As a couple others have mentioned... Sugar is not good for horses... or us for that matter but who can resist?... lol... It does sound like your new horse may have a sugar intolerance... The website hoss suggested, www.safegrass.org is a really great informational website... I would be extremely cautious of beetpulp if theres any suspicion of a sugar intolerance as beet pulp is a byproduct of the making of sugar from sugarbeets.... And as others have mentioned.. horses have lived healthy long lives for yrs without grain or sweetfeeds....good quality grass with good vitamin/mineral suppliment is usually adequate for a non working horse... BUT I totally understand your wanting him to have a grain feed when all the other horses get some... I personally love whole oats when grain is needed or wanted. And heres a tip that might help.. because as I understand your post.. he does not need the feed you just want him to not be left out.... When you give him the oats.... put some hay in his feed bucket first... then just scatter in a small handful of oats.... It will take him as long to pick out the oats from the hay as it takes the other horses to eat their larger quantities and he will be satisfied he is getting his desert along with everyone else and you will feel like you've satisfied his need to be pampered... everyone wins.

CGW go to safergrass.org alot of yer questions can be answered. Horses have survived on grass only since the begining of time. Many of the problems I encounter in my work are from to much of the wrong feed, be it phistes in foals, behavere or founder. The feed store man is not a nutritinlast but a sales man. Your vet should be able to answer you questions. Good luck Hoss

Like shoo said I certainly would not feed him alfalfa if he is to hot either . There is a grain called " meadowherbs" in it thru herbs it helped them relax .I think it worked wonders on my mare when we were down south off season. she was extremly high strung and only got a handful of feed good luck

I am trying the crimped oats now. He is not underweight so he doesn't really need feed, but it's hard to feed all the other horses and not him. Alfalfa also made him pretty hot due to high protein, so he is on coastal hay and no alfalfa. I am hoping crimped oats, hay and maybe beet pulp will do it. I heard that you have to wet the beet pulp or it will take mositure from the gut.

CGW, My horse has cushings so I have done some research on keeping his sugar intake down. I would recommend you try a Nutrena Life Design Prime 10. It a pelleted feed with 10% protein but is low on sugar. I fed it to my horse for years and he did fine on it. I wouldn't think you want to feed alfalfa. It has too much protein and will make your horse get wounded up. It sounds like he doesn't need anymore energy. Hope this helps. Double

I would feed crimped oats and beet pulp if you are needing to put weight on. Plus for hay either alfalfa or an alfalfa mix. I would also feed my beet pulp dry mixed in with his oats. He will eat it that way... You dont have to wet beet pulp to feed it. Or maybe try a pelleted feed we do feed a 14% pelleted feed to the broodmares to keep them fat. I just feed my gelding crimped oats and brome hay... and he is really fat... and isnt hot at all... If you have any questions just ask me and I will try and help the best I can

Marcia : If he truly needs the extra protien because of hard work , I would try some alfalfa pellets. Is he underweight ? I have also used calf mana with alfalfa pellets. The stuff smells like licqorish (sp) and they love it . Althought I use a little sweet feed as a treat, horses really dont use or should not use sugar. Steve

My new horse seems to have an intolerance to feed -- even the smallest amount. Artemis is a young, healthy 7 year old TWH, with lots of energy, but off feed, he is more calm and less spooky. I've tried him on Safe and Sound first but it was too high in protein and fat. Now he is on Golden Performer which is 10% protein, 3%fat. He was only getting 2 cups (or about a half of coffee can) in the am, and the other half at night, but 5 minutes after he eats, he becomes extremely alert, hot, and spooky. The other horses on the ranch all get fed feed or grain, so I want to be able to give him something at feeding time. Tonight I tried Crimped Oats with a few handfuls of feed to help make the transition. (I also have heard Beet Pulp as an another idea.) He seemed much less agitated this evening. Has anyone heard of this type of extreme reaction to feed, and/or possible intolerance to sugar? What suggestions does everyone have as an alternative other than just moving him to a hay only diet, which may be the way I will ultimately have to go. Thanks, CGW