Feeding something not regularily

[MagicMelon]

Ive found that one of my horses gets loads of energy from oats (whereas it had no effect on my other horse who needed it!). However, if I keep him on it he is too crazy for dressage and BSJA! But Id like to give it to him before the XC at BE things as I find it gives him a boost.

So my question is, would it cause problems if I fed him say 1/2 a scoop of oats before the XC phase IF I had enough time in between obviously to allow him to digest it fully. ?? Obviously I know the rule about introducing things slowly etc. so Im wondering if this is possibly not a good idea!

 

[Nari]

I don't know, but personally I wouldn't. Is one half scoop really going to make that much difference?

 

[AnnaandStella]

Try it!

Some horses need a few days/couple of weeks to process the oats but other react to them immediately so if she's an immediate one then 1/2 a scoop of oats might be just the thing.

 

[JaneB]

If you feed a handful or so every day the system won't have quite such a shock when you feed the half a scoop.

 

[zelli]

Jane B's idea is a good one, the reason why feeding not reguarly is bad is because the horse produces specific digestive enzymes for the food he is digesting. So if you put a very small amount in his feed everyday he will already be producing the enzymes which will help the body cope on the days you need to feed the half scoop. Having said that, ive known hundreds of people that do feed oats the morning/night before a competition and their horses have been fine!

 

[MagicMelon]

Well he definately gets rather an immediate boost from them!

Thanks guys, Ill probably try adding just a little handful in his regular feed.

 

[Pep12]

Definitely add a handful every day. that's what i do with my guy and then step it up day before competition and during etc etc. One thing that does work is giving him a feed with oats in about 2 hours before an evening training session, it gives him the oomph to get through that so shoudl work for what you are suggesting. It is normally 2-4 hours after feeding that the greatest energy effect happens with cereals.