feed help

K

kassieg

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 November 2013
Messages
1,451
Visit site
I am going to start eventing my 5 year old this year & am currently doing a lot of fittening work alongside normal work but I just feel like I need a little bit extra
She's id x tb but takes more after the id & I could just do with a bit of extra ooomph to put it simply !!
I wanted to wait until I had got her properly fit because obviously that can make all the difference but I still feel like I need a little bit more
She's currently on 1/2 a scoop of horse & pony cubes & 1 scoop of graze on twice a day
Any suggestions ? I've always had the opposite problem in the past !
 
I would say shes not quite mature yet hence why she hasn't enough energy { I have a 6 year old that isn't mature enough yet for the work I wont him to do}
But saying that, try adding some sugerbeet or oil { micronized linseed} or alfa a they are slow release energy feeds.
 
ameeyal said:
I would say shes not quite mature yet hence why she hasn't enough energy { I have a 6 year old that isn't mature enough yet for the work I wont him to do}
But saying that, try adding some sugerbeet or oil { micronized linseed} or alfa a they are slow release energy feeds.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I have a lovely big (17.2hh) Swedish WB here who was eventing to a decent level by the time his former owner bought him aged 7. He soon went lame, and is now chronically mildly lame at the age of 13. No investigation was done but he has made no improvement after 3 years in the field so almost certainly joint damage due to doing too much too soon. (Before anyone jumps on me for not spending £thousands investigating - he was a rescue, signed over to prevent him being bullied by an unscrupulous dealer. There are no funds and he is happy as a field ornament).
Give him time, if you want him to have a good long career - IDs are not designed for fast work too young, unlike TBS who have better quality limbs.
 
My feed of choice would be oats, not much but just what she needs.

I'd also consider if she was capable of the level of work expected, both mentally and physically.
 
Shes pretty mature physically to the point that when I got her at 2 everyone thought she was 4
Mentally she finds most of what we do too easy & gets bored very easily

I have a lot of experience producing horses I know shes not fully matured she's not going to be doing a lot of events this season as its her 1st season there are 5 year olds who will be doing lot more !
I waited to make the decision re feed until she got fitter, she is never tired when we finish any work done its purely her character she is generally more laid back & I just need a little extra to give her that spark
I don't want anything that will put weight on her she doesn't need that at all so sugar beet & micronized linseed are out sadly
Oats could be an option I will look into I livery at a point to point yard so will ask yard owner , I just want an alternate to a "competition mix"
 
Anything with calories will add to weight if not used up if she is round and not losing weight stick to fibre and work on fitness you cannot feed a horse to make it more energtic if it is already getting sufficient calories.

Check the balance of the diet vit / min deficiency's and protein can affect energy levels.
 
She is by no means round I just dont want her to get that way ! She's pretty fit I certainly wouldn't want to be doing much more fittening work with her at her age
Ideally I wanted to swap her current feed for something that will give her a bit of extra energy but not increase calories too much

Will look into deficiencies though thanks :)
 
What maccachic is saying, is that 'energy' IS calories. The simple fact is that if you want to feed for energy, you will have to feed calories, there is no alternative. Personally, I would just hang fire, let the grass come through, it's you're best chance for getting a bit more zing out of her. And yes, look at a supplement or a balancer to ensure she isn't deficient in anything
 
kassieg said:
I am going to start eventing my 5 year old this year & am currently doing a lot of fittening work alongside normal work but I just feel like I need a little bit extra
She's id x tb but takes more after the id & I could just do with a bit of extra ooomph to put it simply !!
I wanted to wait until I had got her properly fit because obviously that can make all the difference but I still feel like I need a little bit more
She's currently on 1/2 a scoop of horse & pony cubes & 1 scoop of graze on twice a day
Any suggestions ? I've always had the opposite problem in the past !
Click to expand...

Forgive me I know what TB is but what is ID? I would say at 5 her growth plates are fully closed so no need to worry about that. What kind of work is she doing? And for how long?

Not real sure what graze is, by horse and pony cubes I am assuming you mean hay cubes - what type of hay? 1/2 scoop doesn't really seem to be enough... but if you can get it maybe adding some rice bran? What about beet pulp of course you'd have to soak it.
 
I would personally add a balancer, I use the Top Spec Comprehensive and my ISH has a decent amount of energy but not nuts.

An ID is an Irish Draught.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top