Feeding a veteran

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Sallyanne95

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My 22 year old horse is currently on allen and page veteran vitality. Is that enough or is it worth putting a veteran supplement in? Will it add extra things that are needed or is it just a waste of money?
 
It would depend on what sort of condition he's in? Does he look well on it or do you think he needs more? No point feeding stuff just for the sake of it? Though I feed my 21 year old a joint supplement as well, not sure what good it really does though ;).

x x
 
AlexHyde said:
It would depend on what sort of condition he's in? Does he look well on it or do you think he needs more? No point feeding stuff just for the sake of it? Though I feed my 21 year old a joint supplement as well, not sure what good it really does though ;).

x x
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He seems to be in good condition could probably do with a but extra on his bum but that's more muscle he needs.
I was thinking for more like his overall health say his joints and stuff and I know some veteran supplements have joint stuff in too so thought it might be worth a try (not that he seems stiff or anything it's more to help him last longer if you know what I mean?)

He does also get garlic and seaweed ATM (the seaweed has made his coat lovely but not sure if the garlic actually does anything!!)
 
I have a 23 year old, looking fab atm; I don't see the need to feed anything other than a base like Speedibeet or like me I feed SS Lucie nuts; Linseed is amazing for their joints/hooves and coat; Recent findings ( an article in HandH a few weeks ago ) found that joint supplement do diddly squat and that movement was the only thing that helped joints.

Not sure why but I think I read that garlic and seaweed is not that good for horses
 
What does the manufacturer of the feed say ? if you are feeding the quantity it says, does it say there will be enough in it of vits and mins etc ?

I use Equimins liquid joint supplement. Up until yesterday my horse has been doing fab on it, he tweaked his tendon yesterday, injury from 2 years ago, so nothing to do with the joint supplement. He is 35

You could ring Allen and Page I find feed manufacturers are very helpful and not always bias to their own feed
 
I think you only need to feed the horse in front of you, nothing veteran specific particularly

I think the science behind joint supplements is particularly ropey anyway so don't feed one. I wouldn't be feeding seaweed (too high in iodine) or garlic (affects the gut microflora) either.

micronised linseed (in higher levels) or coolstance copra are get for condition without molasses if required while the linseed is also good for oil provision and not bad for good doers in smaller quantities.

Mine is doing very well on speedibeet/oats - as he is quite a fit and busy chap!/linseed and a no iron vit/mineral supplement (equimins advanced complete pellets).
 
I have found Simple Systems to be great for my old pony as it can all be soaked which is easier for him to eat. It is also unmollased so doesn't provide too many by products for an old system to have to process. Worth giving them a ring, I found them incredibly helpful.
 
The seaweed is for his coat and hooves and I must say since being on it they do look in better quality!!
The garlic was for flies as was told it would help.. not 100% sure about that one he still gets rather irritated by flies.

I use to feed my old horse on copra but my current one doesn't need condition as such just it being kept the way he is and it must have something to help the older horse in els how do they get away with saying it's good for older horses? Me and my horse both personally like the feed :)
 
AngieandBen said:
I have a 23 year old, looking fab atm; I don't see the need to feed anything other than a base like Speedibeet or like me I feed SS Lucie nuts; Linseed is amazing for their joints/hooves and coat; Recent findings ( an article in HandH a few weeks ago ) found that joint supplement do diddly squat and that movement was the only thing that helped joints.

Not sure why but I think I read that garlic and seaweed is not that good for horses
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I'm going to look into linseed. I have also heard mixed reviews about the two but I guess it depends on the horse seaweed is helping mine with his coat and hooves (don't know if the garlic does anything) but I thought why would they sell it advertised as good for horses if it isn't? You'd be getting into trouble all the time and wouldn't be worth it??
 
