Feeding help

I_A_P

I_A_P

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Posted in here as well as I know more of you!

Ok, my boy is 16.1 ISH, is quite easy to keep condition on and is pretty well muscle toned although anything to help this would benefit him as we are really working on getting him using himself properly and expect him to build more muscle. He is more TB type (see previous posts with photos). He has had foot problems in the past (not sure how much of this was down to previous farrier though as they are much better now!) however anything that can improbe the quality of hoof and growth would be great as he is quite flat footed. feet are a work in progress so anything that helps him long term feed and nutrition wise would be great.

He is currently doing hacking, schooling approx 3 times a week and a bit of jumping, will plan to be doing some dressage and show jjumping but ideally I would like to event him again at some stage, possibly later this year at BE100 level.

Currently he is fed:
1x flat round scoop of hi-fi lite
1 x flat round scoop of charnwoods economy mix
measure of supplement which contains linseed, seaweed and brewers yeast
measure of Newmarket hoof supplement.

He is fed this 1 x a day.

Currently turned out 24/7, he usually goes on to a paddock with 'better' grass in the morning for a few hours or until lunchtime depending how much grass there is and then back onto a paddock with less grass the rest of the time.
He has his feed in the evening and then at the moment an armful of haylege at about 11pm although once it warms up again I am expecting to cut this out completely.

I have been researching on here and it seems it is best to feed low sugar and starch and although hi-fi lite says it is low on those to wonder if there is a better chaff type feed that would be better? I have also read on here about some people not liking alfafa?

In regards to the mix, again I am guessing contains some mollases and therefore best to get rid and possibly just feed a fibre type feed and a balancer.

There are so many things to choose from I really don't know where to start! He is not overly fussy about feeds and I dont want anything overly heating although he is quite good temperament wise.

I do not want anything overly complicated - Any ideas? I must keep him out 24/7 as he doesn't like being in and although tolerates it in winter (still out during the day) he gets a bit of a stress head and hates being in.

It would be ideal as well if I could use at least some of the same feed for my other horse too - he is elderly but on the same feed as above minus the supplements and is an ideal weight but again at the age of 27 he could probably benefit from the low sugar/starch diet too. If possible to at least have a base feed that suits both would be great as saves having to store lots of stock of different feeds.
 
I think maybe you're not getting answers because people aren't sure what you're asking! It sounds like your current regime is producing the results you want and you're already supplementing for feet, which is the area you express concern about.

You might also have a bit more luck in Stable Yard or whatever we're calling it these days.
 
I'd swap the Charnwood mix and the Newmarket hoof one to pure m. linseed and perhaps this balancer. http://forageplus.co.uk/product/hoof-health-summer-equine-balancer/
The balancer contains a good amount of minerals and lysine etc. which is a protein often short in forage. You will just need a plain carrier. FP also have a performance balancer which would also help hooves, it might be worth emailing them for advice.
 
Id cut out the mix and swap him to alfalfa pellets or chaff, unmolassed sugarbeet and the same supplements you're already feeding. It will reduce the sugar which may help his feet, still have some condotoonig qualities for building muscle from the sugarbeet, and provide slow release energy. If he needs more condition, you can then up the linseed. It will also work out cheaper from experience!
 
To add, I find unmolassed sugar beet is a really good base for low sugar/starch diets, and is a good carrier for supplements.
 
Tarrsteps- I basically want to get rid of the mix and go the low sugar and starch diet as after reading in here seems this maybe better in general and also help his feet. I just wasn't sure where to start after looking at different feeds although I think after researching previous threads I'm starting to get a better idea.

Amandap- thanks that's along the lines I'm thinking. Will email them.

KatB- thanks, I will use up my hifi lite as have a full bag but will get some unmollased sugar beet and start introducing that alongside while cutting out his mix. That will give me a good base. Will then look at other chaffs. I want to keep him on brewers yeast so next time I need some I will buy that and some linseed separately so I can up the linseed easily if I need to.

Re alfalfa- on here some people seem to think its not great for feet but I guess this hasn't caused you a problem?

Thanks for the help and sorry if original post was not clear. Apologies for any typos or bad English but I'm struggling typing on my iPhone in the car!
 
My horse is barefoot, works 5 days a week (hacking up to 5 miles mainly trot with some canter) I feed copra, Alfa pellets, oats and unmollassed sugarbeet as well as linseed and supplements (pro balance, brewers yeast, cal mag, salt & bicarb).

Hi fi lite still has molasses in and the chemicals in those type of chaff products seem to aggrevate bf horses so may not be the best for your horse - oddly enough Alfa pellets seem to be fine but Alfa chaffs not so much.

Is there a reason you are feeding chaff?
 
Leg-end - thanks. I was only really feeding it to bulk out his feed a little and slow him down but I am wondering if he really needs it.

If I was to continue feeding it i won't be buying any more hifi lite as appreciate it has some molasses
 
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