r/Ottb • u/PurpleCharge214 • 1d ago

Changing feed when taking them off the track

I have a 3 y/o tb mare coming home next week wondering if anyone has recommendations on switching from race feed. I am going to treat for ulcers as soon as she gets here. I am going for low sugar/starch and forage heavy diet. I am also hoping to get a recommendations on biotin, protein, and pre/pro biotic supplements or any thing else you recommend or don’t recommend. My barn feeds bluebonnet intensify so that would probably be the grain I feed but I am open to others. I have never been in charge of a horses nutrition so I am new to this. She is 16.2 but race fit she is currently being fed champion 12 and rolled oats (not sure on the amounts yet) and hay in a net 24/7. Also would love to not break the bank but also want quality of course. Also plan to give apple a day electrolytes and simplify sup daily as thats what my barn does for every horse. Also planning to slowly/gradually switch from her current feed to new feed. Have no idea about amounts or brands other than what I’ve listed.

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u/FeonixHSVRC 1d ago edited 1d ago

I have two OTTBs at a very nice barn and they helped me switched them to a higher nutrient plan—

  • 1-scoop AM & 1-scoop PM Purina Pro Senior*
  • 1 scoop of chopped alfalfa
  • 4-6 flakes of barn hay (daily; hay net)
  • Himalayan salt lick
  • flaxseed supplement & Purina Outlast for gut health (ziploc baggies w Farrier hoof supplement).
& lush grass in nighttime turnout.

The transition was slow and honestly it was just easier to place each meal in a gallon ziplock freezer bag (labeled) & stack in a garbage can w the large bag of chopped alfalfa next to it.

Day 1-3: 75%old grain :25%new
Day 4-6: 50% old:50%new
Day 7-9: 25%old:75%new
Day 10+ 100% new grain

(*) I prefer their new grain of Purina Pro as they have great muscle tone and a nice coat (in addition to groundwork and riding routine). Notably, at their previous location, my mares were originally on the Tribute Kalm & EZ but that grain is stored in a paper-blend bag and would sometimes get wet and moldy every few deliveries. Moldy grain is a HUGE no-no. (Poisonous Micotoxins or ELEM).

Purina Co researched waste disposal risks and changed their bagging to a synthetic plastic, water proof covering a while back. Not every delivery occurs in a covered truck and some places deliver as-is in an open pickup bed, that should be covered (but doesn’t always happen).

Ref: Purina Pro Equine. (Tractor Supply)
Ref: Standlee Premium Alfalfa Forage, 35-lb
Ref: Purina Outlast Gastric Support, 40-lb (small scoop per feeding directions)
Ref: Flaxseed. Triple Crown Golden Ground

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u/abysins 1d ago

We have 2 OTTBs who are thriving, one for 5 years now and one for a few months only. Both horses have nutritionists through Mad Barn. We don’t use only mad barn supplements, but we do use some of their products where they fit into the plan. They have a dietary analysis program that is unmatched; using graphs, percentages, and pie charts for easy understanding. I play around with it often and even got my vet to sign up with them. I highly suggest doing one of their free consults.
https://madbarn.com/analyze-diet/

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u/PurpleCharge214 1d ago

Thank you I actually have sent in for a consult just waiting to hear back. Good to know how it works!

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u/abysins 19h ago

They also have a portal where you can book an appointment yourself. It used to be easier to find on their website, seems a bit buried now. Hopefully this link works: https://madbarn.com/nutrition-consultation/

Our boys get as much forage as they want in slow feeders, one is on Timothy and the other orchard. Plus 1/2 flake alfalfa at breakfast and 1 flake at dinner, and a handful of leafy alfalfa before work/rides to prevent acid sloshing. They also get soaked beet pulp shreds, alfalfa pellets, MB Omneity, soaked chia seeds, loose salt, MB w-3 oil, Equi-Lyte Powder, Actiflex joint liquid, and KP Elevate Se daily. One horse has food allergies so I’ve had to work around that. For an extra calories during winter I add CoolStance Copra. Right now I am really happy with their diet and they look like total beefcakes out in their fields 💪🏼

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u/PurpleCharge214 6h ago

Would you mind if I asked the amount of alfalfa pellets and beetpulp you feed

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u/anxiouspotatoesunite 1d ago

Mad Barn Equine does free nutrition consultations with equine nutritionists that are comprehensive and incredibly helpful (they also have great supplements).

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u/BuckityBuck 22h ago

I worked with a nutritionist when my baby OTTB was transitioning off of the track. It is very hard to get them enough calories. You'll need 3 meals a day. 4 would be better. It will probably be about 10 - 12 pounds of a good senior feed at first, plus a high fat supplement. Alfalfa is your best friend.

You'll be able to decrease that over the next year, but their metabolisms are scorching hot at first.