Doormouse said:
I have found Simple Systems to be great for my old pony as it can all be soaked which is easier for him to eat. It is also unmollased so doesn't provide too many by products for an old system to have to process. Worth giving them a ring, I found them incredibly helpful.
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Thank you, will have a look :)
 
Ive found spirulina as a good protein source for help with muscles and coat along with linseed :)
My veteran is on calm and condition as the VV wasn't enough for her weight to maintain
 
they can pretty much sell anything with random claims! seaweed is not longer recommended for supplementing because of it's high iodine content as I said, and unless your horse smells of garlic I don't imagine it is helping with the flies. It also causes anaemia.
 
ester said:
they can pretty much sell anything with random claims! seaweed is not longer recommended for supplementing because of it's high iodine content as I said, and unless your horse smells of garlic I don't imagine it is helping with the flies. It also causes anaemia.
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I still don't get why they would sell things if they don't work as it would be a bad idea for them but oh we'll.

I was ways told growing up garlic for flies but my horse is still bothered by flies so what will help? He gets covered in fly spray and fly rug plus mask.
 
Hi I have had many veterans (30 years an owner) sadly just lost my favourite boy that I bred. However another 35 year old is still going strong. He is a TB x so not good at keeping weight on the behind area. He has Calm & Condition for this all year round with Cod-livine supplement. The best thing I can say is call Allen & Page or email them. They are brilliant with information they've always helped me, and they know what the food has in. No point spending money on supplements that the feed has in.

Garlic isn't a bad thing to feed it is good it helps the blood. Many feeds now have garlic in them so it isn't always necessary to buy separately. As for keeping the flies away, I add cloves into my fly spray rather than feeding it and that works better. I found rugs are a pain once a flies in it annoys the horse, mine got bitten like mad with a rug however making additions to a citronella based spray with Garlic cloves (not crushed helped).

Just like our food people will always find good & bad in everything. Read everyone's tips then remember its your horse so do what you feel is right.
 
Mags&Sis said:
Hi I have had many veterans (30 years an owner) sadly just lost my favourite boy that I bred. However another 35 year old is still going strong. He is a TB x so not good at keeping weight on the behind area. He has Calm & Condition for this all year round with Cod-livine supplement. The best thing I can say is call Allen & Page or email them. They are brilliant with information they've always helped me, and they know what the food has in. No point spending money on supplements that the feed has in.

Garlic isn't a bad thing to feed it is good it helps the blood. Many feeds now have garlic in them so it isn't always necessary to buy separately. As for keeping the flies away, I add cloves into my fly spray rather than feeding it and that works better. I found rugs are a pain once a flies in it annoys the horse, mine got bitten like mad with a rug however making additions to a citronella based spray with Garlic cloves (not crushed helped).

Just like our food people will always find good & bad in everything. Read everyone's tips then remember its your horse so do what you feel is right.
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I have just emailed allen and page :)

I have heard good things about garlic and that should be in the daily feed (I don't think VV has it in) so will probably keep that regardless of not helping with flies.

Do you make your own fly spray or just add the cloves to a shop bought one? And how many cloves do you add? Sounds like worth a try :) he's not too badly bitten they just bother him a lot when flying around he stamps a lot and shakes his head quite abit.

Thank you.
 
Not talking opinion, recent science alerting people to the contraindications of something previously fed quite a bit which I think anyone who chooses to feed it should be aware of - hence my comments on this post and links to why I have those thoughts.
Can you not elaborate on how it is good for the blood please? I don't think it is appropriate to make such claims on an advice thread unless it can be backed up when there is information that says it is anything but good for the blood specifically.
Plenty of old horses have done perfectly well in less than perfect situations, it doesn't really prove anything.
 
I was told years ago by a vet. As far as I'm concerned this is a forum for public. If scientific facts are required then telephone a vet. I gave an opinion to the person asking. Frankly I'm not bothered who does & doesn't feed it.
 
I have spoken to both naf (as it's their products I use) and they recommended that I carry on using the garlic (plus a couple others they recommended. I also spoke to allen and page who where also very helpful!!

Thank you for all your advice everyone :)
 
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