Exactly how fattening is Formula 4 Feet?

[brightmount]

I've been feeding Formula 4 Feet all this year and I think it has made a significant difference to my horse's very poor feet. But despite being worked 6 days a week, she looks like a barrel. I asked the YO if he could possibly cut down her feed just a bit, but he told me she gets virtually nothing and the reason she is fat is the F4F. That's not good, as it's the last thing I would want to cut out

So how fattening is it exactly? She only gets one measure, which is a large handful I suppose. Here's the nutritional info:

Ingredients:
25-40% Lucerne meal, 10-24.99% Minerals and Vitamins, Dried yeast (non-viable), <10% Beans, Soya Concentrate GMF, Toasted Soya Beans GMF, Vegetable Fat, Apple Flavour, Antioxidant E321.

Analysis:
Ash 16.2%, Fibre 10.5%, Moisture 10%, Oil 6.2%, Protein 22.1%

What do you think guys? Is this the horsey version of a double bacon cheeseburger and supersize fries? Has anyone else ever heard of F4F causing weight gain?

 

[Angua2]

I didn't think it did.... as it is more of a balancer. However, I had a TB on it and it certainly didn't make any difference to him.

 

[Silverspring]

Hmm...it's quite high in protein but at the level you are feeding it I would expect it to pile on condition. could it be the grazing rather than the hard feed?

 

[LankyDoodle]

Hmmm. If you are concerned then talk to your vet.

Formula4 Feet is from the laminitis clinic and is safe for laminitics, so I really don't think Robert Eustace would be in the business of fattening horses up! It does contain Lucerne (Alfalfa).

I have been feeding it to George. On July 11th, the day we lost our mare to stress-induced laminitis, I got tough. He was always restricted in summer anyway (out at night, in during the day, no hard feed and small amount of hay), but this I was even harder. He started on July 12th at 650kg on the weight tape. By restricting to 5 hours during the day in a small paddock with a grazing muzzle, giving him measured soaked hay and riding at least once a day for an hour, plus F4F and garlic, he went from 650 to 585 in a month.

I began to add in an extra supplement/balancer and a few handfuls of hifi lite (he just gets one feed a day and this is a first for summer as he's only ever had feed in deepest winter before). He is still on a small paddock but no muzzle and has gone back to being out overnight for 12-16 hours with unsoaked hay (he was not eating the hay soaked). We have just got back from our 3 week holiday in Cornwall where he gets worked hard every day, and his weight is now around 535 on the weight tape.

I do not wish for him to lose anymore as his ribs are now easy to feel, he has no crest. I am very proud because I stuck two fingers up at the people who said I was punishing him for the one who is still alive and said that just because 'they all have a crest this year', doesn't make it OK. He is about 18 years old and everyone comments how shiny and well he looks, no one believes me when I tell them how old he is, and watching him gallop round his paddock last night was lovely.

I would say keep going with the F4F. It has improved G's feet no end and it also helps keep those laminae strong.

 

[flyingfeet]

The cup full of F4F would not have much impact on weight. Your horse is probably being fed too much (hay?) or getting too much grass if out. You have to be really harsh with fatties and its not easy especially when they tell you they are starving.

 

[brightmount]

Yes it could possibly be the grass, although the field isn't particularly lush. They are currently in during the day and out at night, so they are out more than in. When in, she has hay, which I wouldn't want to cut out as I don't think it's good for stomach acids to work on nothing. Maybe when they switch shortly to daytime turnout that will mean less time on the grass.

I was a bit sceptical at F4F piling on the pounds as it's such a small quantity but wanted to canvass opinion.

 

[LankyDoodle]

It does mean less grass, but I've put G back onto night time turnout ready for the Autumn flush.

 

[Silverspring]

Welld one on getting the weight off, it's really not easy and many people just won't try as they think restricting feed is cruels

So sad to hear you lost one to lami, it's such an awful thing and they can develop it so quickly. I think that's what frightens me most, a horse can be sound one day and the next it's crippled with lami. If the horse is carrying even slightly too much weight the pedal bone will start to rotate almost immediately and there's so little we can do to stop it.

I don't have the battle so much anymore as my horse is an Arab but I did have it with a WB and my Highland pony, they both had muzzle, restricted grazing etc to keep them healthy.
I still get funny looks at the yard when I refuse to put my mare out in the field with the good grass, she's lean but I wouldn't want any weight on her. A few of the other liveries think she's too thin and that I need to feed her more. My vet tells me she is the perfect weight, I go with the top vet in Scotland (Andrew McDermott) over the old fish wives anyday