Feed for new Standie

K

Kirstd33

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 July 2023
Messages
652
Visit site
Apologies firstly as I know there is lots of feed advice, however I thought I’d ask….
Feed advice for my new standie boy needed as I’m only used to feeding older cob types!
Currently he’s out 24/7 on 3 acres with some grass with 2 other geldings and access to ad-lib hay
In the 6 weeks I’ve had him he’s had 2 small bucket feeds/day of spillers lite balancer and spillers senior mash as that’s what retired coblet has. I’ve moved him this week up to a friends house and she’s an endurance expert and has remarked I will need to overhaul his diet. The vet saw him last week for his vaccinations, declared him body condition score 3 but quite weak, lacking top line, neck and hind quarter muscles. I’m not too worried about that as he’s now living up in the hills and with very undulating hacking, for example we’ve been out this afternoon for about 2 hours up and down long gradual hills purely in walk, which is what I intend to do 4-5 days a week for the next month.
So it’s really feed advice I need, I want to keep it fairly low sugar and starch as whilst he is a laid back sort I just feel it is better for them. He’s also on biotin as I’m transitioning him to barefoot with his flex boots.
 
Well BCS 3 is spot on.
Muscle will come with correct work and sufficient good protein.

I don’t think you need to overthink it or make radical changes. For now I’d say maybe just increase the quantity a bit in line with the increase in work. You could switch the lite balancer for an equivalent with a higher protein spec

ETA - if you did want a complete rethink then I like Baileys ease and excel as a sole feed. Might suit your situation. But it doesn’t sound like it’s completely necessary
 
I had my old poor doer on Copra (I think it's called), which was low sugar and starch, but apparently good for weight gain. She had PPID the last few years of her life, but looked like a bloody RSPCA case if you weren't feeding her everything and then some, so that was fun. I tried lots of things that were low NSC but meant to help with condition. Can't remember what most of them were, but that was one.
 
Thanks both, he’s well rugged currently in a 150g as he lives out 24/7 up a Welsh hill side with the option of a barn to come into if they want to (they generally don’t!) I have some linseed oil so I may start with adding a glugg of that to his feed.
 
Did your friend say why she thought his diet needed overhauling? If he's 3/5 condition score and holding his weight and not loopy? Is it just a broad spectrum balancer that's needed? It's hard to advise when it's not clear what the problem is (I'm generally in the if it's not broken don't fix it camp!) but if your friend is very experienced and has noticed something that needs improving then she's possibly the best person to suggest a fix?
 
I'd keep him on what he's on at the moment.
I find it easier to get them to put weight on than to lose weight.

If the weight starts going down I always up the forage first.
 
He’s just a bit lacking in energy, and a of the laid back temperament compared to her high energy Arabs! I’ve hacked him 3 days on the run now approx 5 miles each time (only in walk) with some really hilly sections that go on for ages and he’s coped fine but did feel a little flat this afternoon. He’s going to do a very short leg stretch 30 mins tomorrow and then have a couple of days off Monday and Tuesday as the weather looks filthy wet.
 
If you want energy and condition maintenance without fizz, I highly recommend Fast Fibre. We add it into the diet of our Welsh D when she starts to lose energy as the grass dies down and it gives my son back his calm, forward going pony (without it she starts to lag at the back once her diet is mostly hay/haylage). No fizz at all, amount can be increased to up condition also as work increases.
 
The feed you have him on sounds fine just now. I would use a fibre source if you really want to give him a little more energy when ridden: speedi beet/fibre beet/ fast fibre
You may find it takes time for his topline and muscles to build but slowly and properly is the best way to go. - My friends standardbred took a year to build his muscles out hacking.
 
Last edited:
Standardbreds are a different shape. Sort of thin thoroughbred, without much defined muscle. Topline and shoulders don't amount to much, and they often look a bit poor when they are in tip top condition! Some of the bloodlines have a defect that involves glycogen not being processed properly, which in turn leads to fatigue and cramp. We have one on our yard, super friendly and healthy, but not ridden more than twice a week, otherwise he is flat out sleeping.
 
Highmileagereindeer said:
Standardbreds are a different shape. Sort of thin thoroughbred, without much defined muscle. Topline and shoulders don't amount to much, and they often look a bit poor when they are in tip top condition! Some of the bloodlines have a defect that involves glycogen not being processed properly, which in turn leads to fatigue and cramp. We have one on our yard, super friendly and healthy, but not ridden more than twice a week, otherwise he is flat out sleeping.
Click to expand...
Oh crikey that doesn’t sound that good, I’m hoping to do pleasure rides next year on mine!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top