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Dove Nutrition FAQ More than a year ago, we decided to upgrade the supplemental feed that we provide to our horse boarding clients. (To clarify, the horses eat the feed, but the humans do remark about how wonderfully fragrant the feed room is!) This started as something that we wanted to do for our personal horses, as we were looking for something BETTER. Dove Nutrition is "Forage Based" unlike many mass-produced feeds As with humans, horse feed is often filled with cheap fillers such as seed oils, which can be highly inflammatory. Dove Nutrition was recommended to us from a great resource of ours, Jennifer Benson, who is a FANTASTIC Equine Chiropractor BTW(more on her later...) After the change, we quickly saw skin and coat improvements with our horses, which led us (and we also felt obligated us)to provide this for all horse boarding clients. The horses love the feed and we have seen some great improvements- in behavior, body composition, skin and coat as well as improvements with health issues such as ulcers. Some clients may be new to Dove feeds, so these are some of the common questions we are often asked. We hope this helps! Q: Is Dove a concentrate grain or a forage replacement? A: Dove is quite unique, and sometimes people new to the feed do get a little confused. Dove feed products are foraged based concentrates. These feeds have the same level of energy as most common pelleted feeds and grains, containing high quality added fat, ranging from 4.5 - 12.5%. At the same time, the first ingredient is alfalfa and provides high quality forage supplementation in the diet. Q: When feeding Dove feeds, should I still feed a commercial grain? A: No, Dove feeds are stand-alone concentrated rations and share the same concept as grains and commercial feeds. The general feed rate is 4-8lbs per day (Simplify, Magnify, & Fortify), along with quality forage. Pro-Tect and ΩMG have low feed rates of 1-5lbs per day. Q: Do I need to add daily nutrition supplements when feeding Dove feeds? A: No, Dove Feeds are fully fortified and balanced with vitamins and chelated minerals. All of the nutrients needed are in the bag. While our ingredient list is short, we provide better nutrition through nutrient dense ingredients. Our formulas contain high quality protein, a great amino acid profile, controlled starches, healthy fats, the highest levels of anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fatty acids, quality mucilage fiber, antioxidants, and pre and probiotics to help the digestive system increase efficiency. Q: What forage is best to feed with Dove Feeds? A: Dove feeds can be fed with all forms of forages, including alfalfa hay and cubes (Dove Forage Cubes are the perfect complement!). This will depend on your preference. When feeding primarily grass hays, Dove feeds allow you to provide plenty of high quality protein from our alfalfa based pellets. Q: Can Dove be fed as a sole ration? A: Yes, some Dove feeds can be fed at higher levels, up to sole ration amounts, whether for convenience or necessity. Simplify, Magnify, and Fortify are flexible enough to meet the fiber and forage needs when fed as a complete feed. For the average horse about 16-18lbs/day is the recommended amount. For a hard keeper or geriatric, higher levels may be needed. Q: Which formulas are best for what ages and classes of horses? A: Dove feeds are designed as optimum nutrition for ALL ages and classes of horses. Whether you have a weanling, broodmare, 2 year old in training, breeding stallion, high performance, or senior horse, Dove feeds have you covered with any formula you choose! Our mission is to provide a place of enjoyment for our small family of Horse Boarders, optimizing your Equine Friend's health through good nutrition and excellent care.

