Feeding - Finding the right balance (this could be long!!!)

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Miss Tipps

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So. My boy is a 16.2 ISH, currently competing at BE pre-novice level. I've had him almost 2 years now and when he came to me he was fizzy and unpredictable to ride with VERY dodgy brakes. His diet at the time was pasture mix and Alfa-A. I switched the Alfa to Hifi Lite with little improvement in temperament.

Last summer he carried way too much weight and I really struggled to get it back off again.

So to combat the weight problem and also to manage the 'fizziness' I started to make changes to his diet. I decided to take away the cereals figuring that this would be beneficial for both issues. I gradually replaced the pasture mix with TopSpec CoolCondition cubes and TopSpec balancer. For a while it had a wonderful effect - the weight came off and he was certainly a lot more chilled out. He really seemed to turn around and lots of people commented on how well he looked.

However as the competition season is progressing I'm finding he's losing sparkle - he's lethargic to school and even SJ he's not 'up in front' like he should be and feels long and flat. On the one hand I know he's fit enough - he's going XC well within the time and he's, by no means, exhausted.

On the basis that oats provide the best source of energy I started to introduce bruised oats to his diet about a month ago and it did initially seem to be having an effect. Then someone suggested I use naked oats instead, so I gave my bruised ones away and moved over to naked oats.

One other thing thats changed is that I've had to start soaking his hay because what we have is quite dusty and he was coughing quite badly.

Now once again he's feeling flat and lazy - its a little bizarre because he clearly has the stamina for endurance, but he's just missing that 'ping' - I don't know how else to describe it. When I need him to be in front of the leg and moving up into the bridle it just feels like there's nothing to give.

I was wondering if it was just boredom, but I try hard not to overschool him - he has a varied exercise program. So I keep coming back to diet:

Has anyone any oats experiences - bruised v naked (or any other variations)?
Is soaking his hay making the difference?
Any other pearls of wisdom to get the sparkle without the fizz (as D&H would say)?

Rosettes for getting this far
 
I use Tiger Oats for stamina, but don't think they help the 'sparkle' you want. I use Tiger Oats because basically I am lazy and do not want to feed the vit/mineral supplement which oats need and the Tiger Oats have this pelleted in with them!

In terms of sparkle, I rang a few feed companies, and they suggested I needed a bit of more instant energy. On that basis I went with Spillers Instant Response cubes, but fed at a level well below the recommended levels (as discussed with Spillers). I started on a handful and upped it until I got the desired result, which is about a double handful once a day.

The other way to do it, which I have done in the past, is just to add in for 3 days before a comp - keeps them quieter at home!

Certainly this has worked for me, so is worth a try?
 
Thanks SpottedCat, thats definitely worth a try. I'll probably give Spillers a call and get their advice on how that would fit in with what I feed already, but just using it before competing to put a bit of bounce in his bungie might do the trick.


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Just to confuse you even more...whenever H loses her sparkle and her forwardness declines the usual reason is that she's in pain - she has lameness issues and the first signs are that she becomes difficult to ride and "slows down" rather than showing any signs of actual lameness - Have you had your horse checked out?
Kate x
 
Like SpottedCat I fed my eventer Tiger Oats, they seemed to work well.
When my current TB was in competition work I fed him Spillers slow release energy mix. I was worried if I fed him an instant mix he might become difficult to manage and handle. It's a case of finding out what works for your horse but it did work with mine.
I'd definitely stay away from both Alfafa A and pasture mix as both sent all mine bonkers.
 
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Just to confuse you even more...whenever H loses her sparkle and her forwardness declines the usual reason is that she's in pain - she has lameness issues and the first signs are that she becomes difficult to ride and "slows down" rather than showing any signs of actual lameness - Have you had your horse checked out?
Kate x

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Ditto, when my mare back/saddle weren't right she was worse than a snail. She became lame eventually.
You also said his fitness etc was fine which was the same as my girl, still jumpinh xc happily.
I'd go for the general checks (teeth, back, saddle , maybe vet check) before consulting diet
Hope this helps
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Thanks Marchtime - that was exactly my conclusion on the Alfa/pasture mix and its nice to have it backed up
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I actually use Simple Systems lucie stalks now.

No Mardigras, I'm not concerned about back, saddle etc. I have an excellent osteopath who treats him regularly and with regard to his dressage saddle coincidentally it was only checked about a week ago when my saddler was on the yard to see another horse. He's sluggish SJ too and thats the same saddle we go XC in with no problems.

He's due his flu/tet in a week or 3 anyway, so I can get my vet to give him a general once over. Can't rule anything out, but the general pattern of things does seem to point to diet.

Thanks guys for all taking the time to reply
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I too have a horse sent nuts by Alfa A, so count me in on that little club! Just try convincing people that though, they think you are bonkers!!
 
Interesting about the Alpha A, I have just cut conditioning flakes out of her diet as she was getting fizzy but left the Alpha A, she is a bit better but I may try reducing the Alpha A. What type of chaff do you feed if any?????
 
Horsemad12 I simply feed Dengi Hi Fi rather than Alpha A. I find it keeps the weight on without the naughtiness that Alpha A causes.
SpottedCat - thank god someone else believes me! Both my TB's turned evil on Alpha A. Started biting, kicking etc, I think they had so much energy they didn't know where to channel it. As you say though it's hard to convince others that it really can be such a problem. I currently buy my own Dengi for my horse despite the fact that he's on full livery as they only stock Alpha A!
 
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