Feeding a very good doer for energy

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Natassia

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My horse (ISH) is a very good doer, and is in light work 5/6 days a week. In the summer especially when schooling he seems to lack energy although when out hacking he is quite sharp. I think he needs a bit more energy, but I don't want it to go to his head too much. At the moment he is out in the day, in at night with 3 1/2kg hay and he is fed 1/2 scoop hi-fi good doer with his supplements. He really doesn't need to eat any more, but he does need the energy.
Slow-release energy cubes and oats (in a small quantity) have been recommended to me, has anyone else got any ideas? Any advice really appreciated, Nx
 
I'd be tempted to switch the hi-fi for a scoop of oats to have his supplements in.
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Ditto BC. I'm learning more and more about feeds (thanks Dizzy!), and oats are becoming less the demon that I thought they were - we now have Dizzy and Little Lad on them, and (so far!) no explosions
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Lol! My fat dizzy cob is fed exclusively on oats and plain chaff and does so well on them. I wouldn't go back to a compound feed now, too expensive and you don't know what's in it, which is a concern as she comes out in itchy dandruff if fed alfalfa.
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They're not the demon they've been made out to be in recent years at all, and I'd go as far to say that I've seen more horses hot up and become unmanageable on alfalfa and barley based feeds than on straight oats.
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I'm not very good at feeding straights (as other HHOs are suggesting) so in your position I would change my feed plan, probably to Allen & Page Power and Performance. I have only heard good things about this and love the brand!!
 
BC - you're words just confirm what I've been hearing recently, and what I remember from my previous life with horses! I know of a ned that used to be on the mixes, and had to be on calmer; now he's fed straights, hunts a couple of times a week, and hacks out perfectly happily, no calmer needed.

'Tis an interesting science
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I think a lot of people use a combination off different feeds without checking the compatability. If people ring up the feed manufactureres, they are more than happy to tell you what feeds you can combine, even if there's one that isn't theirs. Blue Chip were very helpful when I talked to them about the Dizzy one, and not all the feeds the Dizz has are BC ones
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In the summer especially when schooling he seems to lack energy although when out hacking he is quite sharp.

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just a thought but is he bored and being lazy, if he manages ok when out hacking?
if you are sure its not just that have a ring round the feed companies and get some free nutritional advice tailored to your horse by a dietician, always a fun afternoons pass-time
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Thanks, all good advice. Also Ali, I'll look into that feed. The thing is, he doesn't tolerate sugar very well (like a child with ADHD!) so I'd be more inclined to go for a straight feed rather than a mix that contains more starch and sugar, I know what he's getting then. And oats won't make him put on weight will they, as long as he's exercised??
 
He can be lazy, but I'm quite sure he isn't bored as his work is so varied, he is never in the school 2 days running for example and he hacks to different places etc. I'd just like him to have a bit more energy when schooling, he is forward but I'd like him to have a little bit more spark, if that makes sense.
 
indeed it does
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try the feed companies, theyre really helpful (i have a freind that rings them all the time to create diets for 'hypothetical' horses (ie made up!), but she just needs to find a new hobby!lol )
 
I would try soaked oats - have used them on various neddies - keep condition on and gives them plenty of energy with out fizziness - also loads cheaper than all the other mixes etc around - whole oats are around £5 or 6 a 20/25kg sack. Soak the oats overnight and then drain for about 15/20 mins before using. Drain through an old sack or make holes in bottom of bucket. Simple, easy to use, good value for money and horses love them!!
 
Try these feeds, two liveries on our yard use it, one does endurance on a cobx who gains weight very easily! The other is an eventer on a 'see food diet'! (sees food and puts weight on!!) They both swear by the results, increased energy levels without increased weight, the feed is low in starch too.
http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/products/horse/competition/staypower-cubes/

If you are going down the oats route then just ensure that the horse has access to either a balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement otherwise they may get defiencies in any number of areas.
http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/racing/obm.htm
 
Definately oats and meadow chaff - they are definately not the monsters we used to believe. You can also feed them whole so again they are a bit cheaper.

You can also buy Equine Balancer that you can add to the feed to ensure that he gets his vitamins and minerals.
 
Thanks for the replies, he already gets a general vitamin supplement so I'll just stick with that. Will look into the dodson and horrell cubes they look promising too!
Also slinkyunicorn, what difference does soaking make to the oats exactly?
 
It starts the enzyme activity within the kernel so the sugars start to breakdown - which is why you get the energy you need without the unwanted fizziness - also softens the outer husk which is undigestible so the inner kernel can be digested. Just make sure you drain of the water.
 
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