Feeding Confusion

[Cls23]

Hello everyone, after some advice for my WB x cob 7 year old gelding. Been on the above feed since September lives out 24/7 and has ad-lib haylage November to Now, he’s come out of winter spot on but with the wet weather this year suffered with abscess after abscess. He is barefoot and I would like to keep him that way but he never grows any foot, farrier always just tidies his feet up. I’m going to get him some hoof boots when we start work again.

Is his diet enough for everything he needs to build muscle and overall health? He has previously shown riggish behaviour but is definitely had both bits off. I’ve contacted a few natural feed merchants but they are all stupidly expensive. I aim to work him 3/4 times a week hacking and groundwork. All this research has made my brain explode.
Any friendly advice welcomed.

 

[holeymoley]

Not my cup of tea for a barefoot. I’d go along the lines of Simple Systems feeds. They’re really not dear at all in comparison to other big brands.

Sugar and starch is too high for me and I don’t like the GM soya or the flaked peas. Or the unmollassed sweet pulp whatever that is?

 

[Cls23]

Thank you holeymoley. Any advice on which Simple Systems feeds to look at?

 

[be positive]

It is higher in sugar and starch than desired for barefoot and is probably not balanced well enough to promote foot growth, try Equimins supplements, I have 2 on them, 1 on hoof mender as he has poor quality feet, the other in the advanced complete but she is not growing her feet as fast as we would like although they are very strong so she will probably go onto the hoof mender next winter to see if they grow faster, both have seen improvements since being on it and it is easy to feed as the pellets mix in to the base feed.

Linseed is good to promote growth so adding that to a lower sugar and starch feed would be a good way forward, mine have a base of grassnuts to carry the supplement and linseed and have come out of the winter looking very well.

 

[Cls23]

It is higher in sugar and starch than desired for barefoot and is probably not balanced well enough to promote foot growth, try Equimins supplements, I have 2 on them, 1 on hoof mender as he has poor quality feet, the other in the advanced complete but she is not growing her feet as fast as we would like although they are very strong so she will probably go onto the hoof mender next winter to see if they grow faster, both have seen improvements since being on it and it is easy to feed as the pellets mix in to the base feed.

Linseed is good to promote growth so adding that to a lower sugar and starch feed would be a good way forward, mine have a base of grassnuts to carry the supplement and linseed and have come out of the winter looking very well.

Thank you. I’ve looked into Equimins supplements but it’s knowing what to put it with. So what brand of grassnuts do you use? Would linseed oil be ok or linseed in a bag better?

 

[be positive]

Thank you. I’ve looked into Equimins supplements but it’s knowing what to put it with. So what brand of grassnuts do you use? Would linseed oil be ok or linseed in a bag better?

I prefer micronised linseed as it is easier to increase it if required whereas oil can be hard to get them to eat once it goes over a certain level, mine will eat the equimins and linseed with nothing added in summer when I want to limit their feed.

I use whatever they have in, usually Aylescott, they are still high in sugar but it is natural rather than added and very low in starch, there are some available lower in sugar and if you really want to go low there are other feeds such as pink mash that is very low in both.

 

[Flamenco]

Equimins is a good option, so is Progressive Earth Pro Balance or Pro Hoof. Mel who runs Progressive Earth is very helpful if you email her for advice. She's a barefoot trimmer who trained in nutrition.

I mix the powder with speedibeet, micronised linseed and chaff. I use mollasses free happy hoof but anything low sugar and starch should be fine.

 

[Cls23]

Equimins is a good option, so is Progressive Earth Pro Balance or Pro Hoof. Mel who runs Progressive Earth is very helpful if you email her for advice. She's a barefoot trimmer who trained in nutrition.

I mix the powder with speedibeet, micronised linseed and chaff. I use mollasses free happy hoof but anything low sugar and starch should be fine.

Thank you for this, do you find it gives enough energy for light work?

 

[Flamenco]

Yes its fine, you shouldn't really need to feed for energy if only in light work, especially with spring grass.

 

[Mahoganybay]

If you can spare £50 or a little more then I would highly recommend getting in touch with an independent equine nutritionist.

i have just used a fantastic and very knowledgeable lady for my mare who i was concerned she wasn’t getting a balanced diet for various issues.

it was done remotely by completing and in-depth form and sending through photos.

PM me if you want to know her details.

 

[Cls23]

Yes its fine, you shouldn't really need to feed for energy if only in light work, especially with spring grass.

Meant to put muscle building too but guessing that will come from all that to over time

 

[Leo Walker]

You can feed equimins on its own or with a carrier of your choice. I use pink mash and meadow magic grass nuts. Just make sure starch and sugar combined in under 10%. I'd add salt as well. 10gms per 100kgs of bodyweight, and linseed. I don't add linseed though as its in pink mash

 

[Leo Walker]

Thank you for this, do you find it gives enough energy for light work?

what energy do you need from feed for light work?! My mares in hard work, almost at eventing fitness and she gets a handful of oats after she works. Shes bursting out of her skin with energy. Most cob types will turn feed energy into fat very effectively.

 

[Cls23]

You can feed equimins on its own or with a carrier of your choice. I use pink mash and meadow magic grass nuts. Just make sure starch and sugar combined in under 10%. I'd add salt as well. 10gms per 100kgs of bodyweight, and linseed. I don't add linseed though as its in pink mash

Thanks Leo that’s really helpful