Feeding for Condition, Calm and Cheap

[Jarn1718]

I have 4 at the moment - 2 are in at night and the other 2 are out 24/7 unclipped, out of work but 0g rugged (we have harsh fen winds here!).

Stabled 1 - 17hh ID Hunter 17yo. Been out of work for a year, we’ve just got him and going to get him fit for leading pony out hunting. Want more condition on him but nothing to excite him, his job is babysitter - literally! Doesn’t seem to be a particularly good doer at the mo. Fully clipped.

Stabled 2 - 11.2hh Welsh A 14yo. Fit and raring to go, happy with how she looks. Good doer but still drops of I’m not feeding her enough now she’s in work and fully clipped.

Both Ad Lib Hay overnight, turnout during the day (grazing is a bit pants) so hay in field.

Field Kept 1 - 15hh Welsh D Mare. Looking well. Of course! good doer.

Field Kept 2 - 15.2hh 2yo WBX Filly. Would like a bit more on her and want to make sure she’s got enough of whatever she needs! She’s a good doer but definitely drops off in winter.

Currently being fed on Baileys Lo Cal Balancer, Dengie Alfa A Oil, BHF Fibre Beet, Big Hunter on Protexin 15 Plus supplement and all have a glug of linseed oil.

Trying to make sure we keep them all on the same thing as much as possible but it’s crazy expensive! Any ideas on how to reduce costs with any other brands? My feed bill last month was £350! Or is this normal?! I’ve never spent much more than a bag of pony nuts on my horses before, having seriously good doers always!

Thanks in advance

 

[Spotherisk]

For your poor doers, I’d up the rugs, make sure they have plenty of forage, maybe haulage instead of hay if possible and if their brains can tolerate it I’d feed rolled barley and sugar beet. What are you feeding the Alfa A for? It can be a complete feed I think (that’s what Dengie always used to say when I owned a feed merchants) but you’d have to feed a lot of it!

Edited to say I’d put the youngster on the same feed but less, and add in something like Baileys Stud Balancer or D&H Suregrow, or Rowan Barbary will have a suitable feed.

 

[Jarn1718]

The Alfa A was just recommended by Bailey’s as a chaff bulk feed. Any other suggestions?
So instead of fibre beet, sugar beet? And no balancer? What about linseed? Thanks for your help!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would just add micronised linseed for the ones that need condition.

I would also ask why the alpha a it can be rocket fuel for some horses, you could possibly find a cheaper balancer powdered ones are often cheaper.

You could swap the fibre beet for just 12 hour soak unmolassed sugar beet it's much cheaper but just as good.

 

[gallopingby]

O turnout rugs aren’t helpful for cold horses, they flatten the coat and don’t do any more than keep the rain off. I would up the rugs if the winds are particually strong and little shelter. Do your horses feel warm when out in the field? Assuming worming is up to date l’d swap to a mash type feed for those that need it, the Rowan Barbary Red contains additional milk pellets and seems to work well at increasing weight.

 

[Jarn1718]

Alpha A was recommended by baileys in a feed recommendation, what else do you suggest in terms of a bulk/chaff? Or none at all?
And the unmollassed sugar beet - will that help with condition just as much as fibre beet?
Ok micronised linseed noted. For conditioning effects on a 17hh hunter how much would you recommend? And does it make them fizzy?

 

[Jarn1718]

Ye

O turnout rugs aren’t helpful for cold horses, they flatten the coat and don’t do any more than keep the rain off. I would up the rugs if the winds are particually strong and little shelter. Do your horses feel warm when out in the field? Assuming worming is up to date l’d swap to a mash type feed for those that need it, the Rowan Barbary Red contains additional milk pellets and seems to work well at increasing weight.

Yes all feel warm in field. They have shelter too… ok fab I’ll look into it thanks!

 

[TGM]

What are you feeding the Alfa A for? It can be a complete feed I think (that’s what Dengie always used to say when I owned a feed merchants) but you’d have to feed a lot of it!

Dengie Alfa A Oil is not a complete feed, as it is not supplemented with broad spectrum vitamins and minerals. Dengie do manufacture some complete feeds though, such as Dengie Healthy Hooves and Dengie Healthy Tummy, so perhaps that is where the confusion has come in.

 

[ihatework]

I wouldn’t feed them all that bucket fibre - fill them up on ad-lib big bale haylage (much more cost effective) alongside being diligent on teeth/worming etc. A smaller bucket feed of some form of fibre mash / grass nuts to carry any supps if needed. I’d ditch the lo-cal personally. Omega rice or conditioning cubes for anything needing to gain.