feeding for condition safely

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Violett

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Hi, our dartmoor still needs condition - he had a virus when first bought and lost all his summer condition - he has been fed hay,top spec feed balancer and alpha a oil with a dash of extra oil. He is exercised about 5 times a week for 30 - 60 mins. He seems to tuck ap at shows with travel etc have been holding off feeding anything extra as hoping spring grass would fill him out .

Put him on horsehage high fibre for a show which he obviously prefer to hay - will this help with condition?

Also just introduced speedi beet - told to try Baileys No.4 / calm & condition but i feed my ponies as a lamanitic ( no cereal etc) so worried about those - any ideas?
 
Is he kept in or out? How many feeds a day and how much do you feed? Does he get hay ad lib (ie is there some left in the morning if stabled)?

If he prefers Horsehage to hay, then he might eat more of it, which will obviously help - increasing the intake of forage is the first thing to do when feeding a horse that lacks condition!
 
hi, normally adlib hay always lots left - gulped his slices horsehage high fibre .

out 8am - till 4pm unless extreme weather.

fed 2 feeds: 1 level round scoop alpha a oil
150gr top spec feed balancer]#
dollop soya oil
just introduced mug speedi beet

i know he fattenas up with baileys no 4 but that has creeal

help
 
Baileys outshine. I have a horse that showed signs of laminitis on a scan, but hes dreadfull at keeping weight in the winter, but this feed is brilliant, alot of people on here dont seem to like it because of the price, but its around £30 for a sack, and lasts my 14.2 about a month, not bad in my opinion, as it really does do the job!
 
its quite a lot for a native to get already.
i would check he is over his virus before working him and exposing his immune system to new pathogens at shows etc, and also check his teeth and worm counts.(and worm for tape/encysted worms)
also make sure hes not too cold/hot as this can cause weight loss.
if alls well i would increase the alfa a oil and feed more hay too if its not already ad lib.
feed as many small feeds per day as practical.
speedi beet will also help increase condition.
you could add in something like outshine or a fat based product as its safe for laminitics-however the total amount of fat fed could end up being really high as hes already on alda a oil plus added oil, so he may need a vitamin e suppliment. a high oil diet can reduce absorbtion of certain vitamins and irritate the gut.
 
top spec cool condition is very good and cereal free.
pink powder is great for a pony getting over a virus etc, you add it to the feed for a month to kick start the digestive system
can also recommend winergy equilibrium, the growth version is very good for putting on weight and again is cereal free

good luck
smile.gif
 
he looks a lot better today so i think the main problem is he has been picky over his hay but loves the horsehage so i think i will hold off major changes
wink.gif
as he is definately over virus ( blood tested), wormed & teeth done but thanks for your replies
 
I'm inclined to agree with you there. Slow and steady should do it and don't let the fatties in the line up (hopefully not too many) persuade you to overtop yours. The grass will be here soon and that should put a smile on his face!
 
[ QUOTE ]

you could add in something like outshine or a fat based product as its safe for laminitics-however the total amount of fat fed could end up being really high as hes already on alda a oil plus added oil, so he may need a vitamin e suppliment. a high oil diet can reduce absorbtion of certain vitamins and irritate the gut.

[/ QUOTE ]

Outshine is fully balanced, therefore provides the vitamins reuired to digest the oil (this is mainly vitamin e and selenium).
 
thanks - i may speak to Baileys about outshine etc - he\is still eating horsehage and as fizzes up on mollasses based feeds are holding off any feeds with mollasses in as all his feeds are cereal and mollassess free - i would rather have a safe pony than a better looking fruitcake!
 
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