Bayneddie
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I have a 16h small warmblood type mare who I compete about once a month at Novice level unaffiliated dressage. She's an ex-showjumper with fantastic paces, especially an exuberant trot, but I have to squeeze every single stride out of her to get it so I'd like to give her something feed-wise to help. We do have weekly lessons and are working on building her behind up.
She's generally difficult to keep weight on and has poor teeth. She can't handle haylage, it just shoots through her, so is on decent quality ad lib hay. Grazing is pretty poor where we are. I've had her on three scoops of Ready Mash Extra a day over three feeds which has improved her weight and certainly her coat has never looked so good but she could still take on more.
I've tried various other feeds, including working horse and pony cubes, top line conditioning cubes, calm and condition, D&H competition mix, spillers response instant energy mix, plus Alfa A oil. All make no difference to her.
So, was thinking if trying straights next - naked oats? Not remotely concerned about anything fizzing her up, as you can probably tell it's not an issue.
Any other thoughts welcome. And any info on where to buy oats from that can be delivered to my home for a reasonable price, local merchants don't stock them. I e seen a bird feed place that delivers for free... am I stupid thinking naked oats are naked oats so it doesn't matter whether they're made for horses or not...?
Many thanks
I have a 16h small warmblood type mare who I compete about once a month at Novice level unaffiliated dressage. She's an ex-showjumper with fantastic paces, especially an exuberant trot, but I have to squeeze every single stride out of her to get it so I'd like to give her something feed-wise to help. We do have weekly lessons and are working on building her behind up.
She's generally difficult to keep weight on and has poor teeth. She can't handle haylage, it just shoots through her, so is on decent quality ad lib hay. Grazing is pretty poor where we are. I've had her on three scoops of Ready Mash Extra a day over three feeds which has improved her weight and certainly her coat has never looked so good but she could still take on more.
I've tried various other feeds, including working horse and pony cubes, top line conditioning cubes, calm and condition, D&H competition mix, spillers response instant energy mix, plus Alfa A oil. All make no difference to her.
So, was thinking if trying straights next - naked oats? Not remotely concerned about anything fizzing her up, as you can probably tell it's not an issue.
Any other thoughts welcome. And any info on where to buy oats from that can be delivered to my home for a reasonable price, local merchants don't stock them. I e seen a bird feed place that delivers for free... am I stupid thinking naked oats are naked oats so it doesn't matter whether they're made for horses or not...?
Many thanks
