Do you feed Compounds or Straights?

[arwenplusone]

Should probably put this in stable yard but thought I'd get more answers here.

Bet it has been done before but I'm doing some research and would like to know how many of you feed straights v compounds for your horse/pony and if you could add a post as to why that'd be good.

I feed my lot straights but only because I have studied nutrition and they are better for my particular horses and the work they are in - used to feed compounds because easier and looks more interesting for the horse! (lol)

Every horse has different requirements though so hard to say which is better! What do you think?

 

[vicm2509]

I feed mainly straights. Although I am feeding Baileys No.1 at the moment, which I suppose could be classed as a straight as it has nothing added to it, its just a mixture of cereals.

I use Barley mostly, and add oats in the winter aswell. Also chuck a little maize in at the moment to add weight.

 

[Michelle73]

Dim question, I dare say I know the answer but not technical terms!!!

What are straights and what are compounds???? I take it one is like horse and pony nuts that supposedly has everthing in it that your horse needs and the other is the old fashioned stuff like barely, sugar beat, course mixes??? Am I any where near right???????

I feed mine Dengies Hi Fi Lite and Baileys no 8 Meadow Sweet and a little bit of Sugar Beat. Whats that compounds or straights??????

At least I'm brave enough to ask the question which proves I want to learn right??!!!

 

[vicm2509]

Straights are things like barley, oats, bran etc.

Compound feeds are manufactured feeds which provide all round nutients (cubes or mixes).

Thinks like sugarbeet, chaff etc are roughage.

 

[Jo C]

I currently feed a mix but am not entirely happy with it so was thinking of looking into straights. However I don't really know where to start. Any good tips anyone?

 

[Gorgeous George]

I am a novice owner so compounds are easier for me to deal with. I feed George Dengie Alfa A lite and baileys lo-cal.

 

[the watcher]

I feed straights as I dealing with several horses with different needs and can adjust accordingly - it is also more economical that way.
If I only had one to worry about I would probably feed compound feeds

 

[arwenplusone]

I agree that straights are better if you have numerous horses. Compound feeds are great for single horse owners and those who are new to horse owning as the nutrients are all in there in the right quantities - however, you DO have to feed the manufacturer's required amount to reach the right levels and this cannot always be possible if your horse is prone to weight gain etc.

Jo C - would have to know lots more about your horse to give tips on straights (breed/what you do with him etc).

 

[Skhosu]

I feed compounds as wouldn#t have the knowledge to feed straights confidently

 

[ISHmad]

Simple Systems chaff, Lucie Bix and Lucie Cobs, plus Top Spec Balancers, Simple Systems sugarbeet in winter and Mag Ox for one or two of them.

 

[Jo C]

He is a 14.2 Connemara not a particularly good doer, ridden 6 days a week schooling/hacking(schooling is for about 40 mins quite hard work, hacking can vary from fast work to a plod around the farm) and competes at dressage at the weekends. Severely lacking in energy. Currently fed instant energy mix, alfa a and oats and an all round vitamin supplement suggested by the vet. Health wise he is fine. Any thoughts gratefully received!

 

[jesterfaerie]

[ QUOTE ]
I feed compounds as wouldn#t have the knowledge to feed straights confidently

[/ QUOTE ]

The same reason to why I only feed compounds, I also only have one horse so it is easier.

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I feed alfalfa and fibre cubes and sometimes some oil or sugarbeet if needed. Would happily feed either straights or compounds if I felt they were right for my horse.

 

[arwenplusone]

Jo C - Do you know what's in the instant energy mix? I presume a bunch of cereals (barley, oats, maize?)

Would suggest corn oil for poor doers and also sugarbeet (because IMHO its the best feed you can give any horse

and I'm always banging on about it)
If you are feeding oats it is worth noting that naked oats have higher energy value than rolled or bruised.

Also, when you ride him, do you ride him straight out of the field? Some horses have a bit more energy if they don't have a belly full of grass?

 

[Jo C]

Unfortunately until I look at the bag I don't know whats in it. The website just says cooked cerals. I feed sugarbeet in the winter but not generally in the summer cos it goes off so quickly. I will look into the naked oats side thanks. It doesn't seem to matter when I ride him ie from field or out of the stable he is still lacking in energy. He is 14 now and never used to be like this (he used to buck me off regularly) but I can't believe he has slowed down that much due to age. Thanks for your help

 

[jennyb]

Straights all the way! call me traditional - barley, sugar beet, with or without chaff dependent on the horse....
I've played around with some compounds but my horses never look as good on them as they do on straights