Feeding advice please! Pics

jenbleep

jenbleep

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 November 2005
Messages
14,674
Location
North West
Visit site
Hello all :)

Well currently Charisma is being fed nothing as her owner thinks she doesn't need it. Yes she is rather round so she doesn't need food for weight but the grass is not exactly lush and I'm worried that she isn't getting the nutrients she needs. Not only that but Charisma can get 'flat' and I like to compete once or twice a month, and want her feeling well.

Here is a pic of her from about a month ago:

utf-8BSU1HMDA0MTItMjAxMTA1MTAtMTc0NC5qcGc.jpg


And here she is tonight:

utf-8BSU1HMDA1MDEtMjAxMTA2MTMtMTkxMC5qcGc.jpg


I know she has a fat belly but I think her topline could be better?

Plus she has awful feet so would like to get some biotin in her somehow!!

Can anyone help? I don't know what to feed her and how much to feed her without her getting fat but enough to keep her healthy and full of vitality :D ;)

FYI she is ridden 5 times a week, mostly hacking but with a lesson or jump once a week. I should really school more but do school on hacks (she is more forward going on a hack than in the school!!) During the Winter she was on Baileys #4, Alpha A Oil, Soya Oil, Pink Powder and Biotin.

Like I have mentioned her owner thinks she doesn't need anything but I think for the work I'm asking her to do, she might?

????????????

Hmm looking at the photos now I think she has lost muscle?!?!?
 
:D i think she looks in good condition and looks like a nice type, but if you want to compete seriously you will prob need to give her something even if its only a balancer to give her all the vits and minerals she needs. i only hack mine but as she is 20, i give her half a scoop of happy hoof and a measure of formula 4 feet(as well as plenty of turnout,) which i find keeps her in good condition and her feet are now excellent..
 
I think her owner is right in that she doesn't need feed as such - I definitely wouldn't be filling her with mix or such like. However, if you are worried about her feet and vit/mins then a supplement or balancer with hoof supplement included would be a good idea and you can just feed that in a bit of chaff or beet.
 
If she is losing muscle then the work is exceeding the exercise and she needs to replace the muscle and for that she neds additional protein.

Suggest that you start with some oats and add her supplements for her feet. Whatever volume of oats you give her then give the same or double the volume in meadow chaff. probably a kilo of oats. Build the muscle again by schooling in a frame and steady roadwork in trot. Again keeping her in a frame.

She is a lovely sort you are lucky to have the ride on such a nice horse.
 
Evelyn said:
She is a lovely sort you are lucky to have the ride on such a nice horse.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I am very lucky she is such a sweetie :D

Thanks for all your comments and advice everyone, I am a worrier! (So is Charisma :) )

I think a balancer is the way forward, as I said she doesn't need the weight just want her to get all she needs! If she gets any fatter I won't be able to gallop hehe.
 
Evelyn said:
If she is losing muscle then the work is exceeding the exercise and she needs to replace the muscle and for that she neds additional protein.
Click to expand...

With regards to adding protein, should I add some baileys # 4? I had her on oats a few years ago and it send her doolally. :D
 
Most balancers provide good quality protein, so you shouldn't need to add extra. Remember that if you are trying to build muscle in the right places, then the quality of ridden work is as important as the amount of work and the type of feed. Some horses can have lots of muscle but in the wrong places - ie a lot of horses build up a big muscle under the neck if they work in a hollow outline. Topline will only improve if she is worked correctly and consistently with a soft back and neck.
 
Last edited:
TGM said:
Most balancers provide good quality protein, so you shouldn't need to add extra. Remember that if you are trying to build muscle in the right places, then the quality of ridden work is as important as the amount of work and the type of feed. Some horses can have lots of muscle but in the wrong places - ie a lot of horses build up a big muscle under the neck if they work in a hollow outline. Topline will only improve if she is worked correctly and consistently with a soft back and neck.
Click to expand...

Excellent, that's all I need to know thanks TGM.

Can you recommend any particular balancer? I'll Google some now :)

I know about the muscle thing - she has a tendancy to pull me along on her forehand (her conf doesn't help!) so I really try to get her backside underneath her and work round, otherwise she'll end up with a tiny bum and huge shoulders. Hehe :D
 
A lot of people like Top Spec Comprehensive Balancer because it is lower in starch than many of the other balancers, although I do know the odd one or two horses that seem to react badly to it. It also contains ingredients designed to improve hoof quality.

The Spillers Original Balancer is also quite low starch and contains hoof supplements.

If you are concerned about protein intake then be aware that a lot of the lite/low calorie/lami balancers have a lower protein content that the standard ones.

This site has an analysis of various balancers and supplements:

http://www.freewebs.com/higgyleiko/

although I think it was created before Spillers introduced their range of balancers.

Obviously you need to feed by eye and monitor her condition and energy level. If her condition drops or she lacks energy then you can add an extra source of calories to the balancer, whether that be beet, oats, grass products etc.
 
Last edited:
I use Baileys Low Cal Balancer for my TBx mare (she tends to gain a ton of weight as soon as summer hits) She also works 5/6 days a week and I feel that she should be eating something for the nutrients and vitamins she needs. This said I needed something which woudlnt balloon her which is why I chose this balancer.
She is looking wonderful at the moment, minus a bit of weight that still needs losing :o, But her top line is perfect, her coat is gleaming, and her feet have improved. She also started to get cracked hooves this years so wanted something which would help her feet too.
I contacted the Baileys nutritionists who worked out exactly how much I should be feeding her of the balancer and what to add to it which was really helpful! She not has that and a tiny bit of chaff a day so she is gettinmg all she needs but not putting on weight! :D
 
baker190 said:
I use Baileys Low Cal Balancer for my TBx mare (she tends to gain a ton of weight as soon as summer hits) She also works 5/6 days a week and I feel that she should be eating something for the nutrients and vitamins she needs. This said I needed something which woudlnt balloon her which is why I chose this balancer.
She is looking wonderful at the moment, minus a bit of weight that still needs losing :o, But her top line is perfect, her coat is gleaming, and her feet have improved. She also started to get cracked hooves this years so wanted something which would help her feet too.
I contacted the Baileys nutritionists who worked out exactly how much I should be feeding her of the balancer and what to add to it which was really helpful! She not has that and a tiny bit of chaff a day so she is gettinmg all she needs but not putting on weight! :D
Click to expand...

This is really helpful, thank you. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top