feeding for poor coat/condition

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lizstuguinness

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My 3yr old WB has always been a skiny leggy "yearling" looker, never been able to keep weight on and she tends to have these big growth spurts overnight. Currently standing at around 16.1 - her croup looks like she will go to 17hh.

grazing has never been an issue whilst out year round on 9 acres, but this spring her coat looks dreadfull - very blotchy, patchy dull and generaly very very poor. main tail and hooves are fine.

She is currently on Alfa A Oil and topline cubes and ad lib hayledge. The top line cubes have done naff all and i have tried a feed balancer as well, but being 3 im mindfull of OCD. Id rather just feed her alfa a oli a small amount of something really good.

I was wondering about equi-jewel but thinking it might be a bit hot? (im planning on backing her next month so would like to be given a chance of staying on board!)
 
I've heard lots of good things about Linseed, apparently it really helps the coat. I haven't tried it myself yet, most people I've seen speak about it feed it micronised. It's a bit pricey, but I'm sure it's worth it. (:
 
No underlying issues i know of without doing a blood test -im putting it down to a bad winter and lots of growing!

In regards to the linseed oil - is there any difference bewteen feeding oil versus micronised? cost, digestibility etc
 
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If her coat is dull, and she generally looks poor, i'd be concerned - especially with what you are feeding. Growing like a weed is one thing, but looking dull and very, very poor as you describe would ring alarm bells.

May be worth having a worm count down, and blood tested for tapeworm perhaps?
 
I have both my 3 yo's on Baileys No1.. Adds condition without any fizz! They also get speedibeat, healthy tum, pink powder, access to mineral licks and good quality hay.. our grazing is quite rough, but seems to suit my guys!
 
my girl is on Super Supplement - Garlic, Parsley and Linseed Oil. i love it! it is only £5.90 from my local feed shop and lasts me at least a month. my girl is exceptionally shiny and very good condition.
 
I put my two on miconised linseed around 6 weeks ago - the difference in their coats is amazing. Both chestnut one shines like a new penny, the other - more liver chestnut gleams. Fabulous stuff.
 
I tried linseed before... didnt work. Baileys outshine does though, gives a nice shiney coat. Global Herbs restore may help as well.
 
I use mincronised linseed when she's changing coats.

She looks horrible at the moment; her coat is shedding faster than I can furminate it and she rolls in the mud daily but I know there's a beautify shiney summer coat under there. I like to think of her being in a catapiller stage :D
 
lizstuguinness said:
My 3yr old WB has always been a skiny leggy "yearling" looker, never been able to keep weight on and she tends to have these big growth spurts overnight. Currently standing at around 16.1 - her croup looks like she will go to 17hh.

grazing has never been an issue whilst out year round on 9 acres, but this spring her coat looks dreadfull - very blotchy, patchy dull and generaly very very poor. main tail and hooves are fine.

She is currently on Alfa A Oil and topline cubes and ad lib hayledge. The top line cubes have done naff all and i have tried a feed balancer as well, but being 3 im mindfull of OCD. Id rather just feed her alfa a oli a small amount of something really good.

I was wondering about equi-jewel but thinking it might be a bit hot? (im planning on backing her next month so would like to be given a chance of staying on board!)
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This made me laugh as we had almost the exact same problem! We found Linseed is great but only teh good quality stuff. Read this article it's pretty informative.
http://sciencesupplements.co.uk/condition
 
Sounds a lot like my youngster - I would try a supplement by Alltech called Life Force.

He has been on it for a few weeks now and I have already noticed a difference in the quality of his coat and his attitude. He's a bit of nervous kinda guy and has already started to calm down, less stressy etc.

I also have another of mine on it that I have been battling for a year to put condition on. I had the vets out etc. Even they were baffled by him.

Have a word with SlinkyUnicorn about it. :)
 
Thanks for the replies have just ordered some linseed online

PS her worm count was 70 about two weeks ago, so as i said aside from a blood test there is no underlying issues. She is having her wolf teeth out this week, as they have errupted and shes now evaiding the bit, so will get a blood test but im sure its just nutrition and the fact she wont stop growing - feed and literaly watch her grow overnight!
 
Have to say my 3 year old has recently gone all leggy and giraffe like. I've put him on Baileys Outshine and some barley rings [ which are cooked batrley and linseed]. . He's looking good.
 
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