Bramble's new diet... (any feed advisers?)

[floradora09]

Spent ages yesterday doing numerous calculations, working out how much and how much of what I should be feeding Bramble (20yr old 14hh slightly underweight NF, in light/moderate work turned out 24/7).

Won't bore you with ALL the calculations, but will just show you what I propose to feed and why. Also, please note he can only have an evening feed (due to personal circumstances), so the total dry weight of his feed must be under 2kg.

Total dry weight of hard feed needed: 3.2kg (which I won't be able to make)

10% of which will be speedi beet to gain condition, meaning dry weight speedi beet 320g.

He cannot have more than 2kg dry weight in each feed, so 1kg 16+ mix

Then, because he will be receiving less than the recommended amount of mix give him 50g (as instructed on packaging) of Equivite original. Plus any other supplements he has.

Does this sound balanced enough? Have I made a mistake in my numerous calculations (not all listed above!!), and most importantly, will he gain some weight from this diet before the winter sets in? He is normally fed the mix, but am gradually introducing the beet, as he hasn't had it since last winter. Thanks, comments much appreciated!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i think you need long stem fibre .. something like alpha a, which is a complete feed on its own. i would feed him one scoop alpha a half scoop sugar beet and about 3/4 of 16 + and some oil. is your grass good or can you put some hay out for him? obviously he is well wormed and teeth done? as he is an oldie i would also rug him (dep on weather) so he isnt using all his food to keep warm.

 

[lilym]

Echo the above. can you add a trug full of readigrass or graze-on, this can be fed in a separatley to the hard feed and will help with condition and will be like feeding an extra nutritious "haynet"

 

[floradora09]

Yup, all the horses at yard are on a worming programme which is stuck to, and he had dentist out last year who said his teeth were very good.

Meant to add that he also has a little HiFi Senior, but not too much otherwise it bulks the feed up way too much! I could buy some Sunflower oil as read that oils are a very good source of dense energy, so would only need to add 1/2 cup?

The grazing is OKish, but I wouldn't say he'd gain any weight off it, but have spoken to YO and not much chance of moving fields. =(

Think I'll try filling out with speedi-beet first, and if that isn't very effective after a few weeks (I have a weigh tape and will be checking every 1-2 wks.) then think of a way to get lots of hay etc into him...?