another feeding a veteran thread

TheLadyInBay

TheLadyInBay

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For years and years I've kept my big native mare out without a rug and on very minimal feed. She is happiest this way but recently she is starting to feel a bit older now she's 22. Her weight has always been a bit changeable, but it has been worse at the moment, sometimes she can be a little bit thin but have enough to eat and then suddenly easily gain weight and othertimes I have put her on a starvation patch and she has hardly shed a pound. I think this mostly to do with the changing seasons and I have taken other measures such as plenty of shade/shelter and a new wardrobe of rugs but would like some help reviewing what she eats. At the moment she eats spillers veteran mix soaked with "I cant believe its not cod liver oil" with joint supplement, veteran vitamins and galic. In the winter she has the conditioning version of the mix. What are the better alternatives?

plus she desnt have a big appetite so nothing too bulky
 
Perhaps you could add some micoionized linseed? To her feed my older horse loves it and it's good for all sorts and you can add more or less depending on what she needs.

My girl is simply on Joint Aid Plus for horses, salt, garlic (summer only), linseed and spillers high fibre cubes. Linseed just goes up in the winter.

My mare is 17-20 yrs old ish (not entirely sure!) and is doing well on this simple diet and hacking at least 4-5 days a week for 1-2 hours at the moment.
 
I'm not a fan of mixes tbh. My 22 year old is on a simple diet of Veteran Vitality, magnesium, linseed and a sprinkling of Molasses Free chaff. As it gets colder I will up the linseed. He looks really good on this and will live out over winter with light rugging
 
Veteran vitality is a mix though isn't it? Just in a pellet form rather than actually looking like a mix!

Op - I have repeatedly heard from people that many of the veteran mixes you buy are mainly a marketing gimmick - I.e. a bog standard mix with a little added oil and double the price tag, but veteran vitality does get fantastic reviews all round. When my mare moves onto a specialist veteran feed in winter I'll get her that rather than e.g. 16+ mix.
 
I would also consider stopping feeding garlic as it is well reported to cause anaemia, especially in older horses. Google it and you will see lots of information.

I have a 33 year old staying with me to get some weight on and I am feeding her Alfalfa cubes (soaked), conditions cubes (soaked), speedibeet, HiFi Senior, seaweed, linseed and brewers yeast. She is really nicely putting on weight slowly and safely.
 
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