Chaff vs Alpha A?

[Greylegs]

My highland, who is prone to being on the heavy side(!) is temporarily lodging for a couple of weeks at another yard. He's turned out during the day on pretty sparse grazing, and in at night, which is his routine at home as well.

At home, he's fed a minimal diet of chaff with a measure of Baileys Lo Cal balancer on top of what he can find in the field, topped up overnight with about 12lbs of haylage fed in a trickle net. He's ridden 5-6 times per week, mostly hacking with a bit of schooling.

I've just discovered that the "holiday" yard has been feeding him Alpha A mixed with the balancer instead of chaff. He seems fine on it, but just wondering whether I ought to go out and get a supply of chaff instead for the remainder of his stay (another 10 days). .... (Thanks for any views ... Hopeless with feed issues)

 

[AngieandBen]

Bit confused, what chaff were you feeding? there are so many. Which Alfalfa are they feeding? as long as its a molasses free one I wouldn't worry. Personally I don't feed one, waste of money to me as a lot have chopped straw in ( may as well feed that )

 

[holeymoley]

No I'd personally keep what your using. Actually that depends which chaff it is? I'm assuming its a low calorie type. Alfa A has molasses in it so I wouldn't be using it on a pony that gains weight easily. It also has a lot of protein too.

 

[Greylegs]

No I'd personally keep what your using. Actually that depends which chaff it is? I'm assuming its a low calorie type. Alfa A has molasses in it so I wouldn't be using it on a pony that gains weight easily. It also has a lot of protein too.

At home, he's on a basic unmolassed oat straw and hay chop chaff which YO gets from a local feed supplier. I was very specific about the "no molasses" requirement .... Bare foot native, with a tendency to get a bit of SI, so don't need it. Might have to have a word with the holiday yard. If they don't have something similar, then there's a good feed supplier in the nearest town, I'll find out what they've got in and go and get a bag of something more suitable tomorrow.... Happy Hoof or similar if possible. Hope I'm not coming over as too paranoid ..... He'll be home in 10 days time.

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

Ask what colour the bag is - if it is red of blue Dengie Alfa-A then it is molasses free. Did you not send him with feed? If you're concerned, then get him changed back, but if he is being worked then I wouldn't worry unduly.

 

[thatsmygirl]

Happy hooves has molasses in as well, a lot have in fact so are u sure what u feed hasn't got molasses in? Iv also got a highland and wouldn't want mine fed Alpha a, just fed the balancer on its own that's fine.