Feeding the 'non-stud' stallion

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vatican

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I've got the opportunity to take a 16yo Andalusian stallion in as a part livery. He's semi-retired - does of bit of flatwork in the arena and has never been used for breeding and is easy to handle. He's to be turned out daily for a couple of hours on his own and we've got ample grass for the time of year. His owner says that he needs to be fed stud mix - is this really necessary seeing as he's not being used at stud? My other horses are on Baileys 4 or 7 with Copra, Mollichaff & Suregrow. I'd be really interested to know what everyone else feeds a non-breeding stallion.
 
Personally, I would feed a non-breeding stallion a normal diet, the only reason why he would need a stud diet would be to increase the strength and population of his sperm, something you wouldnt want in a working stallion... However, if hes been on that all his life and its working for him, might not be worth changing it...
 
Why split it? If he is well and happy and fit, and owner is happy with the current feed?

If owner is paying the livery, work out the cost to include her feed of choice. Or terms are that she buys in his feed.
If he did not have that he may need a Veteran Mix anyway, esp if he only has a couple of hours at grass. Which means his hay or haylage consumption will be greater too.
 
You have to be a bit careful with iberians as their digestive systems cant handle some British feeds, they get deficiencies and liver problems.
Our luso stallion is on alfa-a, oats and topspec in small quantities as he's permanently fat!!

Keep him on what the owner wants- she knows her own horse
 
I'll feed him whatever the owner wants but he's been passed around a bit and she's only had him for a couple of weeks and assumed that because he's a stallion that he must be fed stud cubes.
 
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