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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Continuing this blog

Dear horse owners,

I know that many of you are enjoying reading the posts to this blog and I would like to continue offering it.  But, I need your opinion.

Very few comments come in each month, and those who do write are seeking a response from me. While I appreciate your trust in what I have to say, I also know that there are many of you who have wonderful advice to offer to the horse owner who is starting out on this "free-choice forage feeding" journey.

When I started this blog, it was with eager anticipation that it would become a support venue for those who are struggling to get it right, as well as a place where folks could come to share their success stories and receive support and congratulations.  I would love for it to continue. But I need more participation.

Should I close down this blog and perhaps choose another venue (such as my previous "Ask the Nutritionist Forum" on my website or on Facebook)?  I originally gave these other venues my consideration but I didn't want the responses to come just from me and so a blog, I thought, would be a better approach.

What is your opinion? 

In appreciation,

Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.
www.GettyEquineNutrition.com

11 comments:

  1. Hi Juliet,

    In my humble opinion you are the expert and it is smart of people to want to engage with you directly. You may get wider viewing for this topic if you post suggestions to your website periodically. I have occasionally overlooked the forum postings in my inbox somehow, but when I want to research a question I definitely go thru your library. I am only now reading some blogs from the summer. Also, if someone's blog posting is not my issue or is very long, I sometimes quickly read and move on, not because I dont' want to be supportive but more because we all have time crunches we are trying to manage.

    BTW, we now have a pony -- yes a pony -- who leaves food in the slow feeder, often prefers the slow feeder to the loose we also give routinely, and is at optimum weight. And this, from a foundered pony when we got her 2 yrs ago. So I am a super-fan of free forage with the right kind of hay/grass, plus adequate exercise and nutritional supplements. Please keep on with your great work in whatever form you choose to continue.

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    1. Greetings Jennamom,

      I can appreciate your perspective. Blogs are not as popular as they once were -- there just aren't enough hours in the day. Plus we are all bombarded with so much information, that we have to be selective to where we give our attention.

      Big congratulations on bringing your pony around to good health! You are to be commended!

      Best to you,

      Juliet Getty

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  2. Hi Dr. Getty,

    I enjoy reading the blog, but am not one to share my limited knowledge, as I’m new to horses and still soaking up what you’ve written in your books. I do hope you choose a venue other than Facebook (although I know it’s wildly popular), as I do not do Facebook. Yes, I still live somewhat in the 20th century. Fortunately, my horse did not come with a password. I do back him up regularly though. ;)

    Thank you for writing Feed Your Horse Like A Horse , and the TeleSeminar Series. I am reading as fast as I can!

    Judy

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    Replies
    1. Greetings Judy,

      You make me smile! A lot of folks don't spend much time on Facebook (me, included) -- it can be a terrible time sponge!

      I will be continuing to write articles for Forage for Thought and new Spotlight books. Look for a new one coming out early next year!

      Best to you,
      Juliet Getty

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  3. Hi Dr Getty,

    I have contributed a few times to this blog. I have found it to be very helpful, but also a bit of an advertisement for the freedom feeder. This has put me off from contributing more. Perhaps your previous Ask the Nutritionist forum would be a better venue.

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    Replies
    1. Greetings (I do not have your name),

      Thank you so much for your feedback. Since there has not been a great deal of input to this forum, the comments from Melissa Auman of Freedom Feeder, have stood out. And I can appreciate how you might think they were an advertisement for her feeders. But that was truly not the case -- she has done an incredible job of helping horses and hoped to offer the benefit of her experience.

      There are many slow feeder systems on the market, and I would have welcomed input from other companies. But, alas, I have no control over that. I hope Melissa's comments were helpful and that they could be applied to a variety of feeding arrangements.

      I may consider opening up the Ask the Nutritionist forum once again. However, when I had that forum, I did not have my books available, which answer a multitude of questions.

      Thank you again. And I hope you'll continue to keep me posted on how your horses are doing.

      Best wishes,

      Juliet Getty

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  4. Thank you for the great information. I'm not a horse owner yet, just an eager learner.
    Debbie

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  5. Oh, NO! I just got my first Freedom Feeder, have feed with slow feeders before....but not as free choice. I was so hoping to find the blog here...and active.

    First fill of the feeder, after horses had been on free choice (and wasting a lot of hay) for 2 weeks. I remember the "moment of balance" when they had enough and stood looking at me with wonderment when I put out their morning hay. "Oh, thanks, but we're not hungry right now." Sweet!

    So I write....hoping there is somewhere where I can learn more...and contribute what I have learned. Thanks in advance.

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    1. Hello Sandy,

      I just noticed your posting on this blog and my sincere apologies, but I am no longer corresponding with folks via this medium. You are welcome to post a question on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gettyequinenutrition or directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com

      Best wishes,
      Juliet Getty

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  6. I just discovered your blog through a Back Country Horsemen of America post on Facebook. Enjoyed reading! I am a strong believer in "free choice forage". I have a horse, who has had chronic, unpredictable episodes of diarrhea for years. May I consult with you on what the vet has tested for, the horse's lifestyle, diet, etc.? I am not finding any solutions.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Christine,

      I just noticed your posting on this blog and my sincere apologies, but I am no longer corresponding with folks via this medium. You are welcome to post a question on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gettyequinenutrition or directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com

      Best wishes,
      Juliet Getty

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