Frequently Asked Questions

Platform Feeds

1. There are other premium feeds on the market – why should I use Farnam’s?
Farnam recognizes that every horse has different nutritional needs based on age, exercise level and individual dietary requirements. That’s why we’ve created the Platform Feeding System. It allows horse owners to select an appropriate, premium feed and, if needed, targeted supplements to address specific problems without the possible harmful effects and waste of over-supplementation.

2. How do I know which of the four Platform lifestyle feeds is best for my horse?
Since good hay can adequately meet the caloric needs of many maintenance horses, note that the energy needs imparted by light riding can be met with roughly one pound of Platform Sport & Performance Horse Feed (or Platform Pleasure Horse Feed) per day. Many horses are overfed because their energy needs are overestimated. And some hard-working horses that are labeled as “hard-keepers” may simply be underweight because they are being underfed for the sport they are pursuing. For more information on building individual nutrition for your horse, go to builddiet.htm.

3. When should I feed Platform Mare and Foal Horse Feed?
Until about the eighth month, the average broodmare will fare quite well on Platform Pleasure Horse Feed and a good quality forage. Starting on Platform Mare and Foal Horse Feed at month 8 supports the growth of the developing fetus while preparing the mare for the demanding onslaught of lactation. The nutrient demands of the very young foal are also high. By the age of two months, the mare’s milk alone can no longer meet the energy needs of the growing foal and high-quality supplemental nutrition is necessary. Platform Mare and Foal Horse Feed can be fed to the growing foal thru 18-24 months of age.

4. What is meant by “complete feed”? Is Platform Senior Horse Feed a complete feed?
A complete feed can be fed as the sole ration and is capable of maintaining life and/or promoting production without any additional substance being consumed except water. Platform Senior Horse Feed meets these requirements and can be fed as the sole source of both roughage and concentrate in the horse’s diet, with no additional hay or pasture required.

 5. Will Platform Sport & Performance Horse Feed, or any of your formulas, make my horse “hot”?
Too much starchy carbohydrate can make the horse susceptible to colic and founder, as well as producing that “hot” effect on temperament in some horses. Higher fat diets tend to result in calmer horses with greater endurance and are a good option for horses prone to colic, founder and insulin-resistance. Keep in mind that fiber is a form of carbohydrate, and horses require both fibrous carbohydrates and some “starchy” carbohydrates in their diet for optimal gut function and Sport & Performance. Again, when someone says they want a “low-carb” diet for their horse, what they really mean is a “low-starch/sugar” diet. The Platform Feeds have been developed with more complex carbohydrates, fat and fiber and less simple sugars and starches than sweet feeds.

6. Can any horse be fed Platform Senior Horse Feed, or is it just for older horses?
Platform Senior Horse Feed is a premium complete feed designed for the aging horse, but may be fed to horses of all ages. It has a moderate level of protein supplementation with supplementary lysine to support the needs of aging horses. At 6% fat, it provides energy without resorting to high carbohydrates. Feeding horses with insulin resistance or Cushing’s disease can be very difficult. The higher fat and lower sugar and starch in the Platform Senior Horse Feed make it an excellent choice when formulating rations for these horses. At 19% fiber, with some of that coming from beet pulp, this feed can be fed as the sole diet – no hay or pasture is necessary. It is high in vitamins E, C, and the B complex to augment the aging digestive system. The Platform Senior Horse Feed pellet is a little softer to make chewing easier for old teeth and digestion easier for old bodies. As a feed rich in a variety of fibers, this product is also an excellent choice for horses prone to colic or founder.

7. I hear that Platform Feeds use unique ingredients; what are they and why are they in the formula?
Every Platform Feed includes:

• Flaxseed – rich in omega-3 fatty acids essential for optimal immune function as well as skin and coat condition
• Beet pulp – an excellent source of soluble fiber to aid in digestibility
• Distiller’s grains – an excellent and very palatable source of protein and fat
• Stabilized rice bran – a highly palatable source of fatty acids
• Antioxidants – fat-soluble and water-soluble forms help maximize cell integrity
• Chelated minerals – a combination of essential minerals and amino acids (protein) for greater absorption
• Yeast supplement – supports a healthy digestive environment and enables better utilization of feed and forage
• Natural tocopherols – provide more complete antioxidant activity than synthetic vitamin E alone.

8. Should my horse still get additional roughage (fiber) in its diet, or are the Platform Feeds sufficient?
Platform Senior Horse Feed may be fed as the sole source of roughage in the horse's diet; the other Platform Feed formulas require 50-60% roughage in the diet.

9. Will my horse eat it?
All of the Platform Feed formulas have been shown to be very palatable.

10. Are the formulations up to date?
The feeds and equine health supplements are unique and scientifically formulated by expert equine nutritionists based on the latest, up-to-date research and have been designed to be lower in non-structural carbohydrates and higher in fiber than other feeds. Platform’s foundation of premium specialty ingredients is the basis for its unique approach to nutrition. Each of these ingredients has been chosen for its specific contribution to the overall nutritional profile of the feed. These ingredients appear in all of the feeds. Optimal levels of nutrients ensure that most horses are getting all that they need from their chosen Platform feed.

11. Who is using it?
Patty Stoval, Hugh Graham, Charlie Dobbs and Al Dunning are all part of Team Platform.

12. Where can I get it?
Platform Feeds are available where premium horse feeds and equine health supplements are sold. To find a dealer nearest you, use our dealer locator.

13. I am currently feeding another “feed”, how do I switch over to the Platform Feeds?
It is recommended to gradually introduce any new feeds by adding increasing amounts of the new feed while removing similar amounts of the old feed over a 7 to 10-day period. This allows the horse’s digestive system to adjust to the new nutrient source.

14. How are the Platform Feeds packaged?
The Platform Feeds are available in a 50-lb bag with an easy-to-open top.

15. Does it contain beef products?
The Platform Feeds are all ruminant meat and bone meal-free. In fact, the Platform feeds do not contain any animal proteins.

16. How much does it cost?
The Platform Feeds will retail between $12.99 and $14.99.

17. Can a feed be “low carb”?
While sugars and starches are forms of carbohydrates, so is FIBER. It is important when discussing nutrition to understand that low-carbohydrate and low-sugar/starch are not the same. Horses need carbohydrates, and they need them in large amounts, but fiber is a major source of complex carbohydrates that fuel the horse and keep the digestive system functioning properly. Sugars and starches are simple carbohydrates that were introduced in significant amounts into the diet of horses by man, and while they can be useful in small amounts, large amounts can have negative health effects. Remember this: Horse diets may be low-starch/sugar; they cannot be low-carb.