Advice on feeding my horse!

M

Masmo

Member
Joined
27 December 2012
Messages
17
Visit site
Ok, I am hoping someone with nutritional training can help advise me on feed etc as I am more confused than ever on what to be feeding him.

Background:
He is a 15.3 ID x good do-er, currently about correct weight, poss slightly over. He is on box rest and limited turnout due to PSD at the moment but slowly being brought back into work over next few months

CURRENT FEED:
1 scoop chaff, 1 scoop speedi beet, half cup micronised linseed PLUS SUPPLEMENTS of scoop formula 4 feet and Riaflex. He is on NO GRASS, HAY only at the moment.

I seem to be giving him a stupid amount of different things right now and lots of very expensive supplements, as my costs from the vet are so high anyway I would really like to be able to cut down on costs and amount of 'stuff' in his feed!

Waaa so confused on whats best!
 
If he is a good doer I would significantly reduce or even cut out the linseed - it is quite expensive. And if you can, replace the Speedibeet with Equibeet, (unmollassed beet pulp pellets). Takes longer to soak but less than 2/3 the price. Does he need a hoof supplement? You could substitute rosehips which are full of biotin, and for the joint supplement, Equine America do a glucosamine one for around £20 which lasts 6 weeks after the loading dose.
And lose the chaff if you are having to buy it in - beet will provide the fibre he needs? Basically if your fodder is good enough, he just needs a tiny feed as carrier for his supplements.
 
If he is slightly overweight then cut down his bucket feed right down. Just give him enough to be able to mix his supplements into. You can drop either the beet or the chaff - depending on your preference, the price and what you find easiest to mix his supplements into. Agree with reducing the linseed too.
 
But feed down, I would get rid of chaff and just give speedibeet as a base for his supps. I disagree with linseed being expensive if he is a good doer you only need to feed a small about a mug maybe, therefore a 20kg bag will last you ages. I dont know those supplements and what you feed them for, therefore cannot advise an alternative.
 
ktj1891 said:
But feed down, I would get rid of chaff and just give speedibeet as a base for his supps. I disagree with linseed being expensive if he is a good doer you only need to feed a small about a mug maybe, therefore a 20kg bag will last you ages. I dont know those supplements and what you feed them for, therefore cannot advise an alternative.
Click to expand...

I agree, feeding a small cup of linseed a day, my 20k bag lasts me months. Its good for the joints too so maybe cut out that supplement.

My 23 year old has nothing but linseed, hay and a handfull veteran vitality a day.
 
JillA said:
If he is a good doer I would significantly reduce or even cut out the linseed - it is quite expensive. And if you can, replace the Speedibeet with Equibeet, (unmollassed beet pulp pellets). Takes longer to soak but less than 2/3 the price. Does he need a hoof supplement? You could substitute rosehips which are full of biotin, and for the joint supplement, Equine America do a glucosamine one for around £20 which lasts 6 weeks after the loading dose.
And lose the chaff if you are having to buy it in - beet will provide the fibre he needs? Basically if your fodder is good enough, he just needs a tiny feed as carrier for his supplements.
Click to expand...

Just to hijack the thread but great tip about the equibeet, I'm almost out of speedie beet and will have a look into this for Ben... Thank you! :)
 
Queenbee said:
Just to hijack the thread but great tip about the equibeet, I'm almost out of speedie beet and will have a look into this for Ben... Thank you! :)
Click to expand...

Good luck with it - I am struggling to get a stockist in this area. Have been trying since beginning of December with no luck - local wholesalers don't get it - it is made by Trident. GW Titmus have it for £6 but the carriage makes it uneconomical. Most stockists (if you find one) sell it for around £6.95.
 
If he's a good doer why not just feed plenty good quality hay and a balancer eg TopSpec Joint Feed, which has glucosamine and MSM and biotin at the recommended daily rates? The balancer might seem expensive but would work out much cheaper than the feeds and supplements he's on at the moment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top