Feeding for extra 'sparkle' - advice please

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cpendle

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Hi

I have a rising 5 year old dressage horse, who can be quite 'stuffy' when ridden. He's currently being fed on conditioning cubes and alfa a oil, but is now looking a bit portly!

I would like to change his feed to something that will encourage him to slim down a bit and add a bit of 'sparkle' to his way of going. But without him going silly on me - he's not a total dobbin and does have days when he'll spook and whip round - so I feel I've got a bit of a balancing act to play.

My trainer's suggested half a scoop of rolled oats a day - but I've never fed straight oats before and am a bit wary.

Any advice gratefully received.
 
If you get in touch with one of the big feed companies (eg baileys) and give them details of your horse they will advise you what feeds and how much to give.
 
I had this prob with my 5 yo jumper, (I need to keep the weight on him though) I spoke to baileys they recommended their comp mix as it has oats in it as well as some outshine. I haven't tried it yet as I buy feed by the month so will be changing in a few weeks. Fingers crossed
 
My horse lacked a bit of sparkle last summer but I didn't want him to fizz up (sharp enough!) or gain loads of weight. I gave him a small cup of Baileys Competition mix for dinner and a handful for breakfast and that worked wonders
 
We have a pony who puts on weight very easily and we've spent all winter getting him down to the right size but we would like him to have that "extra sparkle". We've tried D&H power muesli but didn't work as you have to feed quite alot of it and now we're trying tiger oats but don't think thats working. Next step will be to phone the feed companies, when we have used up the tiger oats, which may be a while
 
I've heard tiger oats aren't crushed enough so they dont actually get that much oat from them (they can't digest the husk to get to the kernal inside) so maybe try a different brand of nuts Lou

As for more sparkle, oats could do it, they're v good as you can build them up or down as you need them.
 
What breed is your horse.
My horse is coming back into work and is very lazy .Hes a tb 7 in may.I dont want to send him ott but would love a bit more sparkle .He can go from dobbin to a time bomb if his adrenaline levels go up.Hes bored at the moment and its driving me crazy trying to get some life and enthusiasm back.He has another 2 weeks before he can start trot work then another month before canter hes so demotivated with walking out .Im unsure if its boredom or feed related.He maintains his weight well on pasture mix alpha oil and beet plus top spec balancer.I wondered if the comp mix might send him mad haylage seems to be the only thing that really winds him up.
 
Me?

He's a warmblood - very spooky and sensitive. Went 'flat' last summer (even noticed it causing a lose of some marks in dressage tests) but as soon as I put him on the competition mix he was back to his old self (with no extra sharpness).
 
I ahve a ISH who gets fat and lazy throughout the summer given half a chance, and is meant to be an eventer!! Have found Allen and Page Comp Mix light excellent for giving them umph without making him fat!! Also didnt make him illy which can happen occasionally. He will be going back on it in the height of summer I think. Currently on Baileys endurance mix which is fab for keeping a cool head, he looks great and feels fab. Also worth a try for less "instant" energy? Has belancer in it so can be fed in small rations to control weight
smile.gif
 
I had the same problem in January - needed sparkle but pony goes loopy on oats. Following some feed advice from a local feed guy he suggested Spillers Slow release energy competition mix. Its fab and does just what I need. Lots of sparkle and no fizzyness. (she only has half a jug full twice a day plus chaff as she get porky quick too)
 
Check that your horse is on a balanced diet (he will be if you are feeding the correct ration of a good compound feed, or add a broad spectrum supplement). Sometimes when horses arent getting all they need they can get a bit 'stuffy'. As for hard feed, i would try the SPillers Response range - give them a call. I used to use it on an old pony - had her on a combo of their slow release mix and instant release mix. If i felt she needed more 'oomph' gave her more of the instant, if she was being a bit crazy that week, gradually gave her more of the slow release and reduced the instant.......
 
Allen & Page do a mix but I can't for the life of me remember what they call it now, but its really good, fast release engery mix, feed it a few hours before you complete and you'll have a little more spritiness without the stupidness in your horse.

I used to feed it to my previous horse who although was very fit, still was a bit lethargic...definitely worked!
 
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