Feed Suggestions for condition without the fizz!

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Javabb94

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I have a 5yo (5 next month) ISH mare who is being aimed at eventing this season

She had been doing absolutely fabulous in all her ridden work etc but she lost some condition over winter made worse by her growing.

She is currently on Allen and Page Calm and Condition and Alfa A lite which has really brought her weight right even though she only has been on it 3 weeks and now she just needs a little more muscle.

I have noticed however she has been a little more forward going but that isn't an issue really but she has started to be avoiding contact etc (teeth/back/saddle done)

She is normally a very calm and chilled out mare and nothing bothers her and she is totally unspooky but I have noticed her being very on edge at the minute and unsettled only when ridden.

We have tried topspec cool conditioning cubes which made her silly so a no go with those

I think it's worth mentioning she had her 3rd flu jab on Friday.

I was wondering if Alfa A And a balancer may be better with something else?

The c and c has done wonders with her weight but I have just seen the sugar and starch are very high :eek:

I am at a loss with feeds as just don't know what to try -
I have heard Baileys No.4 is great but may add the fizz
Our first event is 7th April and currently dressage not going great!
And feed is only logical explanation
Any suggestions grateful :)
 
Could you go back to the old feed and just up the quantities (splitting feeds appropriately)? And perhaps add some linseed. What does she get in terms of forage?
 
Oil is a very energy dense, slow release energy and horses show less excitable behaviour when fed high oil diets as opposed to high starch diets.

Introduce oil gradually and build up slowly. Do not feed more than 100mls oil per 100kg body weight. If you're feeding high amounts of oil you'll also need to supplement with vitamin E (an antioxidant).

Make sure the horse has adequate good quality forage which should compromise 70% of the diet.

The horse should be eating 2% of its body weight dry matter.
 
She gets ad lib haylage at night she is out during the day although with little or no grass is in maybe a couple of days a week with ad lib forage.


I should add this behaviour (the avoiding any form of contact and working properly) has only occurred since this weekend

She has been on c and c 3 weeks. If it was the feed maybe it would have shown earlier?

My first thought was the saddle etc but that was fitted 2 weeks ago, teeth done January and back has been done with absolutely no issues

I'm poss thinking flu jab?
 
Both my horses (cob and tb) are on pure feeds and look great. They are both a lot more chilled but still got the energy. I plan to event the tb this year on this feed. She is on the easy but could go up to the working if needed. Cob just hacks so he is on the fibre balance just to mix his supplements in.
Few horses on our yard on this feed and all look fab
 
I've the same issue with my mare dropping condition and suddenly being quite sharp. Wondering if it's to do with spring/coming into season? I haven't changed her feed (yet) though.
 
Another vote for micronised linseed my two have it with hifi mollasses free and pura beet, I have tried so many conditioning feeds and they have all fizzed my horses up linseed is the only thing that doesnt, I have heard eqijewel is very good and is supposed to keep them calm one I have not tried yet but as its £35 a bag bit of a risk if it sends em loopy.
 
I am one to always promote beet pulp... high in easily digestible fibre, high in calcium, great for putting on condition and very appetising. Combine that with alfalfa chaff and introduce some oil to the diet, and you have a non-heating, high calorie feed, without spending loads on mixes and cubes that may say 'non-heating' on the label, but when you look closely, contain all sorts of cereals...
 
Agree with Khals, I use Alfa pellets, speedi beet and linseed with brewers yeast, and my mare looks the best she ever has. Beet is great for muscle, and alfa cubes are cheaper and without the preservatives you get in alfa chaff...
 
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