Feeding an OAP - supplements?

[supagran]

Previously posted in wrong forum - sorry!

I have a 25yo home bred chestnut mare who is fully retired. She comes in when the weather is wet but otherwise lives out (with a rug in winter/autumn).

She is an extremely "good do-er" and always has been. Due to long term issues she is on Regumate permanently (vets advice!). I put the appropriate amount in a very small amount of veteran mix every day, and she also gets a very small amount of hay (which will increase as the grass stops growing). She is also (being an older lady) a bit stiff these days. I don't think she is getting enough hard feed to give her the amount of minerals/vitamins etc she needs, but I don't want to feed anymore hard feed for fear of her getting laminitis.

My question is – what is the best supplement I can give her to support mobility, etc etc etc? She loves to get a feed on an evening so I would propose to change her feed to a cheaper mix.

 

[GrassChop]

I feed my 19yo a mash consisting of Fast Fibre and grass nuts with boswellia, ArthriAid, salt and oily herbs. I have to say, I have tried a lot of joint supplements in the past and nothing has made a noticeable difference apart from the ArthriAid. She sometimes didn't lock her knees properly so they'd sort of pop when brushing the back of her legs, when she peed, one leg would sometimes shake where it wasn't locked and she started getting reluctant to roll; all of that has stopped since being on this. I've always been a bit skeptical on whether many supplements work but this one has actually done as it says on the tin!

I also add the grass nuts just for a bit of natural goodness/protein when needed and I'll switch the Fast Fibre to Veteran Vitality if a bit of extra weight is required but I believe they do that as a light version too. Yours might do well on Veteran Light or Fast Fibre with ArthriAid, boswellia and maybe a powder vit/min supplement.

 

[Highmileagecob]

My oldie started to lose teeth around the age of 27, which means a fair bit of his forage ration is now replaced with soaked mash and sugar beet. To bulk out the feed I mix Graze On with the sugar beet, and have started to add Mollichaff Apple as well. Mollichaff is chopped oat straw with a little molasses for palatability. He has been on Equilibra balancer for years. Not sure if a supplement would give yours any support if she is experiencing pain in her joints. You may be better having a chat with your vet. and trying a low dose NSAID

 

[Follysmum]

My 26 and 28 yr old get boswellia tumeric linseed senior pink powder and herbs
Plus ( vit e winter ) the 26 is a big shire x and is doing really well. The 28 yr old has a Bute .

They have this with grass nuts / veteran vitality .