Am I feeding correctly?

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finnywinny

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11 October 2009
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Marlborough, wiltshire
www.earthwisegardens.com
I feel quite happy with my mare's diet but as I keep her at home i.e. no yard mates to ask advice from etc, would love to hear any feedback from all you knowledgeable folks as to whether this sounds like a good/balanced/appropriate diet.

She's a 16.3 11yr old Knabstrupper, a good doer who lives out 24/7. I've managed to keep her weight really in control (this is our first Summer together) by keeping her on poor grazing at night and on better grazing with grazing muzzle by day. Because her weight is currently not an issue, I have been able to keep giving her bucket of "goodies", which currently consists of:-

SS lucie stalks as basic chop, dampened by VERY dilute/watery Speedi Beet (no molasses); cup of micronised (SP?) linseed, plus Brewers Yeast, biotin, and currently a small scoop of Tiger Oats. I am also currently adding Global Herbs Fly Free which really seems to help keep the flies off her.

She has a really soft shiney coat, good feet, enough energy for what we do (ridden about 5 times a week for 1.5 - 2 hours a time, long hacks, schooling, local shows and dressage competitions at weekends etc.)

I know Tiger Oats are seen by many as a waste of money, this is our first bag so on trial - they seem to give her the extra stamina she needs but no silly behaviour. She's generally a complete saint, put-your-granny-on type.

I want a forage based more "natural" type diet for her, she doesn't need rich sticky mixes and her behaviour is fantastic and laid back without being lazy or behind the leg. It took me 6 months to find a horse that I felt safe on and with and she's my very best girl, so want the best for her.

any thought or suggestions all you good people??
 
Diet sounds good to me, if it works for your horse then great! nothing wrong with good ole oats either :)

I would, if mine however put her out on the not so good grazing during the day when there is more sugar in the grass, and the better grass muzzled at night time.
 
Actually oats are a good feed for lots of horses, they are the original high fibre feed, with plenty of natural oil. I used to feed oats to my last horse. She really liked them. I'll bet your feed regime is cheaper than sticky mixes too.
 
Thank you for your helpful comments and sensible reassurances - its tricky when you are "solo" although I love the peace and solitude of my own yard!

Have been reading about whole oats vs Tiger/bruised etc and must admit the whole oats sound much better and tie in with my "natural as possible feed" approach (although nothing "natural/unprocessed" about Brewers yeast or the linseed - they wouldn't find them growing in the wild!!)

I do find that some of the Tiger oats seems to pass through whole, the crows love rummaging for them and it takes ages to poo pick after the crows have created a nice wide poo mat!

Can anyone advise of the blanancing needed for whole oats? I know its important to get the calcium ratio right?????

Thanks again X
 
mobing said:
goog luck! but with your imagin in your signature
38.gif
,i hardly read your text fluently!
sorry !:confused:
Click to expand...

:confused: Nor I yours.
 
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