Behaviour issues (feed intolerences)/ Thunderbrooks Feeds

[Dyllymoo]

I have fed my gelding a handful of Thunderbrooks chaff since I got him with an Equimins balancer added, I only feed to carry the balancer (and all horses are fed at the same time and its not fair on him not to have something). Thunderbrooks was recommended to me by an osteo vet.

I've just seen on another post about reactions to cereals/ sugars etc. causing some stressed (dangerous) behaviour in horses and wondered what people's opinions were on Thunderbrooks?

Any thoughts? Happy for people to PM if they would like

 

[Shay]

There is no cereal in chaff. The website lists a typical sugar content as 7% but the product isn't molassed. Some grass chaffs are higher. If you want to reduce sugar intake you can opt for something approved by the Laminitus Trust. But to be honest a handful of chaff, even if it was really high sugar, would not have more of an impact on behaviour than the grass does at the moment.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I know it doesn't have any cereals in it (as per ingredients listed) but I just wondered what people's thoughts on Thunderbrooks were in relation to possible intolerances really.

Agreed the handful of chaff wouldn't really have an impact which is why I do that and now half a stubbs scoop as has been suggested by people I know so that he "gets a decent meal".... (he doesn't need it for sure).

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I have never used thunderbrooks but I have had horses react to all sorts of different feeds. If you think that your feed is causing problems, withdraw it and monitor the horse's behaviour. Does the feed contain alfalfa? Many horses struggle with that. Or linseed? that affects some horses but in fact anything can affect an individual.

 

[Dyllymoo]

It doesn't have Alfalfa but does have linseed oil ("light covering"). I don't know if I'm honest. Probably is just him as a person as he has been like it pretty much from the day after I got him. Just thought it was interesting and not really something I had considered.

 

[dixie]

Thunderbrooks is a great chaff Albeit pricey.
it’s low sugar/starch. No GM, no molasses. No soya. No Alfalfa.
if you’re concerned though or want to experiment cut it out for a month or use something like Pink Mash.

 

[ticobay831]

Ive cut linseed out of both of my horses diet and they have never looked better. I've heard allot of bad things about it which got me thinking and researching and allot of it made sense to me. My pony that suffers from sever sweet itch hasnt started scratching yet either, could it be the linseed .. mmmm I wonder , have to wait and see how he goes

 

[planete]

Any links to problems with linseed please?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Not a link but anecdotal evidence - our latest Appaloosa, who has eaten pretty much the same ever since we got her suddenly started behaving 'oddly' (very sharp and neurotic) this spring. We cut out the linseed oil which she was having and she was soon back to normal.

We are used to feed being the culprit when behaviour changes, so that is usually our first port of call. We think it just tipped her over the edge when combined with the new grass that was coming through

 

[Shay]

If you feed large amounts of linseed over a long period you have to supplement with Calcium - usually in the form of limestone flour. It is possible an upset to the calcium / phosphrous pump could cause a behaviour change. I don't think there is any research to support behavour differences - but the impact on the calcium / phosphorous pump is fairly well documented.

 

[ticobay831]

Any links to problems with linseed please?

il PM you x

 

[SEL]

Does their chaff still have a herb in it? I stopped using it for one of mine because she started itching. It might have been coincidence but I seem to remember there was something apart from grass in it and i wondered if that had set her off.