Beefing up my mare! Advice most welcome

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furryfriendsforlife

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Hi there,

I really would welcome your advice.
My mare, 7 years old and whom I bought one month ago is under weight and also lacks muscle because she wasn't worked for months before I bought her. She is a Freiberger and 15.2 and this breed typically eats hay only and she lives outside with shelter. However, she really could do with filling out a bit and I was advised to give her some grain, but for hobby horses, not sport horses, as oats can sometimes be a bit much for this breed and make them slightly bonkers.... She's as cool as a cucumber, so I dont see that happening, however, I dont want to be silly at the same time.
Likewise I bought her from a lovely old guy, who bless him, didn't really keep her in the way in which I would and lets just say, I think she could do with a few supplements to boost the quality of her skin, fur, mane and tail etc plus general health.... again, I really really appreciate any recommendations you may have.

Thanks in advance.
 
Forgive my ignorance, what is a Freiberger ?

Given you have only had her a month, I would just worm her, provide good quality haylage and balancer. The grass will be through very soon and that will pick her up quickly. You don't know her yet so I would be inclined to get to know her whilst she is slightly below ideal condition, let spring and summer pick her up bodily and assess her mind as you go along.
 
Thank you Alice. I'm walking her along to little patches where there are some tasty patches of grass for a treat a couple of times of week, maybe I'll do that some more then?

A Freiberger / Franche Montagne, is a Swiss horse, that comes from the mountain region of the Jura and 50% of the foals each year are traditonally sold to the Swiss military. They resemble a Quarter Horse and are a thinner cob type. If you have instagram, feel free to check her out.... her name is 'Bubbles de Beer' haha. (yep im one of those silly horse owners that make profiles for their loved ones, hopefully its not just me!)
 
Sounds fascinating, I will google. Cobby types nomally pick up very quickly and grass should do it for her, a little linseed would give her a bloom too.
 
Thank you! I'll get her some linseed then. Can I simply buy some from the supermarket and pop some in a bucket? Or is that a really stupid thing to say?
Also what is balancer?
Can you tell it's my first horse yet???
 
furryfriendsforlife said:
Thank you! I'll get her some linseed then. Can I simply buy some from the supermarket and pop some in a bucket? Or is that a really stupid thing to say?
Also what is balancer?
Can you tell it's my first horse yet???
Click to expand...

Linseed needs to be cooked or micronised - try Charnwood Mills for that. Balancer is like multivitamins/minerals.
 
Are you in the UK or in Europe? I don't think there are many Freibergers in the UK. They are lovely little horses, I used to have lessons on one called Leon, years ago!

Marstall sell cooked linseed meal as well as a basic balancer, if you are in Europe.
 
Hi Casey, yes im in Europe and they are the most popular horse here! Most of them are such great hobby/family horses because they're so sound and if they dont do the official Freiberger breed test for riding, presentation in the hand and cart riding at 3yrs old, they're worthless, so most of them have gone through a lot of training at a young age to get the best marks possible on their papers, which they must have kept with their passport for life.

Thanks so much for the brand name, I shall check that out too. Thanks again!
 
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