Feed ideas

Leo Walker

Leo Walker

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19 July 2013
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Leo is working hard at the minute and has dropped weight. Normally I wouldnt worry too much as theres tons of grass, but where I keep him hes on relatively restricted grazing. This is normally a good thing, but clearly he needs something.

Hes in over night and has ad lib hay and he has hay in the field. He goes absolutely bonkers on oats or any type of starchy food. He was always fed pink mash but I took him off it last autumn as I thought the soya was heating him up. The jurys out on that still, but its so low sugar and starch I'm not sure it will do what I want anyway.

Hes currently getting a handful of Thunderbrooks Museli. I really dont want to continue feeding this as I cant abide the company. It was something I panic bought as I couldnt get any Agrobs and this was available.

I am looking for something to add calories without too much starch or sugar, something palatable and ideally easy to get hold of. Nothing heating at all as hes feeling a bit jolly as it is! I'm off to have a google now but actually needing to feed a horse is an alien concept to me!
 
i find fast fibre is pretty good for putting weight on without fizz.......my old mare was looney on calm and condition but my friends horse didnt change at all so its very much trial and error regarding fizziness...
 
I use copra and kwik beet in varying amounts depending on waistlines. If it isn't convenient to soak feed then linseed does a lot for a tiny amount.
 
I'm getting some solution mash to try and if the soya sends him loopy then I'll give copra a go. Hes always had linseed but I stopped his feed over the winter when he was doing nothing but eating and looking a bit round, so I'll reinstate that as well. Its such a foreign concept having to actually feed a horse and hes so reactive to food its even harder!
 
Allen & Page Veteran Vitality is literally the only thing that would put weight on my TB without heating him up.

Now he's a good weight, the spring grass is coming and he's out of work, he's on Allen & Page Veteran Light which is maintaining his weight brilliantly.

The both versions (and especially the light) are low in starch and sugar - I have to watch that as my boy has had EGUS...

I think it's great that I can use the same feed year round but just substitute the normal with the light when needs be. Also, it's fairly cheap and available everywhere.
 
I would give him soaked grassnuts and linseed. That is what we fed our oldies when they needed a bit extra, which also felt odd as the Draft mare was on a strict diet of oat straw chaff for the first 3 years she was here!
 
FizzyBum said:
Allen & Page Veteran Vitality is literally the only thing that would put weight on my TB without heating him up.

Now he's a good weight, the spring grass is coming and he's out of work, he's on Allen & Page Veteran Light which is maintaining his weight brilliantly.

The both versions (and especially the light) are low in starch and sugar - I have to watch that as my boy has had EGUS...

I think it's great that I can use the same feed year round but just substitute the normal with the light when needs be. Also, it's fairly cheap and available everywhere.
Click to expand...

Weird I could have written this, this is exactly what I've done with my mare. She wasn't as keen on the VV light but is eating it. keeping a brilliant weight and ribs are just very slightly visible.
 
Another vote for linseed - plus a bonus if you've fed previously and know it has no ill effects
 
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