D&H Build up VS. Baileys Topline & Condition mix - opinions please

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lexibell

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I have a loan horse who has lost quite a bit of condition this winter. My vet has visited him and done bloods and hes upto date with worming so no underlying problems that we can find.

Ive only had him a fortnight, When I took him on he was on Baileys topline & Conditioning No. 4, but I've always used D&H and so am considering changing him to build up - anyone any experiences of either brand, or any other better alternatives they can recommend?? or any other advice for building up a poor horse???

Thanks Guys x

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Always liked Allen & Page Weight Gain Mix or Topspec Super Conditioning Flakes. If he gets fizzy you could try A&P Calm & Condition instead.
 
Both products (D&H Build Up Cubes and Baileys Topline Conditioning Mix) contain a similar calorie level - both having 12.5 MJDE/kg, so should give approx the same amount of weight gain unless any other factors are involved (ie intolerance to certain ingredients, dislike of the product).

I presume when you say you have had him a fortnight it means he has moved yards, and he now is on different hay/haylage, grazing etc to what he was on before? Unless you find he doesn't actually like the feed he is on now or is getting excitable on it, then I would give it at least a couple of weeks before you change it. Have you checked the amounts fed with the relevant manufacturer's helpline? Ensure he has constant access to top quality hay or haylage (preferably haylage) and that you have had his teeth checked to make sure he is eating the forage effectively.

What else do you feed with the mix - is he getting either a high oil chaff and/or a beet product? These are both useful for weight gain.

If he still doesn't put on weight, then you could consider changing his feed, but I would look at a higher calorie product (an example would be Bailey's Topline CUBES which have 13.5 MJDE/kg, so higher than both the products you mention). Another alternative is to add some kind of high oil supplements - some people like Outshine or Equijewel but they are quite pricey, whereas micronised linseed is more cost effective.

Another factor to take account of is whether you think the horse's gut bacteria may have been compromised in some way - ie antibiotic treatment, stress etc., in which case a probiotic supplement may help.

Also consider whether he is a stressy, excitable type, in which case it might be wise to limit the cereal content of his food, as he can actually end up fretting off any weight gain though excitability.
 
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I've only used the D&H Build up Cubes - and am very, very impressed with them.

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Dito! I use these on 2 of mine and they do the job brilliantly - also both horses seem to enjoy them as they never leave any and one is a very fussy eater.
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I really rate the Bailieys No4 cubes for weight gain. Build Up sent mine a bit nuts!

My big TB lost weight in mid- December and within 4 bags (I get through a bag a week) he is looking really good again - he's on bag 5 now and this will be the last one - now he has the weight back on he'll be back to a maintenance diet.
 
Hi TGM

he seems to like the feed OK, but its not really having the desired affect
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He has moved yards, but has been on Baileys for sometime (he was on this before I got him) I have spoken to Baileys and read the information on the back carefully, I do weigh out his feed so dont think thats the problem. he has constant access to Hay, we were advised against Haylage by our vet as he is very under weight, vet was concerned about high sugar rush and possible onset of diabetes (sp?) teeth have been checked, and bloods done so liver and kidneys working OK.
Currently I am mixing feed with chaff and Soya Oil.

Thanks eveyone else who recommended D&H, I think Im going to give them a call and get some advice from them too x
 
I also recommend D&H barley rings. Have always found them a great addition for weight gain. (Also contain linseed and soya oil - i think).
 
Actually haylage is quite often lower in sugar than hay (because the sugar is fermented during the haylage making process)! You could consider adding a section or two of Horsehage to his hay ration overnight. There is an analysis of their products here:

http://www.horsehage.co.uk/analysis.html

from which you will see that the sugar content is low. Adding Horsehage (or similar) may tempt him to eat more forage and he will gain more calories from it than hay.

If you really don't wish to feed haylage, then at least get the nutritional value of your hay checked to ensure it contains enough calories - D&H offer this service for about a tenner. (It is quite possibly poor quality/low quantity of forage at previous home that has caused the poor condition, rather than the type of bucket feed).

What you put in the haynet is often much more influential in putting on weight than what you put in the bucket!

PS: Am I going mad or have you edited your OP? I swear it originally said you were feeding Bailey's Topline Conditioning Mix but now it says Bailey's No 4 which is the cubes?
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If you are feeding No 4, be aware it is 13.5 MJDE/kg so higher in calories than feeds like D&H Build Up and Calm & Condition which are 12.5 MJDE/kg, so if you switch you will need to feed more to get the same amount of calories.
 
I've tried both but they send my Thoroughbred a bit loopy, not to ride, but he gallops around the field and winds the other horses up!

I am now feeding him allen and page calm and condition, and so far he is looking fab! very shiny and nice weight coverage.

Also, it works out sooo much cheaper as you soak the calm and condition. A bag of build up costs £13 from my local farm shop which lasts Marco a week!! But now a bag of calm and condition costs £9, and last 3 weeks!!!
 
I use Build Up and find it a brilliant feed, I have never used Baileys Topline basically as Build Up is doing great so no need to change.
 
I use build up every time, I have a small concern about baileys as their fibre content is very low considering the amount of protein thats in there.

One advantage only of topline no 4 is that there is no barley at all.

I prefer d&h as a feed company anyway to deal with

At the end of the day its what your horse prefers and what he doesn't go nuts on!

Wondering why your vet said that about haylage-haylage is the best thing for underweight horses rather than hay! Very low sugars and consistent levels of protein etc through out the bales where as its quite 'pot luck' with a field of hay
 
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