Adding some 'oomph' for a mare who isn't lazy and is healthy weight

[Bananyman]

Bit of background - My mare (sport horse) isn't lazy, in fact she's a poor doer and in winter needs a lot of feed to keep her weight up. Now she's a good weight, she's building topline and is getting coarse mix, linseed oil and probiotics daily, she also has plenty of grass on turnout.

She isnt the most supple mare naturally (although I only got her about 1.5 years ago as a 12yo and I don't know how much schooling she got on the flat before I got her) but she can carry herself nicely once suppled up and driven forward from the leg. However, I find she is waaaay easier to get into a contact on the days where she is a bit hyper/giddy. She practically carries herself from the moment I get on. It's not great in terms of getting her to focus to start with, but once she starts focusing, the extra energy helps her come up through the shoulder so much more. On her usual, average energy levels, she clearly finds it hard to sustain at the moment and she just tries to go out the front with too much leg.

So (to the point) - I'm thinking I might give her something extra to boost her energy and stamina, while ideally not making her nutty/silly. I am considering NAF Energ or Topspec turbo. The former seems to be more about vitamins and minerals and improving energy production, the latter seems to just be a high energy feed. I don't want her to gain loads of weight but as I said she isn't overweight or anything. I also don't want to overdose her on something like iron.

Any suggestions?

 

[Zoeypxo]

I give mine half a scoop of oats a day, 3/4 a scoop if im going somewhere like a show and want a little bit more. Doesnt make her silly at all just wakes her up a bit more. 16.2 warmblood

 

[AdorableAlice]

I found Spillers Slow Release Competition Mix useful and did not need to feed at optimum level, for my show hunter that had long days travelling and competing. He had bags of presence and was very much in front of the leg but would just fade a little and lose sparkle even when fit. The Spillers feed gave him energy in a good way. I did try the instant release mix on a lazy mare and it certainly gave an instant release, sadly upwards and outwards in the show ring which was not ideal !

 

[Goldenstar]

I would try some oats .

 

[Starzaan]

I have a really tricky horse who is an absolute pillock if fed anything remotely heating (has hospitalised three people) and is also a fat bugger, but lacks oomph when ridden. I work with a veterinary nutritionist for all my liveries and rehabs, so I asked her advice for him and she transformed him!
In his pre work feed I now add half a scoop of Red Mills Competition Mix to the usual half scoop of Alfa A Oil. The ‘Mars bar before the gym’. He burns off the glucose while working, and then is sensible afterwards. Has his recovery feed as normal after work and isn’t a devil pony. It works brilliantly and I’ve used it for a few liveries too to great effect. Definitely recommend it. I almost had a heart attack when she suggested it but it’s totally transformed him.