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BS JI SM A NS oe ln Rta fra Ba ------------------------------ gi ---- ------ -- dis hd - white-coated "WEEKEND STAR" GAT AU IIIIWY FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2001 -19 MISCONCEPTIONS SEEN BY A CEMENTHEAD by ban irin The Wizard of the Microscopic was excited. The guru of hidden secrets even left her "real folks" boots just outside - the lab. They sat there as a testament to the Great One's recent venture into the mud on the ground, chat beside the feed room world of horse owners. Dr. I.M. Inacloud wasn't quite ready to sit down with the plain folks and have a burger instead of the usual potato soup, but her research now had an attachment to real situa- tions and real horses. "So, tell me, my con- crete noggin friend, about common miscon- ceptions and old fat hus- bands tales out there in the field." (She still needs to work on her people skills) I couldn't help but smile, but this was a chance to educate the genius about some of the infor- mation or misinforma- tion, I encounter day to day amongst well inten- tioned horse owners. 1) "My horse is having trou- ble keeping weight on, so I have him on a 16% now." Undoubtedly, confusing protein percentage with the actual energy or calo- rie value of a feed is the most common mistake | see. While protein can be a source of calories, the main sources are car- bohydrates and fat. For example, adding soy or corn oil, whole fat beans, or flax to an 11% ration has little effect on pro- tein but adds quite a few calories per pound to that feed. Conversely, a 16% protein ration can be relatively low in calories depending on the fat content. AGRIMETAL » BADGER 57 )Y VAN 8 SC RISSLER Also Carrying ol = (0 | \N [CW {0 212] SI 2 JY Vay RN V/A of =f = = = 153 AVE E1ol [sR dal (e]Wle]a! 24 hour service Authorized Dealer Gordon L. Corner R.R.#1, OR EVEN Ol Elie Phone 655-3177 Stouffville Branch 905-640-1550 1-800-355-2168 Kentucky Show Time STOUFFVILLE CO-OP FEEDS QUALITY PERFORMANCE FEEDS 12% Profein & 14% Protein Corn Oil Added Chelated Minerals and Yeast . Very Palatable and Consistent Tack Shop and Supplies e Great Prices, Good Selection » Everything for the horse and Horse Owner Uxbridge Branch 905-852-3321 1-800-355-2072 Photo Finish 2) "lI didn't want my colt growing too fast, so 1 only fed a little oats." Anyone who raises foals, wants to avoid the heartache of DOD (Developmental Orthopedic Disease). This is a term for a num- ber of problems related to uneven growth. The key seems to be moder- ate growth, using a bal- anced ration with ade- quate minerals and vita- mins in the proper ratios. This could include whole grains like! oats, with a properly formulated supplement, but I would suggest trusting the feeds formulated specifi- cally for growth, and monitor the foals through monthly taping. 3) "Alfalfa hay is better for horses." I disagree with this for several reasons. Alfalfa typically has a crude pro- tein content or 17 or 18% or higher. - This is way in excess of the needs of any horse, other than ° lactating broodmares. Secondly, alfalfa has high calcium content relative to phos- phorus. This makes it practically impossible to b a | a n c¢c e a ration with the ideal cal:phos ratio or 1.5 to 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus (very impor- tant for growing horses). Finally, the fiber in grassy hay is superior to the fiber in alfalfa. This is important for the mainte- nance of a healthy lower. gut. My advice is to leave the alfalfa for the. dairy farmers and find some good, clean timothy, brome or mixed hay. 4) "I already feed ground flax (and / or soybeans)." With a stabilized whole 02 dd in Wer ANP F Nk flax based supplement now available, (see inside front cover), this comment is heard even from some feed dealers. What they are talking about is flaxseed meal or linseed meal (oilcake), not whole grain flaxseed. Similarly, soybean meal is not the same as whole fat soybeans. Linseed and soymeal are by- products of removing the oil from the whole flaxseed or soybean. [From a nutritional point of view, the energy is mainly in the oil. Whole flaxseed has an ener content 69% higher than) the remaining meal onc the oil is removed. For a horse in need or calories, that is a huge benefit. The same equation holds true for soymeal vs. whole fat soybeans. - I was barely started, but the girl genius had heard enough. "Carry on. my cement headed friend. I am off to fortify myself with potato soup and alfalfa sprouts, after which I will uncover the mystery of unsaturating the oil in coconuts using elongase and delta- 5 desaturase." I had no idea what he was talking about, but I had some satisfaction in knowing that whatever. mysteries she uncovered," my challenge and yours will be the same. At one end you have the feed bucket. At the other end you usually have a pile of *$%#6. What stands between the two ought to look good, feel good, not smell all that bad, whin- ny when you come in, and shine like a newly minted goldpiece. Life is pretty simple, don't you think? BISA | BEST IN SHOW AWARDS | IN | BEST IN SHOW AWARDS | AWARDS Manufacturers of Custom Show Ribbon Awards Prestige Awards & Gifts Insignia, Jewellery Advertising Specialities Imprinted Sportswear EEE € Trophies, Plaques, Medals 27 WINONA DRIVE STOUFFVILLE, ONTARIO L4A 3A1 Tel: (905) 642-1161 Fax: (905) 642-1162 Int: www.bisa-awards.com AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PRODUCTS FOR SHOWS. COMMUNITY & CORPORATE EVENTS Brushes - Pails - Shampoo - Fly Spray - Horse Feeds - 7) Nylon Halters Before you buy give us a try! 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