Monday, June 15, 2009

A Heartfelt Thanks & A Solid Plan...........


First I'd like to thank-you all for your kind words to Stephen with our recent loss. Unfortunately, I had never met Stephen's Dad, but have heard all sorts of warm stories about him. He sounds like he was truly a one of a kind and knowing my Stephen, he really did give Stephen a lot. And all of your words do mean a lot to Steve. Thanks again.
Next, I have come up with a plan for Kola & just because, Misty will be included. I have ordered the Thyro-L which is a supplemental hormone I believe- levothyroxine. This will help Kola's Thyroid to work and help her to lose the weight. I have ordered it through Valley Vet with a prescription and it should be here sometime this week. She will be on it for about two months. About $30 for a one pound of powder.Three to four teaspoons a day to start. Misty will Not get the Thyro-L. I have given the left over 11% grain to the goats and bought a pelleted "Equibalancer" feed for both the girls. I spent an hour on the phone to our local equine nutritionist and decided the Equibalancer would be the right stuff. It costs $18 a 50 pound bag and to get their daily required vitamins they both get 9oz. each twice a day. I started that last week and they both have adjusted easily to the new feed. The feed doesn't cost that much more than what I was paying for the regular grain and this feed will stay the 9oz twice a day year round. I used to up their grain in the winter, so I think the feed costs will equal out throughout the year. And in the winter I will instead up their hay intake, which I normally do anyhow. Right now they are getting a flake of hay two to three times a day. The pasture is closed until I mow it today and Misty will be allowed out. Kola will NOT until she drops the weight. Also the saddle I just bought for Kola, should arrive sometime this week and she will get some exercise. I will lunge her as well, when I don't have a thousand and one chores to do everyday, like today. So that is the feed plan for now. I only hope that this works. I think it will.

9 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

Sounds like you have a plan for the girls that will work. Good luck with it.

Anonymous said...

We use the Equi-balancer for all of our horses (I'm thinking you're using the one from CPI in Wisconsin). For our horses that have trouble keeping on weight in the winter - we do up hay but some can't eat more than a certain amount - so we use senior feed and in some cases beet pulp.

It sounds like you have a good plan!

Callie said...

Yeah, It is from CPI in Wisconsin. It seems like a good feed and better for them. Thanks for the feedback on it, Kate!

Deetz said...

I am sorry to hear of your dad. My mum lost her mum about 5 years ago and she still picks up the phone to call her sometimes and then remembers....We found you through searching for horse blogs. My mum has a horse and so does my daddy too. Anywaz, just wanted to tell you we like your blog and hope we can be pals. My name is Deetz and I am a dog that blogs (my mum has to do the typing for me though, paws don't work well)
Deetzy

LA Nickers said...

Blessings . . . for happier days.

Linda
The Mane Point

WEBSITE DESIGN RAFFLE – THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2009

Callie said...

The thyro-l came today along with my saddle, talk about a plan coming together. Kola recieved her first dose and she liked it. It will be easy to mix with her feed. And the saddle, well that receive it's own post!

photogchic said...

Lets us know how your new feeding program works...I am on the other end of the spectrum...always trying to keep her weight up...man my horse can eat!

Jean said...

OKay! Hope that new saddle works. I will be looking forward to the report.

The feed plan sounds like a good one. Well thought out.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Sounds like some great planning and research has went into all these new changes for your mares. I hope it all goes well and you get the desired effects. :)

~Lisa