Another feeding question.....

[BeepaStar]

Hi, I have a 15.2 8 year old ISH, who is in light hacking work (has OCD in both stifle joints, being treated conservately at present), he's a good doer and is probably carrying a couple of extra kilo's, he weighs in at about 510 KG. Currently he gets 1/2 scoop of hi fi lite, pink powder, cosequin & biotin with one large haynet over night. He seems to be lacking in energy at the mo, so I was wondering what I could give him to give him an energy boost, without sending him loopy and without gaining any extra weight..... any suggestions welcome. Thanks

 

[lilym]

try some alfa a oil, higher in energy than the hi-fi lite and being fibre is less likely to cause problems with excitability

 

[angiebaby]

Its quite tricky to get energy and not the calories!
I had the same problem last year, but I resisted to feed anything extra until my horse was fitter. If yours is only in light work, that could be the reason for the lack of energy!

You'd be surprised at how quick they get once they have lost some weight and are fitter. You could try Spillers instant response mix or cubes ; but only feed if you are going to burn those calories off on a good hack! As lilym says oil is a good source of energy.

BTW His weight seems ok to me

 

[Chumsmum]

My pony has been on a scoop of Alfa A Oil, Lo Cal Balancer and his various suppliments with ad lib hay/haylege and has plenty of energy for the light work he does though I do warm him up carefully as he has Bone Spavin.

I will be ringing Dengie to see what to change to when the spring grass starts coming through as he is generally a good-doer (never stops eating) but I want to keep up his energy levels - it makes schooling so much easier lol.

He is not fit atm due to the awful weather we had but have started doing more with him again and he had enough energy for an hour's lesson mainly in trot.

 

[teddyt]

Feeding more energy to what is required in day to day life means the horse puts on weight. Energy from different feeds is digested in different ways. Slow release energy comes from things like alfalfa and oil. Quick release energy comes from cereals, the fastest being oats. Whatever energy source you use, if the horse doesnt use it up for exercise then he will put on weight. There is no such thing as an energy source that will give more of a boost but not put on weight, energy is energy, it just depends how it is used, i.e. for locomotion or condition. So as long as you are using up the extra energy that you give through exercise the horse will not put on weight.
Fibre and oil are safer sources of energy for the horse because their digestive system is better designed to digest these compared with cereals. It is the starch in cereals that can encourage excitability as it is released quickly from the digestive system

 

[angiebaby]

Yes thats what I was trying to say LOL, teddyt you explained it better

 

[BeepaStar]

Thank you all for your responses, very helpful. I think I might try the Alfa A Oil as suggested, I've looked this up on the Dengie website, it makes interesting reading comparing all the different products. He does about an hours worth of hacking 4 times a week, lots of walk a bit of trott and a canter and goes in the school for about 30 minutes once or twice a week, mainly walk, some trotting. Does his current feed intake sound reasonable??

 

[Chumsmum]

I've been looking on the Dengie website too, it is quite interesting looking at the different energy/protein levels etc - I'm going to ring them as still not sure what to choose lol.

I changed to Alfa A Oil and Lo Cal Balancer when he lost a bit of weight last Aututmn and I needed more protein to help build his muscle up. He looks and feels much better though it's a fine balance trying to keep his weight spot on, being out 24/7 and regular exercise make such a difference. I have cut the Alfa ration right down now the grass is (very slowly) starting to grow.

Your current feed sounds fine to me (but I'm definiately no expert) - but understand you wanting that bit more omph. The only thing that might stop me if I was you from changing anything is the spring grass will be here very soon - my boy usually only has to look at it to put weight on.