Copra

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Overgrown Pony

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Hey guys

Just a wee note to say I started my lad on CoolStance Copra a wee while ago. I'm 1/4 way through my second bag. I just wanted to give a little rave about it :)

I've never, in the 11 months i've had him, seen such a bloom on his coat! His skin is amazing!! He's fully clipped and he's looking amazing. I though I must be over reacting but everyone is commenting on it and can't believe how shiny he is. I must say too... he was never this shiny on linseed.

The only thing is, I put him up to 1 stubbs scoop (dry amount before soaking) and he was finding it too much to finish. I've cut it back to 1/2 stubbs scoop (dry before soaking) which he's enjoying better.

I also give him 2 cups Topspec balancer and 1/2 stubbs scoop of grass nuts (Graze-on). He's also on adlib hay in the field and haylage when he's in.

They say you don't need to feed a balancer with it but i'm a bit worried to stop. I may cut out the balancer once the spring comes and there's more grass. Anything to save some pennies (without compromising his health of course)

One other note if you're thinking of giving it a try... it makes them thirsty straight after eating it. I soak it with the recommended 3 parts water to 1 part feed and after his dinner, when I put him back in the field, he goes straight to the water drinker and has done every time since I put him on it. So offer plenty water.
 
I was recommended Copra as part of a mineral-balanced feed plan but even at half the stated amount I have not been successful at getting my mare to eat it. She will take small quantities fed dry but dislikes the texture of it when wet (same for linseed) so I have decided to stick with the linseed only along with her chaff and balancer. So if anyone is in the North Oxon/Glos border area and wants to try some Copra I have 3/4 of a bag going to waste :(
 
Another fan :).

It's helped me out of a tight spot with the old lad this winter.

He's loving it mixed with porridge oats and hot water in the evening :D.
 
I'm glad you have put this up. I've been thinking of using for my old girl as she has dropped some weight this winter which is unusual for her and i have been looking at using for her, she wont eat linseed, just wish i knew someone near me that feeds it so i could try a bit for her to see if she would eat it.
 
Mine wouldn't eat it initially, however tonight they both licked their buckets clean. It's been over a week though, initially they picked at it, now they wolf it down. I feed it separately on its own in a bucket for them to eat with their hay. I'm not sure it would get eaten mixed with their normal feed but they are certainly eating it now. I hadn't planned to keep them on it as I don't like the product myself but I might see how we get on with another bag. It's very expensive though, it will need to work incredibly well for me to continue it long term.
 
Mine is doing very well on it, I always feed it soaked as I'm not sure its as palatable when fed dry. He gets it mixed with alfa-a molasses free with his supplements plus linseed (which he has always liked). I've stopped feeding speedi-beet since we started the Copra and so far still maintaining weight (he's a 23yr old TB living out).
I've not found it easy to get hold of though, have to do a 60mile round trip to get it.
 
About to the bottom of my first bag of it and am a huge convert! My TB is fully clipped, living out with a shelter and his coat is literally gleaming! Lots of comments on it at the weekend when out hacking so its not just me looking for it :D He is fed 1/3 stubbs scoop of Copra, with a scoop of speedibeet and barley twice a day and is looking really well. He is well rugged and has ad lib hay too.
 
A bag is expensive but because a little goes a long way it's not my biggest feed expense.
I actually spend more each month on Speedibeet (3/4 scoop) than the mug or so of Copra.
 
I'm paying £15 per bag and using a bag every two weeks :eek:

I mix his am feed altogether with his other stuff.

His pm copra is separate and mixed with porridge oats and hot water
 
On the recommendation of my feed merchant I've recently started to feed it to my 6 horses. Even the fussy eaters have eaten it without a problem although I did introduce it in very small amounts. I've definitely noticed an improvement in their coats.

I always soak it in plenty of water - it really does swell up so I wouldn't want to be feeding it dry - and add it to their night feed.
 
We have a livery yard (all on full livery) and the whole yard gets Copra as the base hardfeed.
I have fed it for years and have found it to be the best complete feed/fits all of anything we have used in the past.
It is soaked and we add ACV in as standard. It should be a mousse consistency.
On average it takes new horses 3 days to come to terms with it. From then on we have never had an issue and pots are licked clean. I think it is predominantly the smell that is alien to them at first.

It provides a perfect vehicle for supplements and any additional feed.
Plus on cold morning it is ideal to feed warm and sloppy to make sure they are getting enough water.

Its tried, its tested and it is here to stay :)
 
For anyone interested in feeding copra, but not sure if their horse will take to it, I've just given Coolstance a call and they were very helpful and informative. They're sending me a free sample to see if my fussy creature will eat it.

The number is 0845 644 2835.
 
For those of you going on long trips to buy it, www.4dobbin.com are reasonable and quick to deliver. I have found a local supplier now but the cost is about the same-I just don't have to remember to order it!!:o
 
Beausmate said:
For those of you going on long trips to buy it, www.4dobbin.com are reasonable and quick to deliver. I have found a local supplier now but the cost is about the same-I just don't have to remember to order it!!:o
Click to expand...

Second that. When my local supplier became unreliable I ordered from them and they were very, very quick.

I had to pay £2 delivery though.
 
This is something I should have asked on the phone, but I forgot.

For those feeding it with speedibeet etc., do you literally just mix it all together dry and then soak at the same time? Is the copra ok after 10 mins, or does it need longer? I don't actually have any speedibeet in yet so will be trying it out with fast fibre, but same issue I guess.
 
I just chuck it all in and soak the night before for the morning.

If you soak before doing the rest of the jobs, it'll all be ready when you've finished.
 
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