Best thing for putting weight on?

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smirnoff_ice07

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Ok, i want to put a bit of weight on my 26yo as i would like him to be carrying a bit more for going into winter. He's not skinny by any means and overall healthy, but he tends to drop weight in winter so I think he could do with putting a bit extra on now. He will be moving fields in a couple of weeks so that should help, but what is the best thing to feed him?
He currently gets 3/4 scoop applechaff and about 1/4 16 plus mix once a day. I don't want to increase this too much as I dont want him overweight!!
 
Every winter I give my TB who loses weight easy up to 3/4 cup of veggie oil a day. Start off with a small amount (going to start this weekend as the nights are a lot colder now) and gradually increase it. I have tried all sorts on him and found this works the best and is most cost effective, though a little messy. Keeps him looking nice through winter, doesnt make him too fat and he doesnt fizz up on it, plus he gets a lovely shiney coat.
 
I got a skinny TB 4 or 5 weeks ago, she is on Allen & Page Calm and Condition. It is great for putting on weight, in fact I have just stopped as the mare seems to be getting a bit porky.
 
I'd change the chaff to an oil-enhanced one, such as Alfa A Oil, as this will supply more calories than AppleChaff. You are not feeding very much mix at all, so horse won't be getting much in the way of vit/mins from it, which as an oldie he may need, so consider swapping the mix for a balancer, as this will supply all the vit/mins, protein etc., in a small amount of feed.

I'd also ensure that he has hay or haylage available in the stable whenever he is in there.
 
Another vote for C&C. Also we use linseed chaff? it's not the oil, it's the powder stuff that comes in 25 kilo bags. Works wonders and neither seem to heat him up. Bedbug knows where to get it from if you PM her.
 
I'd recommend Baileys Outshine, super stuff, very high oil content (I can't remember the exact stats but it's an insane amount of oil via tasty little pellets). It's not the cheapest of stuff about £35 per sack, but worth every penny, plus you get the added benefit of a very shiny horse and it's non heating too!!!

It took me approx 2 weeks to start seeing the difference in my girl who came looking slightly hat rack-ish!

Would give the Baileys nutrionists a call as they can explain a lot better, but there is also a lot of info about it on their website.

I know I sound like an advert for Outshine and Baileys but honestly don't work for them, am just so impressed with this product that I would hand on heart recommend it to anyone.
 
Fibre ! some suggestions

Alfa a lite
Alfa a oil
Spillers high fibre cubes
Unmollassed sugar beet
You can feed up to a mug a day of oil, sunflower for eg for calories without fizz
 
Alan and Page Calm and Condition gets my vote too.

Struggled for ages with what to feed my TB to keep weight on without getting fizzy and this has been perfect. He's been on it for 3 years now and I wouldn't change it for anything now. He likes it, looks good on it and isn't fizzy.
 
I also swear by Bailey's number 1 - straight wheatfeed - added to their dinner! I also feed mine barley, but I like them a bit sparky!!
My sister insists Spiller's show improver is the best, but I agree with what has already been said - fibre, haylage, lots of oil, linseed oil or powder/chaff, and sugar beet.... ;) Nice paddock of lush autumn grass will help too (and just a thought, have you had teeth done recently?:))
I was actually going to start a similar post re recommended feeds cos my warmblood is looking a bit scrawny, but I think it was just that he was getting a bit chilly at night, so we are in warmer rugs now!!
 
I spoke to the Baileys helpline yesterday about a similar issue and they were very helpful. I'm trying to get weight into a 3yold WB that has lost a lot of condition. They recommended their Endurance mix for my horse and were very helpful. It's slow release, high oil, low starch and contains yea sacc and a pre-biotic. Give them a call and ask them what they recommend for your horse (as he's slightly on the other end of the age scale). Most big feed companies offer this service so try calling them all.
 
Im another vote for Allen & Page Calm and Conditoner. Its great my skinny TB has already started making improvements it really suits her and she likes it! We have started giving it to the oldies in the field aswell now and they enjoy it too!

Maisies dinner is:

C&C mix with hi-fi (original) and garlic Mixed with Carrots.

Older horses are:

C&C mix with hi-fi (original) and garlic and also 16+

:)
 
I have my guys on Blue Chip Pro and has worked wonders for them. They are 20yo ex racer, 21yo ex racer and 20yo pony that feels the cold and loses weight like anything. Last winter I had them on Blue Chip Original that had worked for them for years but they came out last winter looking a bit poor even though by this time I had added a few extras. Did try Allen and Page Calm and Condition but sent the TBs mental! Rang Blue Chip and they were very helpful and suggested changin to Pro. Haven't looked back since.
 
I researched a lot of different conditioning feeds but wanted a low starch feed with no alfa as my horse is intolerant to alfa a, he looks fab now on .......

Baileys outshine
readigrass
wheat feed (mids)
speedi beet
Naf haylage balancer

Adlib good quality hay
 
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