Copra

[BlueSocks]

Hello Copra feeders - question, do you feed wet or dry? Have you found it beneficial to your horses? Thanks x

 

[TPO]

Always wet, it then expands and turns into a mash.

 

[Auslander]

Wet - I use 1 scoop of water to 1 scoop of copra, which makes it firm but not soggy. Absolutely love it for getting weight on

 

[holeymoley]

I've fed it briefly, I always soak it.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I always soaked it I would imagine it's like eating sand dry.

 

[SEL]

Always wet although I know in Australia and US they often feed dry - but if you soak in the morning and see the amount it swells up by tea time it may put you off feeding it dry.

Fabulous for putting weight on.

 

[spacefaer]

My horses won't touch it, wet or dry

 

[Squeak]

I've always fed it wet and have found that horses do really well on it, as others have said it's great at putting on condition.

 

[BlueSocks]

Thanks everyone. I'm just weaning my horses onto the flavour in advance of winter at the mo, they seem pretty into it despite the very strong smell/taste. Soaked some this evening, and yeah, it really does swell! Surprised they even say you can feed it dry - suppose it would be ok in small amounts but definitely soaked for winter quantities 👍 weird stuff isn't it??!!!

 

[George_William]

I used to feed it last winter from recommendation to get weight on one of mine, he didn’t really like it though (he ate it but slowly, top lip wiggling it around ate it) and it didn’t help him weight wise.

 

[BlueSocks]

I used to feed it last winter from recommendation to get weight on one of mine, he didn’t really like it though (he ate it but slowly, top lip wiggling it around ate it) and it didn’t help him weight wise.

That's interesting that you didn't notice any weight gain. Can I ask how much you were feeding daily? Ahh bless, yeah it's such a strong flavour. Luckily mine seem to be enjoying for now but they are only having a bit at the moment just to get used to the taste!

 

[TPO]

I've fed it to various horses over the years and they've all loved it.

I first discovered it years ago working on Australian cattle stations. The horses in work all got nosebags of it with lucerne. They were all in hard work (14hr days and up to 3 days at a time mustering or tailing cattle) but despite there being nothing but red dust and termite mounds during dry season in NT and the horses all looked good and were full of energy (sometimes too much!) on that simple diet

 

[Boulty]

If feeding large amounts I'd always soak it to as it's VERY dry & does expand but I have sprinkled small amounts dry onto other soaked feeds to tempt to eat. Was the only thing the Welsh one would eat / the only thing that would put weight on him I don't feed it atm though as the Highland is fat enough!

 

[Northern]

I've always fed copra wet. It's been an invaluable feed throughout the severe drought we have just had in Australia as it is a crop not affected by the dry like grain and hay (the brand I feed is imported from one mill in Papua New Guinea), keeps weight on well and also ensures moisture intake when everything else was just dust. It's not just great for keeping weight on, it is low NSC and can be fed safely to metabolic horses. As always it depends on how the horse goes on each feed but I always recommend people at least try copra, especially for TBs struggling with body weight and condition.