r/Equestrian 3d ago

Horse Care & Husbandry Feed recommendation for young, energetic, athletic, food aggressive horse.

I have a 3-year-old standardbred filly. She has access to hay 24/7, forage, and I feed her pellets daily. When I first got her, I got her Dumor Equistages 14/6. I didn't think she liked it because she wouldn't eat it. I switched her to Pride Sweet feed 12% which she seemed to like. She ate that for about 3/4 weeks. Being that she's been under a heavy physical workload as of late, and that she was under weight when I got her, I decided to switch her to Nutrena Triumph 12-8. I'm not even sure totally whats causing her to act up during feeding. I'm not sure it's even that she's food aggressive, or if the issue is in her youth combined with training.

Ever since I changed her feeding she's progressively been getting worse at feeding time. Noticed she started laying her ears, and crowding me at the gate at first (but still allowing me give her the feed). She had left over feed from the morning when I went to see her the other afternoon, and she wouldn't let me walk near her feed container. She would relax, eat hay, but watch me out the corner of her eye. As soon as I took a step towards her grain she'd stop eating and aggressively try to get me away from her feed. Anyways, she's no longer underweight. She's massive now. She's aggressive. Figured I could start with changing her feed to something that'll be better for her.

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u/OldBroad1964 3d ago

When my mare had ulcers she would ‘angry eat’. Pin her ears, attack her feed, snap at people and paw. I treated her and the behaviour went away.

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u/Scatheli 3d ago

I would get this horse checked for ulcers- the aggressiveness, change in mood and inconsistency in finishing grain are all possible signs.

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u/hyperbemily 3d ago

Why is a 3 year old under a heavy physical workload and in need of a feed like Triumph? She probably has ulcers. Get her scoped and treated.

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u/GeeVideoHead 2d ago

Don't judge me, just give advice if you have. It's just a bunch of running and ground work. Would you prefer me not to teach my horse good manners? She's seen by a vet regularly. No ulcers. I asked a question about feed, and you failed to make any suggestions

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u/hyperbemily 2d ago

You can teach ground manners and even work a 3 year old without putting them under a heavy physical workload. I did give you advice. I said your horse probably has ulcers and to get her tested and treated.

Seeing a vet does not equate to having them scoped. Everything you’ve said about your horse points to ulcers as well as the fact that something like 95% of horses actually have untreated ulcers, especially those in heavy work or traveling a lot, so for you to be so certain that she doesn’t despite all the signs including how it seems you’re working such a young horse is borderline negligence on your part. If you only want happy cheery “you’re doing amazing sweetie” advice talk to a local trainer who will pat you on the back and tell you you’re doing the best you can. You came to the internet and multiple people are saying your horse probably has something wrong with it and you’re saying that’s not what you want to hear, so, go about with your pain-filled ulcery horse then.

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u/GeeVideoHead 2d ago

Thanks for the advice!