Chaff options

[Roxylola]

So, I'm once again wondering if an alfa alternative might help Charlie's mallanders
But, needs to suit both boys, be low sugar, have some protein/nutrition value as they are currently both on alfa oil and that seems to be giving the right sort of energy levels - I'm not just looking for a filler to bulk out feeds.
It also needs to be palatable - Charlie won't entertain top chop zero etc.

So at the moment they get
Bon - alfa oil, linseed, saracens releve and pro-hoof balancer from progressive earth
Charlie - alfa oil, baileys balancer (lo-cal for now while his owners daughter is doing a bit more, performance when I'm competing him) vitamin e.
Both get msm, electrolytes and garlic

I'm looking at maybe agrobs - wiesencobs, aspero or the green oat chaff. These all are a _bit_ more sugar and less protein. Another possible would be the protein flakes they do.

Or maybe readigrass? (I'd rather not as I hate the smell)

Or maybe adding something like the rowan barbery mash - the green one probably as the regular is higher sugar than I'd like

Or other suggestions- in an ideal world something available from here http://leighsanimalfeeds.co.uk/
We've got naylors not too far as well though, but leighs are my preference (and stock a good range)
Any thoughts ?

 

[Barton Bounty]

How about honeychop? I use lite and healthy but they have different varients. I used to use agrobs but it became a pain to get ?

 

[Roxylola]

The only one comparable protein wise has sugar beet in which I try to avoid after Charlie had a mallanders flare up on it- it might be coincidence but I've tried to avoid it.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I’ve been feeding Rowan Barbary pea protein to my Connie who needed some extra protein on a very restrictive laminitic diet but having spoken to them at YHL at the weekend I would look at their mashes. They seem to be low sugar/starch and might be worth a look.

 

[criso]

If you can get Agrobs, what about the Musli? it's much higher in protein than the others you have suggested and while the sugar is higher than you are currently feeding, it's lower than readigrass or other grass chaff. Very palatable. Main downside is it's not the cheapest.

 

[Roxylola]

I can get both alpengrun museli or mash - protein wise they're closer to the alfa - thanks criso.
I'm almost a bit tempted to just not replace - neither bolts their fees, but I do like them to have a good lining in their stomachs if I'm riding first thing, and it's not just empty bulk - they're both in good condition on what they are getting currently

 

[Sossigpoker]

Alfalfa isn't recommended for mallanders as it's high-ish in protein.
Alfa A with oil is quite high in energy so why would you want to replace it with a chaff (chaff is normally low calorie )?
If you need the calories then I'd go for sugarbeet . I'm also a fan of the Allen and Page feeds. They have a product for every energy requirement.

 

[Roxylola]

I say "chaff" as the alfa oil is the most bulky part of their bucket feed
But I'm not specifically looking at chaff - just possibly something better for mallanders, if it's the protein specifically there's always going to be an issue with his work and fitness though

 

[SEL]

I say "chaff" as the alfa oil is the most bulky part of their bucket feed
But I'm not specifically looking at chaff - just possibly something better for mallanders, if it's the protein specifically there's always going to be an issue with his work and fitness though

Could you try a plain grass chaff like the topspec one to see how he does?

I found alfalfa was a problem but a high protein veteran mix (Spillers) didn't cause a leg flare up. I'm not sure if there's something in how we produce alfalfa in this country because no one in the US seems to have issues

 

[Sossigpoker]

I say "chaff" as the alfa oil is the most bulky part of their bucket feed
But I'm not specifically looking at chaff - just possibly something better for mallanders, if it's the protein specifically there's always going to be an issue with his work and fitness though

I think the issue with alfalfa might be that we tend to feed it in higher quantities than we would say a competition mix.
A lot of people report a problem with mallanders when fed alfalfa.
You can get the same energy output from lots of feeds and even just sugar beet.
I like the Allen and Page range because they're free from molasses and alfalfa and the range contains a feed for every energy requirement.
For higher energy needs I keep returning back to Calm & Condition , although I've not tried that with my cob so couldn't say if it's affected his mallanders. He's currently on Cool and Collected and it causes no issues.

 

[maya2008]

Mollichaff Showshine? Oil, oat straw, limestone flour, cherry flavour, some molasses. 9.5MJ/kg

 

[TGM]

The Bailey's balancers contain alfalfa, so if you intend to cut out alfalfa then you would need to change the balancer as well. If you are feeding a balancer and good quality forage then you shouldn't need to worry about protein levels, but if you feel the horse needs more energy then a high oil feed such as linseed might do this without raising sugar levels.

 

[Roxylola]

Honestly, I fire all sorts in to promote more zing - when I'm competing he's super fit as well, it's only since I've had Bon too I've discovered a lot of what I feed has a rep for hotting up (releve, outshine)
I've currently gone for some grass pellets, I figure it's at least reducing the alfa - I know it's in the baileys too but less is at least better and his legs seem to be settling. He's also on marigold which I've heard helps somewhat.
I think for Charlie at least I'll need to review when I pick him up to compete as he will need a bit more but he's happy pottering with an 11 year old for now, and Bon likes his grass pellets although he might find he gets a bit less releve if he wants to carry on bouncing about like a hooligan ?