Dr. Valentine-

I have been reading the advice on adding oil to my horses feed. Here is my question: you are saying 2 cups of oil per day. I am using Cocosoya and their instructions say feed at a rate of 2 ounces per day. Is the difference in amounts fed due to the type of oil? Which is correct?

Thanks-
Elizabeth

There is no difference in the fat content of the different plant based oils. All are virtually 100% digestible fat and so are fed at the same amounts. The companies that market fat supplements for horses are being very conservative in their label instructions, but of course they are not aiming to prevent or treat muscle problems, which is where my recommendations come from. If your horses have no signs of muscle issues you may only need 1 to 1.5 cups oil per day to maintain good health. But, if you have draft related or Quarter horse related horses, aiming for the closest to 2 cups oil per 1000 lbs of horse per day as you can (without causing excess weight gain) would be my best advice.

Two ounces is for "normal" horses as a supplement. EPSM horses need two CUPS (16 ounces) per 1,000 pounds of horse to keep them healthy and alive. All oils are fed in the same amounts. They are all the same--1oo% fat.

You'll want to try something a wee bit cheaper if you have an EPSM horse! A lot of us get 5 gallon jugs of soy oil (also called vegetable or salad oil depending on the packager) at discount clubs like Costco or Sam's--about $30 currently.

I have noticed the big price increase of oil lately, that you would think it was coming from the same oil increase we use for gas in cars!!
But I have found a local grocery store in Kentucky that sells oil in 48 oz jugs for $2.79/. So, I stocked up on that, instead of the gallons and the 35lbs that I use to pay at Sams. Plus, no tax on food there.(I live in TN.) So, I was excited to find this (thanks to my hubby). becki