Feeding Query - 13yo mare in competition

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MerryMAL

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I was thinking:
• Moli Chaff
• Competition/Coarse mix
• SuperFlex for joints
• Electrolyte Salts (in summer)
• Garlic
What do you think? More? Less? Something else?
 
It depends on the horse in question and whether it is a good doer, poor doer, fizzy type, laid back etc! For example, competition mix (based on cereals) might not be the best choice for an excitable animal and you might find a feed based on fibre and oil more suitable (eg Spillers Response Slow Release Cubes or Top Spec Cool Condition Cubes).
 
Agree with TGM, depends on many things (Would add weight, workload as important consideations). On your suggestions though there is alot of sugar from mollichaff and starch from the mix, there are better diets with lower starch and sugar.

Garlic can be good in some situations but not in others, such as sweet itch. So that would depend on other info too.

Electrolytes are vital if the horse is working hard and sweating regularly. Otherwise plain salt is sufficient.
 
She's fit and calm - on Oestress with current owners and been advised to keep her on that. What are the actual benefits of garlic? Excuse me for being dim, I'm used to the chaff 'n' nuts boys at home
wink.gif
 
If the diet above is what she is on now and she does well on it, then I would stick with it unless there is a problem! I would ask the current owners whether they feed the garlic for a particular reason though, as there are conflicting opinions on whether it is beneficial or not - some articles on the subject here:

http://www.horse-report.com/garlic-supplement-for-horses.html

http://www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/herbal/garlic-horses.shtml

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/36176.html
 
I've no idea what she's on now - that's just what I would think she ought to be on. As to the garlic - a friend of mine has a similar horse in similar work and she feeds it garlic so I thought it did something. What are your experiences with it?
 
We have three competition ponys and they are all fed differently as they are all totally different.
One is on basic horse and pony nuts and magnesium calmer.
One is on competition nuts.
One is on Top Spec Racing Cubes and Naked Oats.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As to the garlic - a friend of mine has a similar horse in similar work and she feeds it garlic so I thought it did something. What are your experiences with it?

[/ QUOTE ] It is probably not the best idea to feed something just because a friend feeds it, especially when you don't know why they feed it! Personally, I tried feeding garlic for a while as I heard it was good as an insect repellent but found it made no difference to my horses whatsoever, so have not fed it since!

If you are buying a new horse, then the best plan is to find out exactly what the existing owners are feeding and why (and that includes how much turnout, quality of grazing, type of hay/haylage etc as well as bucket feed). If the existing diet seems halfway sensible and the horse is in good condition, health and temperament on that feed, then it is wise to continue on that regime for a good while before changing anything. It is disruption enough for a horse to have new owners, a new yard, new fieldmates etc without totally changing the diet as well. Each horse is an individual and needs to be treated as such.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As to the garlic - a friend of mine has a similar horse in similar work and she feeds it garlic so I thought it did something. What are your experiences with it?

[/ QUOTE ] It is probably not the best idea to feed something just because a friend feeds it, especially when you don't know why they feed it! Personally, I tried feeding garlic for a while as I heard it was good as an insect repellent but found it made no difference to my horses whatsoever, so have not fed it since!

If you are buying a new horse, then the best plan is to find out exactly what the existing owners are feeding and why (and that includes how much turnout, quality of grazing, type of hay/haylage etc as well as bucket feed). If the existing diet seems halfway sensible and the horse is in good condition, health and temperament on that feed, then it is wise to continue on that regime for a good while before changing anything. It is disruption enough for a horse to have new owners, a new yard, new fieldmates etc without totally changing the diet as well. Each horse is an individual and needs to be treated as such.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right, of course. I'm not going to feed something just because a friend does but this horse is practically a clone - height, type, age, level of competition and this woman's got sense, not one to feed it just because it's there. So, is garlic just an accessory then? If so I won't bother
wink.gif
. I like to be organized and have everything planned well ahead of time, the diet I mentioned is not what I'm going to feed the second she arrives , just the basics I would imagine I ought to be feeding her. Thank you guys for advice.
 
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