Feed advice needed

[ChunkyMonkey25]

I have just purchased a 5yo hannoverian who came to me in perfect condition, I put him on basic H&P cubes (3/4 round scoop 3 x a day) and alpha a ( 1 round scoop 3x a day) and am working him pretty hard. He has started to drop weight. I need a feed that will keep weight on him but not blow his brains anymore than they are (he's still not 100% settled). Any suggestions?

Choccies for helping!!!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

more hay/haylage ie ad lib! you are feeding plenty bucket food1 how hard are you working him and his build type? you could also add oil to his diet (shiny plus extra calories)

 

[lilym]

Alfa a oil and a conditioning cube, plus as much hay/haylage as he will eat.

 

[ChunkyMonkey25]

thanks - he is getting 2 x 8lb nets of haylage in the day and 1 x 16lb net of haylage at night.

He is being schooled on the flat for 45mins - 1 hr a day 4 days a week, 1 day a week of 20 min lunge, 1 day a week of 1-2 hr hack. 1 day a week off (does 20 min on walker on day off as only 1/2 day t/o).

This is a pic of the day after I got him - he's 17.1. He's dropped weight since this picture.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

lovely horse, would be useful to see a photo of him now?

 

[kerriesquire89]

Hi.

Blue chip works wonders! Its a little expensive but you only have to feed a small amount to achieve big results

Or you could try sun flower hearts. They are really good for both weight gain and coat condition

Hope this might help X

 

[CBFan]

You could add some speedi beet to his feed - cheep and great for addin bulk... and I would also recomend increasing the amount of haylage he has access to and feed off the floor so that he can eat as much as he wants...

 

[teddyt]

[ QUOTE ]
You could add some speedi beet to his feed - cheep and great for addin bulk... and I would also recomend increasing the amount of haylage he has access to and feed off the floor so that he can eat as much as he wants...

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. Feed ad lib haylage and add unmollassed sugar beet. You could also increase the alfa a, as 3 round scoops is only 1.2kg.

 

[wanderersmelody]

I have a horse who doesn't hold his weight well either. I am feeding him ad lib top quality hay (i.e. 5/6 bales a week) and he has short feed 4 times a day - little and often. 1 heaped scp Alfa A Lite or readigrass and 1 scp of alfabeet or speedibeet in each feed. He is also on straw so he nibbles at that. He is also stabled 22 hrs a day. He looks really well for this time of the year. I've tried everything over the past 5 winters from oils to supplements and now I'm back to basic feeding, its the best ever. And not as expensive!!! Good luck