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Soak your feed first? Maybe not

September 8, 2006 12:50 am

T HERE HAVE ALWAYS been conflicting opinions on the treatment of wheat bran and beet pulp prior to feeding it. Most people subscribe to the theory that both must be soaked in water before feeding to your horse. However, Stephen G. Jackson, of Kentucky Equine Research in Versailles, Ky., doesn't believe soaking is absolutely necessary.

Wheat bran has been thought to have a laxative or mild cathartic effect, but research has not proven this. While wheat bran is high in fiber, oats and hay are higher.

The only significant advantage that Jackson could find in soaking wheat bran prior to feeding it was to increase your horse's water intake. This could be particularly helpful during cold weather when horses drink less water. Wheat bran soaked in hot water and fed warm is very appealing to most horses during cold weather.

It is believed that beet pulp must be soaked to prevent it from swelling from saliva absorption in the esophagus or stomach causing choking or gastric rupture. However, Jackson contends that since many commercially available feeds contain beet pulp which are fed dry, then shredded beet pulp is probably safe to feed without soaking. The important word here is probably, since he goes on to say that it is better to be safe than sorry, so add a little water.

Note:

An Equine Yard Sale to benefit the Stafford County Stablemates 4-H Horse and Pony Club is Sept. 30, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Double L Tack Shop.

Tables are available to rent for $10. Rent proceeds go directly to the Stablemates 4-H club. Proceeds from the sale of your items goes directly to your pocket.

There will also be a silent auction at 12:30 and raffles throughout the day.

For more information contact Wendy Taylor at 540/903-9973 or Meghan Thompson at
Email: quarterhorsechick@cox.net.

Show Results Hazelwild, Sept 3

Pre short stirrup champion: Alex Meyers; reserve: Emma Swenser.

Short stirrup champion: Haley Chemelewski; reserve: Emily Wright.

Student equitation champion: Ashley Keene; reserve: Chelsea Griffen.

Pleasure pony champion: Picturesque Mocha Latte, r/April Sautter, o/Kristy Wilworth; reserve: Just Because, r/Meagan Meyers, o/HWF.

Green pony champion: Simplicity, r/ A. Sautter, o/K. Wilworth; reserve: Lucky Duck, r/A. Keene, o/HWF.

Pony hunter champion: Picturesque Mocha Latte, r/A. Sautter, o/K. Wilworth; reserve: Hidden Springs Woodstar, o/r Robyn Burton.

Pleasure horse adult champion: White Logic, o/r Susan Flores; reserve: De Ja Vu, o/r Caryn Molands.

Pleasure horse junior champion: Silverado, o/r Alyssa Kaufman; reserve: Baboo, o/r Taylor Kalkenstine.

Maiden champion: Windsor Blue, o/r Diana Scheider; reserve: De Ja Vu, o/r C. Molands.

Green champion: Independence, r/ Unie Traylor, o/Cedar Knoll Farm; reserve: Skye's the Limit, o/r Paige Ganger.

Low champion: Oliver Twist, r/Katelyn Rice, o/HWF; reserve: Mainway's Harlequin, r/Kate Totora, o/Molly Judge.

Children's champion; Rheinland's Spring, o/r Katherine McDonnell; reserve; Sir Maximus, o/r Alyssa Berfield.

Adult champion; Oliver Twist, r/ K. Rice, o/HWF; reserve: Romantic Pretense, o/r Jennifer Turner.

Working champion: Rescue Me, r/ Chelsie Liming, o/Margaret Ray; reserve: App-Solutely, o/r Kayleigh Burke.

The Forrest Linton Memorial Classic

First: Jennifer Turner; second: Paige Ganger; third: Jordan hall; fourth: Anna Osborn.

Pony equitation winner: Robyn Burton.

Childrens/Adult equitation winner: Katherine McDonnell.

Leadline winner: Elizabeth Mueller.

Calendar

Today-Sunday: VADA Dressage at Rose Mount; Old Dominion Morgans, VHC

Saturday: Hunter Lane; TWA Short Circuit, Woodbridge; Oak View; Warrenton Hunter Series; Nokesville Park hunter show; Cedar Run Dressage.

Saturday-Sunday: Fox Chase; Seneca Valley HT

Sunday: Amber Hill; Lake of the Woods; Quad J; Hollow Oaks; Equilibrium Dressage; Va. HT Starter, VHC; Silver Star Pleasure show

Sept. 12-16: Erik Herbermann Dressage Clinic at Equilibrium

Sept. 14-17: Md. "A" rated Horse and Pony show, Prince Georges

Sept. 15-17: Va. 4-H Championships, VHC

Sept. 16: TWA BHSA at EKG; Summer place; Oak Hill; Deep Run; Cedar Run Dressage; MDA show at Rose Mount

Sept. 16-17: VADA/NOVA Recognized at Morven Park

Sept. 17: VAHA at Rose Mount, Touch Point Dressage and CT; Fair Hill International HT; Elysian Hills HT; Touch Point CT

Sept. 18: VAHA at Wakefield

Sept. 20-25: Middleburg Classic "A" show

Sept. 21-24: N. American Pleasure Gaited championships, VHC

Sept. 23: Coventry; Summerhill

Sept. 24: Kelly's Ford; Summerduck; Back to Basics; VADA/NOVA at Willow Way; PWHA Western show

Sept. 26-Oct. 1: Dressage at Devon

Sept. 27-30: Amer. Saddlebred show, VHC

Sept. 27-Oct. 1: USGPL Finals "A" Commonwelath Park

Sept. 30: Summerplace; Fox Chase; Stillmeadow; Capital Challenge and Grand Prix; Hollins University show

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Middleburg HT.

BETSY CARTER can be reachedat The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401 or by fax at 540/373-8455.





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