Barley and oats

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Overgrown Pony

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Morning guys

I tried my lad on micronised barley for condition. It didn't effect his temperamental but once I got to around 3 cups his back legs filled (they were massive). Took him off it, they went down. Tried again over a week later introducing it gradually again an his legs went up again.

He's on Topspec Balancer and Copra. I'd like to add something calorific that won't break th bank or hot him up.

I'd like to try oats but unsure if theyl hv th same effect on his legs. Any ideas?
 
What are you feeding with the tops pec and copra? I've great success with Alfa a oil, speedi beet and copra. For one poor youngster I had her on baileys no 4 (I think it was) for a few weeks just as an added oomph. But the Alfa oil, speedi beet and copra usually does the trick.

Also feed more smaller meals. A horses stomach is incredibly small so 4 small meals a day us better than 2 large ones.

Also adlib hay is a must for me and my neds :)
 
Thanks for th reply. He can only be fed once a day unfortunately (not ideal I know) as I don't have him at home anymore.

The copra swells an incredible amount so I felt that adding something else that swells ie beet, or a chaff would jst make the feed volume even larger. He already takes ages to eat it and is out 24/7 (so I'm waiting on him finishing to put him out).

PS I know u go by dry weight of feed but once that's soaked it makes a lot.
 
Oats are traditionally fed for their heating effect. How much copra are you feeding? I was feeding my poor youngster a small cup (dry) that was then soaked with the speedi beet (about equal measure). And the half to full scoop of Alfa oil.

Personally I would go for a conditioning cube rather than oats any day. How about micronised linseed as another option?
 
He's getting 600gm Topspec Cool Balancer, 1/2 stubbs scoop Copra and 1/2 stubbs scoop grass nuts.

I suppose I could replace th balancer and grass nuts with a complete conditioning cube ie one with all th vits and mins. Iv heard good things about Baileys No.4. Iv also heard Baileys Racehorse cubes are more or less exactly the same thing but cheaper.
 
It's half a scoop of dry copra. It swells to a large amount once soaked rotfl don't really want to add more bulk. His coat/skin is looking amazing on th copra. Did have him on a full stubbs scoop dry but he was taking 45 mins to eat it and was getting bored eating it. About 3/4 way through I was having to start encouraging him to keep eating.
 
That is quite a bit of copra! ;). If he is needing more condition I'd reduce the amount of copra and use baileys no 4 or similar. The baileys really helped my weedy youngster bloom.

Just keep an eye on what grass is in the field. The grass will start growing very soon, so be ready to back off the feed if he starts blooming at a rapid rate ;)
 
Someone was on here just the other day saying baileys number 4 was the same spec as their racing cubes, possibly just slightly higher in protein, but about ten quid cheaper, might be worth investigating and saving a few pounds
 
Look at stud nuts, they would be better than r/horse ones as they are very good for weight and are easily digested plus they are fully balanced so you won't need to add anything other than your other feeds.
 
Full fat soya will help with weight gain.

If he isn't allergic to the barley, buy an old slow cooker and boil it. Half fill with barley, fill with water and leave on low power as opposed to high power, over night. Only need to give a cup full with his feed.
Smells lovely and mine love it. Easier for me as I have mine at home but still doable.
 
Cheers for th replies guys. Il look at th spec on th conditioning as oppose to th racing and stud cubes.

I tried him on barley but his back legs went up like a balloon :(

I was.thinking along th lines of oats as a conditioning straight to feed alongside copra as th base. Thinking on it a conditioning cube with th copra would mean I can drop th expensive balancer.
 
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