feeding stressy mare that ties up

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UKa

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Hi, I am going to ring up some feed companies for feeding advice this week but am looking for something to improve my mare, who is a poor doer (never fat, just right now on spring grass but difficult to keep weight on) also ties up and is quite stressy. In fact I am quite fed up with being bounced around on hacks and she immediately stresses when out of routine or when her field mate is taken away for being ridden (she has other horses in fields next to them though).

I did some research years ago for feeding for tying up and somehow ended up with Alfa A Oil as well as hi fibre nuts and supplementing with Vit E and Selenium.

Now I really would like a total solution feed or feed combination that has to be low in starch and sugar, possibly with high selenium and Vit E so I don't have to fork out on expensive supplements - and ideally something for calming too.

Have also been advised to look for gut health as this may affect behaviour, any experiences?

ALso, have heard good stuff about Simple Systems, does anyone have any experience with their feeds? Thanks
 
I have had all mine on Simple feeds for about 4 months now and the difference in the underweight stressy 2 has been amazing, much calmer and holding their weight. The change has been amazing, I would never had said that my 2 could be that laid back!. Give Simple feeds a ring they are really helpful xx
 
Dodson and horrell ers pellets r designed for horses in hard work that tie up so they are good for weight gain.

Selinuim and vit e should b bbalanced so Bailey's out shine has this one already and is def worth the money for adding condition to a poor doer .

All are low starch do non heating. X
 
I would feed something high oil and fibre, so something like Alfa Oil would be good (it already has vit E in it)- i have used it for the last few years until recently when one of mine needed a lower protein chaff as he's turned allergic to Alfalfa so is on Mollichaff Calmer which again is really good for my two sharp horses. Mine get a few Spillers slow release cubes, pink powder and extra magnesium which keeps them really calm.

If she needs more than just the alfa oil, you could add high fibre cubes or there is Sarcen Releve which was specifically made for horses that tye up.
 
Would ditto the suggestion of Dodson & Horrell ERS Pellets - low starch, high calorie:

http://www.dodsonandhorrellpetfood.co.uk/ers-pellets

Don't be put off by the fact they are 'high energy' - it just means high calorie. Because the calories come mostly from oil and fibre, rather than starchy cereals, it is much less likely to heat horses up than traditional high cereal feeds.

It is supplemented with the normal range of vit/mins but also Vit E and selenium, so you won't need an extra supplement.
 
I previously had my arab that ties up on Saracens Releve but have now moved to Pure Condition from the Pure Feed Company - both would be worth a look depending on what you are able to get hold of in your area.
 
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