Feeding the sporty good doer

[MrsMurs]

Morning,
Just doing some research into making some tweaks to my geldings feed.

currently he’s ridden 5 times a week, consisting of jump, flat lessons and hacking. We’ve started back up with the xc too. I kept him ticking over lockdown as he’s a sensible lad and I felt it prudent for his waistline to keep him going rather than stop. So fitness isn’t what it was by any means but we’re getting there.
I’ve been very focused on feeding for weight as opposed to feeding for what I am asking him to do.

at the mo he’s fed thunderbrooks chop, equimons advance complete and linseed.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how I can support him better nutritionally for what we’re doing without piling on the pounds? I’ve been looking at pea protein from progressive earth, if anyone has any experience of feeding this would love to hear your thoughts
Many thanks

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I fed my two pea protein last year and they both ballooned. One has EMS and just couldn’t tolerate the extra protein and the Connie went down with laminitis. Not sure if it was linked but it was all a bit suspicious.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I fed my two pea protein last year and they both ballooned. One has EMS and just couldn’t tolerate the extra protein and the Connie went down with laminitis. Not sure if it was linked but it was all a bit suspicious.

AS I was reading OP, I was thinking 'Ooh no, not pea protein!' Peas were always considered to be 'heating', that excess energy has to go somewhere so will add to the weight of a good doer. I would continue to feed for his weight/condition, he will use any reasonable excess for energy.

 

[TPO]

If he's looking and performing ok as is then I'd suggest you are already doing the best for him nutritionally.

Don't fix what ain't broke ?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

PAS that’s interesting, mine were having a tiny amount because they have very little in the way of feed and DP had a stretched white line which Farrier thought might have been caused by lack of protein. Certainly won’t be trying it again.

 

[MrsMurs]

If he's looking and performing ok as is then I'd suggest you are already doing the best for him nutritionally.

Don't fix what ain't broke ?

While he is looking ok I did feel he was a little ‘flat’ feeling, certainly compared to last season when he felt great. Perhaps upping his linseed would help? Again, I’m always conscious of weight gain though.
Thanks very much for your reply

 

[MrsMurs]

AS I was reading OP, I was thinking 'Ooh no, not pea protein!' Peas were always considered to be 'heating', that excess energy has to go somewhere so will add to the weight of a good doer. I would continue to feed for his weight/condition, he will use any reasonable excess for energy.

Thanks for that. I’ve put the pea protein down ??

 

[TPO]

While he is looking ok I did feel he was a little ‘flat’ feeling, certainly compared to last season when he felt great. Perhaps upping his linseed would help? Again, I’m always conscious of weight gain though.
Thanks very much for your reply

It might be due to the recent heatwave. Not only the effect that its had in him but also the ground and grass. If your grass was burnt and/or has died back he might not be getting as much sugar?

He might be getting fitter and building muscle as his workload increases post(ish !) CVD so might need some active recovery days after a training session.

What breed, height, weight and age is he?

How much (gm) linseed are you feeding?

 

[MrsMurs]

It might be due to the recent heatwave. Not only the effect that its had in him but also the ground and grass. If your grass was burnt and/or has died back he might not be getting as much sugar?

He might be getting fitter and building muscle as his workload increases post(ish !) CVD so might need some active recovery days after a training session.

What breed, height, weight and age is he?

How much (gm) linseed are you feeding?

You might be right with the strange weather and he’s like me, does not fair well in the heat! He’s a medium weight sports horse with good bone, so I’m particular about what ground I work him on too.

585kg
16.3
10 years

he has a day off post lesson or at the most a gentle hack to stretch.

linseed he was getting about 100g but I’ve decided to up this to 150/200g

interesting you mentioned muscle tone as it was this that led me to thinking about protein.

thanks a lot for replying

 

[ihatework]

I wouldn’t change anything dramatically. If you need more oomph try adding in a mug of oats at a time.

And gradually increase his work.

 

[TPO]

I think that you could easily up his linseed. 100gm isnt a lot. I might be wrong but 50gm per day is advised for it as a supplement level but to use it as a feed I think 500gm per day is the max. recommended amount. An increase to 200 is worth a try.

If its "go" you need more than protein it might be worth looking at oats. I know they get a bad rep but they can be a really useful feed.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Hard for me to say what I feed as it is somewhat irrelvant in that it more than likely is not available in the UK. However, I do have a "sporty good doer" and his meals consist of a vit/min (Atcome Rehe-Vital), linseed, brewer's yeast, MSM, Vit E, and an alfalfa based muesli (Eggersmann Green Power) to sort of mix it all together. It doesn't amount to much weight or volume wise, but this combo is low in sugar, and high in protein as well as some fats. He looks great. So I'd look to cover your bases vit/min wise, and make sure you have some protein and fats (the Omegas in linseed are also good!). I adjust amounts slightly depending on the time of year and how his weight looks.

I forgot to add that he does eat oats too. Not much, mostly enough so he feels like he is included during feed time (I feed him his above mentioned combo after riding - when I am at the yard).

 

[MrsMurs]

Hard for me to say what I feed as it is somewhat irrelvant in that it more than likely is not available in the UK. However, I do have a "sporty good doer" and his meals consist of a vit/min (Atcome Rehe-Vital), linseed, brewer's yeast, MSM, Vit E, and an alfalfa based muesli (Eggersmann Green Power) to sort of mix it all together. It doesn't amount to much weight or volume wise, but this combo is low in sugar, and high in protein as well as some fats. He looks great. So I'd look to cover your bases vit/min wise, and make sure you have some protein and fats (the Omegas in linseed are also good!). I adjust amounts slightly depending on the time of year and how his weight looks.

I forgot to add that he does eat oats too. Not much, mostly enough so he feels like he is included during feed time (I feed him his above mentioned combo after riding - when I am at the yard).

that’s great thank you. I might look at an alfalfa based chop
Many thanks

 

[MrsMurs]

I think that you could easily up his linseed. 100gm isnt a lot. I might be wrong but 50gm per day is advised for it as a supplement level but to use it as a feed I think 500gm per day is the max. recommended amount. An increase to 200 is worth a try.

If its "go" you need more than protein it might be worth looking at oats. I know they get a bad rep but they can be a really useful feed.

thank you, will look into oats ?

 

[Griffin]

I agree with TPO on oats have a bad reputation but can be useful if fed in the right way.

If you want to build muscle, spirulina is good in combination with exercise.

 

[P.forpony]

I think an alfalfa chaff would be worth a look at too, it’s a decent protein source without changing too much or adding calories.
Top spec do an unmolassed one that mine got on very well with.