarded. During my time there she did have a few soundness problems, but was not on any medications other then bute every other day.  

But when she stepped off the trailer and the owner handed me her smartpacs, my eyes all most fell out! She was spending over 300 dollars a month! The thought process for them was that she may have cushions. Which I never saw any sign of. Blood work was done to confirm my thoughts.

Now don’t get me wrong some of the products that smarkpac carries are helpful, but many of them are just another way to make money.

After about a month of eval, I took her off every supplement and medication. I also switched her to an organic pelleted feed, feeding one pound three times a day, along with free choice hay. And with correct work she became a much sounder and happier horse. Your could see your self in her coat, and she had a wonderfully bright expression! Her muscular system improved greatly and her cycles became much more manageable (ever see a horse piaffe and pee at the same time! No very pleasant)

If you are concerned about the nutrient levels of your horse get blood work done, don’t just guess!

The moral of the story, less is more!

Our purpose in creating this blog is  to help others by sharing what we have learned in our fantastic life. Full of wonderful moments,  not so great moments and every thing in between. John and Petra along with there one year old daughter, Emma Grace live in Northern Virgina, deep in horse country. And with two amazing sons, Grant and Joshua that live North Carolina.
Our hope is to share with you things that we have learned by trail and error, about eating well, saying fit  and your over all health. We also will open a portal for deeper thinking about being more open minded in politics, creed and race. And striving for a sustainable future.
And as we are both professional horsemen, we will share some of our thoughts on training, stable management and veterinary care.
We look forward to helping you!