Feeding high energy feed

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username223

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hey i would just like to know of anyone that has had any experiences with a laid back/lazy horse and fed a higher energy feed to give him that extra oomph.
how did they react and how long did it take for them to adjust to it?
did they find other ways to use the energy instead? (like bucking or being silly/bolshy on the ground)
did you notice a sudden difference or was it gradual and not very noticable?
any changes in temperement?
did they perform better/worse?
would you reccommend it?
did it help the horse become more engaged in his hindquarters?
any info on changing a horse to higher energy feed would be useful, thanks! (and any reccommended feed names/brands!)
 
Put P on Competition Country Mix, 1 big scoop a day....made absolutely no difference to oomph, she is a little, teeny bit more spooky, but certainly not more oomph. Have put her on it as am doing canter fittening work, but in all honesty the difference is zero, so good job she enjoys cantering anyway
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Fed alsorts of supposedly "heating" feed over the years. Mag used to get 2 full scoops of country competition mix and it makes sod all, same when he was on racehorse mix. To be honest a rocket up his arse wouldn't make a difference. Oh saying that I have seen him bolt once, when a fighter jet came over his head tree level but although we're near chivenor, don't have one of them handy!
 
I used to ride a pony that was fed D&H phase 3 (not sure what it's called now) because he would just stand and sleep without it...
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My horses idea of exercise is to stand in the school and watch others!! He is so laid back, hes real hard work. Ok hes Lazy!
I could pump 3 scoops of oats into him and it wouldnt make a blind bit of difference, but give him a few micronised peas, you will need to hold onto your hat...he aint safe!!
Basically its trial and error!! Good luck.
 
keep to the same food just add oil for engery in stead. if you change his food he my go off the rocker! at least with oil you can keep topping up until you are at the right about for him!
 
i already feed oil and it has made a difference but not as much as i would like
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i dont really mind if he goes a bit whacko (as long as its not to the point hes dangerous, but i couldnt imagine him being like that anyway!) i would just like him to have a bit more spark, and i can always take him off it if it becomes too much lol. ive heard spillers instant response and baileys all round competition mix are meant to be good? any info on them? thanks for your replies anyway. The_Little_Magician, its interesting about the oats not making a difference lol! i always think oats = crazy pony!
 
Why don't you ring one of the feed companies? I think it was dodson and horral that my headcoachman rang and said they were really helpful as we're a bit of a unique situation work wise and have an old chap and 3 young 'uns so feeding can be a bit of a palava!
 
I am in a similar situation myself, I have a D that we show regurlarly he is a very good laid back sort and does a very good job however we would like more impulsion - I now feed him top spec balancer alfa a oil and leisure mix - the difference = nil??? I will now move up to the next bracket and feed him a higher protein mix such as comp mix and see what difference that makes. Maybe if you followed a similar programme you will either find the correct balance or just find out that he's just a chilled out kinda guy?? I'm beginning to think my D is the most laid back D ever - putting shame to the myth that they all have a little spark!!
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[ QUOTE ]
I could pump 3 scoops of oats into him and it wouldnt make a blind bit of difference, but give him a few micronised peas, you will need to hold onto your hat...he aint safe!

[/ QUOTE ]
*CotswoldSJ rushes off to feed merchant to purchase some peas!!!*

Oats don't always work, I am feeing topspec turbo which is micronised oats and feeding red cell, but he is soooo laid back a granny could ride him.
 
Donkey gets racehorse mix, outshine and oil - no difference how much rocket fuel I shovel down her throat - I am now just trying to really build her fitness levels up - she does have more life when she is stabled for longer, but not only is that detrimental to her hock it is not how I like to keep her.
 
I could have fed Maiden scoops of oats but she would probably never have had more oomph. I was starting to think of getting her some oats when she injured herself so I never found out. TBH the best thing I found to do, when I was aiming for just the SJ and dressage (was thinking of oats because I wanted to take her round an ODE and I didn't think she'd cope with three phases!) was keeping her fitness up and increasing her feed alongside, rather than just upping her feed and hoping she'd feel more energetic.
I only really felt the full effect of her being so fit and healthy when she injured herself and went on box rest - I had to turn her out for a couple of hours a day and although her food was 99% forage after the first week of box rest, she was TOWING me everywhere and jumping out of her small grass pen every other day (five foot high fence or not, torn tendon or not!)
I had to accept that my horse was lazy and her "safeness" was why I bought her anyway. I agree though that if oats and oil don't work there are plenty of high-energy mixes out there to try, give the feed companies a call
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I've just started to feed my Sec D Spillers Instant Response mix. Spillers recommended this as its a quick release energy so if worked hard they use all of the calories up.

Two days in and today noticed that he was definitely more lively; He trotted for at least 5 mins without flaking out!
His work load has gone up to 2 hour hacks 6 times a week and 1 x 1 hour lesson a week.
 
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