Energising a slightly over weight pony

Franzella

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Joined
15 October 2012
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11
Location
Tring, Hertfordshire
www.talkingsgood.com
My pony is on restricted grazing even though thankfully he's never had laminitis. I feed him Happy Hoof and Lite Balancer, and a multi vitamin supplement, but he doesn't have much energy. Any advice please on what I can feed him to add a bit of sparkle but not weight?
 
You are feeding him a complete feed although possibly not the full recommended amount, a balancer and supplement, he should not require both as you will be doubling up on most and unbalancing his diet, so the first thing I would do would cut one out that may help with his energy, then increase the exercise so he loses weight which should increase his energy levels, if he needs a bit more a handful of oats may help but like anything they will add weight if he is not burning them off during work.
 
Thank you
You are feeding him a complete feed although possibly not the full recommended amount, a balancer and supplement, he should not require both as you will be doubling up on most and unbalancing his diet, so the first thing I would do would cut one out that may help with his energy, then increase the exercise so he loses weight which should increase his energy levels, if he needs a bit more a handful of oats may help but like anything they will add weight if he is not burning them off during work.

Thank you for your helpful reply. I will certainly cut out the supplement and will try oats. Thought I wouldn't be able to use oaks due to his weight but might try adding them!
 
Only about 30% or horses respond to oats. Be Positive is right about over supplementing - have a read of the back of the packets and you should be able to cut out either the balancer or the supplement. Possibly both depending on how much happy hoof you feed! We've had good results with both Naf Enger-G and ProPell (not at the same time) to support a good do-er on restricted intake but still needing competition oomph. They do different things so you need to decide which seems more likely to be applicable for your situation.
 
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