Here at Prosperity Stables/Catawba Equestrian Center, we have created a custom plan to optimize and maintain our pastures for the health of our boarded horses. Below you can see the BEFORE and AFTER photos of our most recent clearing project. This project will enable us to utilize acreage that was formerly in poor condition to provide additional forage and rotational capabilities. BEFORE: Mature trees impeding sunlight; open pasture over-grazed, excessive muck in wet seasons. AFTER: Trees cleared, seeded and fertilized. Ready for grazing in 18 months, allowing for proper pasture rotation. Understanding Pasture Basics To manage equine pastures effectively, you must understand pasture health. This includes identifying the various types of forages, their growth patterns, and how they change with the seasons. A well-cared-for pasture can yield diverse grasses and legumes that supply essential nutrients. For example, fescue grass is high in fiber, making it a suitable option for maintaining digestive health in horses. Additionally, legumes like alfalfa can boost protein intake. The right choice of forage impacts your horse's diet and enhances pasture resilience against pests and diseases. Healthy soil is the foundation of effective pasture management. Conducting regular soil tests can reveal nutrient levels and pH, helping you make necessary amendments. Healthy soil can increase pasture yield by up to 20%, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality forage during growth seasons. Benefits of Pasture Rotation Implementing pasture rotation can greatly improve pasture health and horse nutrition. By rotating horses among different pasture sections, you allow grass to recover after grazing, stimulating root growth. Studies show that pastures managed through rotational grazing can yield 30-50% more forage compared to continuously grazed pastures. Additionally, rotating pastures minimizes overgrazing, which prevents soil degradation and weed proliferation. Allowing certain areas to rest encourages healthier plant growth and enhances overall soil health. Weed Management Strategies Weeds can severely hinder pasture quality by competing with desirable plants for water, light, and nutrients. Effective weed management is essential and can be approached through a mix of mechanical, cultural, and, when necessary, chemical methods. It’s vital to monitor the types of weeds in your pasture. For instance, mushrooms like buttercup can be toxic to horses and should be removed promptly. Strategies such as regular mowing, controlled grazing practices, and reseeding can help you combat weed invasions. Research shows that controlling weeds can enhance forage quality by up to 25%. Nutrient Management and Fertilization To make the most of your pasture, it's important to understand the nutrient needs of different forage plants. Each variety, such as Kentucky bluegrass or clover, has specific nutrient requirements. Addressing these can significantly boost growth and nutrient density. Conducting soil tests reveals any deficiencies. For example, if nitrogen levels are low, applying nitrogen-rich fertilizer can lead to a 50% increase in pasture biomass. Regular fertilization ensures your pasture is healthy enough to sustain your horses and meet their nutritional demands. Water Supply and Accessibility Water is vital for horses, especially in pasture settings. Ensuring that they have constant access to clean and fresh water is essential for their health. Poor water supply can negatively affect grazing behavior and nutritional intake, leading to decreased performance. Consider implementing effective watering systems, such as troughs or natural streams. Regular maintenance is key to keep water sources free from contamination. A study found that horses with constant access to fresh water consume 20% more forage compared to those with limited access. The Role of Grazing Management Grazing management focuses on how and when horses graze. This involves carefully planning grazing periods to prevent overgrazing and ensure optimal forage growth. Timing plays a crucial role – grazing during wet periods helps maintain healthy plants, while allowing them to recover during dry spells supports root development. Implementing a controlled grazing system maximizes the quality and quantity of forage available. Proper grazing can increase average weight gain in horses by 0.5 to 1 pound per day, depending on forage quality. Environmental Considerations Equine pasture management has a direct impact on the environment. Sustainable practices preserve local ecosystems, reduce runoff, and enhance biodiversity. By embracing rotational grazing, minimizing chemical inputs, and promoting native plants, you can maintain ecological balance. Healthy pastures also help mitigate soil erosion, preserving land for future generations. According to environmental studies, improved pasture health can reduce soil erosion by up to 60%. Final Thoughts Maximizing pasture potential through effective management benefits not only horse health but also the environment. By understanding the basics of pasture care, including soil health, grazing management, and water accessibility, horse owners can create a sustainable environment that supports their equine companions. Practices such as rotation grazing, weed management, and appropriate fertilization are essential for thriving pastures. They provide quality nutrition for horses while protecting the environment. Embracing these practices builds a healthier future for both your horses and the land they graze on.

Here at Catawba Equestrian Center, now "Prosperity Stables of Virginia", we have decided to implement the use of hayfeeders for our horse boarding clients.  There are many issues with feeding hay from the ground. BENEFITS of feeding hay in a covered hay feeder include: LESS HAY CONTAMINATION. Keeping equine hay covered and dry drastically decreases the risk of mold growth and contamination. LOWER PARASITE COUNTS Soiling with horse manure and urine is significantly reduced when using a hayfeeder. LESS HAY WASTE (estimated 50%), keeping costs down for the barn and our horse boarding clients. Can incorporate slow-feeding nets which MIMICS MORE NATURAL GRAZING patterns vs large mouthfuls of dry hay. Slower feeding provides improved equine health benefits. MORE EFFICIENT USE OF LABOR PASTURE IMPROVEMENT Hay waste does not spread out all over the pasture, ruining large sections of grass. Limits unintended seeding of weeds to the pasture. REDUCES HAY’S SUN EXPOSURE due to hay spread, which can lessen nutritional value. UNLIMITED ACCESS Ensures clean, fresh hay is available 24/7 instead of feeding hay twice daily. LESS  MESS, reduces muck,  improving hoof health and lowering injury risk to horses, barn staff and boarding clients. REDUCES BOREDOM BEHAVIORS such as cribbing. We have already seen this benefit! ALLOWS CONTINUATION OF 24/7 FREE-ROAMING We are firm believers in free-roaming horses when possible. Our four-legged Boarders certainly agree!