Another condition question...

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anuvb

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Am having real problems keeping condition on my TB-type trakehner. He's a bit poor although he's now out on grass 24/7 (the yard I'm on turns them out and he stresses if in his box on his own). He's 16hH and currently on full rations of D&H leisure mix, 250kg top spec, 1lb Baileys outshine and a full scoop of apple chaff two times a day. Wormed etc regularly.

Am pondering changing his leisure mix for Bailey No.4 but he heats up quite quickly so is this a wise choice? Obviously his current mix is about the only thing I have left to change and although he's out the grass obviously just isn't coming through quickly enough to maintain his condition despite being rugged. I'm definitely going to have give him something else so suggestions please. Baileys helpline just said to pump him full of outshine (well maybe not quite as bluntly as that ;) ) but he's not that fussed on it, and I doubt I'd get him up to the full 3lb per day they recommended...

What's everyone else doing that's suffering at the moment.
 
I would add in some sugar beet, and give him as much hay as he will eat when you are able to have him on the yard....If he won't stay in alone, maybe just when you are grooming etc....

(You didnt mention hay, so I assume they arent being fed in the field?)

If he doesnt pick up, I would be inclined to get the vet to have a once over if you think he is that bad....
 
I would most definately want some hay/heylege in the field for him to munch on as if the grazing at yours is anything like it is where I am there is not a lot.

D&H Calm and Condition I have found very good, if he tends to heat up. :)
 
Thanks for the suggestions - hay/haylage in the field's not an option unfortunately. The YO doesn't allow it, and to be fair although there's little grass there is some out there. He does get about an hour's worth of hay per day when he's being groomed etc and although his appetite isn't surpressed (he eats his breakfast and dinner happily just keeps spitting out the outshine when he thinks he's had enough), he's obviously not that hungry when coming in from the field to munch happily through copious amounts of hay.

He's not lacking energy or coat condition etc, just under-weight (think racehorse rather than dressage horse) and as his workload's increasing both me and my dressage trainer think he needs more right now to keep the workload/condition balance more in line.

Sugar beet - sadly - sends him loopy, even as speedi-beet.

I've never had such a fussy eater mine have always been good do-ers! :)
 
i used to use something called Xlint on my point to pointers to help keep weight on the ones that didn't hold it well, its like a jelly made from flax, and they loved it, everyone always ate up really well, its a bit messy to scoop out, but i found it was so so good at getting them to eat up & put weight on,
 
There isnt much nutritional content in Mollichaff or similar as it is straw and is undigestable. Its usually used by good doers to stop them bolting feed and keeping them filled with fibre for longer. It is also low calorie. Could you not replace this with a higher calorie chop? Something like Alfa A or Alfa A oil or perhaps a grass chop like Readigrass?

With regards to replacing the mix. I would use a cube. Mainly as they are more easily digested by the horse. A high oil/high fibre cube would be good. Something like Spillers Slow Response which have a higher oil and calorie ration in comparison to leisure mix. It shouldnt blow your horses mind either as it is whole cereal free, low starch and slow release energy.

Also, it there a reason you feed Top Spec? If you are feeding the recommended rations of Leisure mix then you will not need a balancer.

If you decide not to use the Top Spec then you could add a pre/probiotic to help your horse make the most of his feed.

Hope this helps.

TGM is your lady though or Teddyt, Hopefully they come across your post. :)
 
Have you tried Blue Chip Original? My horse was struggling to put on weight and was on Alfa a oil, D&H build up and sugarbeet and was improving slowly but the Blue Chip made an unbelievable difference even after only one bag. Also if you say your horse is not wanting to eat a huge amount when he comes in from the field then it would be ideal because you dont need to feed a huge amount.
 
I am currently feeding my ex racer Spillers conditioning cubes, Alpha A oil and Speedibeet to get some weight on as he was in v poor condition when I bought him. I was advised to consider mixing conditioning cubes with horse and pony cubes by my feed merchant if he was 'too much' on conditioning cubes. My friend's older TB gelding does very well on Allen and Page Calm and condition mixed with alpha a and beet. I would ring osome feed companies and make use of their specialist feeding advice line!
 
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