I thought it would be interesting to list what some of the items I choose to feed my adopted senior horses and where I purchase them from ;) They all have access to high quality grass hay year round (orchard and bermuda grass).
Francis: 28 year old Percheron gelding (adopted September 2009)
Bucket meal carrier: Triple Crown Safe Starch Chopped Forage: http://www.bonniesbarnyard.com/
Pre-Cushing's/Laminitis prevention: Balance EQ: http://www.gettyequinenutrition.com/
Joint & Coat Supplement: Grand Complete Ultra: http://www.smartpakequine.com/grand-complete-ultra-4661p.aspx
Digestive Health: Equine Zyme's by Earth Song Ranch: http://www.earthsongranch.com/Equine-Zyme-2p225.htm
Mary: 25 year old Standardbred mare (adopted September 2009)
Bucket meal: Triple Crown Lite: Bonnie's Barnyard http://www.triplecrownfeed.com/feeds/equine-supplement-lite-formula-equinesupplement
Anti-Inflammatories: MSM, White Willow Bark
Calming Herbs: Chamomile, Passionflower
Siegfried: 22 year old Percheron gelding (adopted June 2010)
Bucket Meal: Triple Crown Lite: Bonnie's Barnyard http://www.triplecrownfeed.com/feeds/equine-supplement-lite-formula-equinesupplement
Laminitis Issues: Laminex: http://www.gettyequinenutrition.com/
Essential Fatty Acids: Chia Seeds: http://equinechia.com/about
Digestive Health: Equine Zyme's by Earth Song Ranch: http://www.earthsongranch.com/Equine-Zyme-2p225.htm
Slim 22 y/o Percheron gelding (adopted December 2011)
Bucket Meal: Triple Crown Lite: Bonnie's Barnyard http://www.triplecrownfeed.com/feeds/equine-supplement-lite-formula-equinesupplement
Joint/Anti-Inflammatory: MSM
Buddy 11 y/o Percheron (adopted December 2011)
Bucket Meal: Triple Crown Safe Starch
Calming: MMX: http://www.gettyequinenutrition.com/
Anti-Inflammatory: MSM and Custom Herbal Blend by Ferrell Hollow Farm
I also use single herbs and/or prepare custom herbal preparations based on their individual conditions at any given time, as well as use a variety of homeopathic remedies. During fly season, I add raw apple cider vinegar, diatomaceous earth and organic granulated garlic to their meals.
Please visit the links for more information about these products that I have chosen for my senior horses, and patronize them if you too have such a need. Francis, Mary, Siegfried, Slim and Buddy now spend their days in retirement being loved and pampered :)
Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. For more information, visit her website at www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or email her at cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com.
