Feeding for extra energy WITHOUT grains

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EquestrianFairy

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I need to feed my grain intolerant gelding something for energy as he is working harder and could do with the help.

The problem is every feed place I ring suggests something with grain in, hes currently only on Saracen Re-lieve and Dengie Healthy Tummy.

Any ideas?
 
hes never had them, nor has them now (scoped clear) but he shows typical grain intolerance when fed them pretty much instantly.. girthy, unhappy to have leg on, very tail swishy.

however if fed his usual feed which is supposed to be good for ulcer prone horses then hes fine and doesn't even turn his head when girthed up. My other horse has had ulcers so I guess I'm extra careful anyway.
 
when I rang and asked about coolstance copra I was told that its a conditioning feed- my pony certainly needs no help in the conditioning area.

Was I told wrong?
 
I have natives that need an extra boost, esp at stay away shows, I also feed as above grass nuts, linseed, copra etc, all these keep condition/put condition on, so for an extra boost I feed top spec performance cubes a couple of days before and on show morning, grass nuts are fab but really put condition on my guys, I found it really hard to find something cereal free, mine also have a handful of dates before going in the show ring for an instant energy boost too!
 
You say he is ONLY on Saracen Releve and Healthy Tummy but Saracen Releve is a high calorie/energy for working horses who cannot tolerate grain/high levels of starch, which should be perfect for him? Are you feeding him the recommended amount or are you not able to do so because of weight gain?
 
TGM said:
You say he is ONLY on Saracen Releve and Healthy Tummy but Saracen Releve is a high calorie/energy for working horses who cannot tolerate grain/high levels of starch, which should be perfect for him? Are you feeding him the recommended amount or are you not able to do so because of weight gain?
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Hes getting one stubb scoop a day which is what they told me to feed him, in actual fact they sent me a measure and said to feed two measures which works out under a stubbs scoop so I guess hes getting a tad more than he should.

They were the first people I rang and they suggested Equi Jewel but said it is mainly a conditioning feed (which I don't want nor need) they also suggested the Enduro one which has some oats in it so I gave it a go just incase but ended up throwing away pretty much a full bag.

Ive had his back/saddle checked today just incase it was causing any problems but nothing could be found, I have them checked every 3 months anyway but I wanted to be sure. Someone suggested Red Cell?
 
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What actual problems are you experiencing that makes you think that he is lacking energy? Sounds like he is getting plenty of energy providing food. Is he an older horse who might be getting a little stiff, or could there be some other health problem like a virus etc - is it worth getting bloods done?
 
Aside from feeling quite lack lustre he also forges more than normal. He probably only does it once in a while when hes full of energy but when hes lacking he does it quite a lot. I never thought about a virus, if hes feeling a little under the weather hes probably not fully working correctly anyway. He had his flu/tet jab about a week ago but today was particularly bad that I ended up putting him back out. Its not all the time, just occasionally and I assumed it was just him needing some extra oomph. Hes 13 but has low mileage, was xrayed last year due to lameness and found to have pulled a ligament in his back (had a fall) which was injected and treated successfully. No arthritis was found as they ended up xraying him from head to toe. Long story! But I do make sure hes warmed up properly to save any problems.
 
Any chance he could be reacting to grass, OP? When my gelding used to bd footie he forged at the back and was quite lethargic. He was diagnosed with EMS in 2012. Keeping him restricted at danger times (including periods of sunny showers) has done wonders. I supplement the grazing with a mix of haylage and barley straw (he coughs on soaked hay!).
 
"Condition" is just energy that hasn't been used up. So, if he has plenty of condition, but no oomph then maybe the problem isn't the feed.
 
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