Feeding a good doer-thinking of changing feeds

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maddielove

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Over the summer my mare gained a lot of weight and its amost all gone now. She was fat through last winter so feeding wasnt too much of an issue as what she was fed she lost a wee bit of weight on it.
Anyway! as she is now almost at a nomal weight (been losing condition whilst not being in work, grass in her field not that great) and i would like to feed her somthing that will maintain a good weight (if anything keeping her quite liight for going in to spring)
At present she's getting 4 handfulls of happy hoof. Would like to beef this up with maybe some nuts or maybe a low calorie mix intesd of just feeing her more and more chaff.
She lives out 24/7 and has adlib hay (2 bales which seem to last forever, dont think they eat that much) and she isnt prone to fizzing up!
thanks!
 
I would be inclined to add speedibeet/Kwikbeet and see what effect that has, instead of going straight on to nuts or mix, you could then add in a dash of oil if you want more condition and slow release energy.
 
I use baileys lo-cal balancer on my 16 yr old section B - he is most of the time a fatty, but now he's getting a bit older (he's 16) he tends to lose condition over the winter - he started the autumn on hi-fi good doer and the balancer and he really does look great - shiny ish coat (well, for a grey!), just right weight, so he has stayed on that feed as this winter he hasn't lost any condition. I think its great value also.
 
I've thought about using the lo-cal balancer. I've heard its good for feet? Has anyone else seen this?
Thanks for the replies so far
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I suppose it depends on the work you are doing with her aswell.
Over the winter my horses are out through the day on reasonable grass and in on a night. All they get is a scoop of speedi beet with some Alfa oil and broad spectrum vits/minerals. They are normally good dooers anyway but I tend to do a bit of indoor SJ and hack out through winter and I have no concerns over their energy levels.

If you check the feed bags, you will probably find that Alfa A or Alfa Oil provides the same energy as nuts/mix and provides more fibre.
 
I think you've done a great job if you've got her weight down. With the access to ad lib hay which she has and the other feed you are giving her, I think they only thing I would add would be Top Spect Anti Lam or Baileys LoCal balancer to ensure she is getting all her vitamins and minerals. I wouldn't be overly concerned with "beefing up" her feed quite honestly as it sounds like you are doing just great as you are.
 
Why not try Allen & Page Fast Fibre. It's low calorie (8 MJ/kg) and low sugar (2%). You add water x 2, e.g. 500g Fast Fibre add 1 litre water and in 60 seconds you have a lovely mash. I give this now instead of speedibeet. It costs £6.40 per bag as well which is also cheaper than speedibeet.
 
i like giving high fibre cubes in a snack-ball to keep mine interested during the night. I'd give a bit more HH (or Healthy Hoof which I now use) in a morning and evening feed and give some sugar beet. If you are giving the recommended amount you shouldn't need to add vit/mins - however if not I'd give a broad spectrum (like equivite original). You could also give some oil (or instant linseed - esp if she's a bit older and you are worried about arthritis) to help with condition.
 
George has hi-fi lite and the lo-cal balancer as he is a pretty good-doer, the balancer seems to have made his coat really shiny and the farrier has commented that his feet have improved.
 
my pony is a good doer, she has dengie good doer + balieys local + pony nuts.

if your horse isnt working i would just feed good doer + a balancer either baileys or top spec is good too. if your still concerned could add some nuts but if not working shouldnt really be neccessary if a good doer
 
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