feeding when not in work...?

[lukeylou]

my 5 year old is out of work (we can start longreining in walk on sunday) because of a bad back. my physio says he is still carrying too much weight. he is a very good doer, big boned 16.2hh ID X. currently he is having:

half round scoop of hifi (will swap this to hifi lite.)
smaller scoop of highfibre cubes.
small scoop of bluechip dynamic (apparently this is full of calories!)

he gets this twice a day, she wants me to cut it down even more, so what should i be feeding? and should i be giving him any vitamin supplements to be sure he's getting everything he needs?

he also gets adlib hay.

thanks in advance!

 

[doctordoolittle]

i'm not an expert on horse feeds by any means but i think bluechip products do tend to put condition on - can't quite remember but when i compared with other balancers i think there is a higher amount of starch in these products.

When I got my horse he was fed this and he was carrying extra weight. I stopped it and he has had top spec balancer in the past which was less conditioning but at the moment doesn't need anything!

Balancers are designed to help condition so you don't necessarily need this - perhaps a general vitamin and mineral supplement if you're concerned - these are also much cheaper!

If you want a good joint supplement I have had good success with suppleaze gold, and they seem to have a permanent 3 for 2 offer http://www.aviform.co.uk/Store/Equine-Products/SUPPLEAZE-GOLD-Ultimate-Equine-Joint-Care-Supplement

If I were you I'd give him:
3/4 scoop Hi fi lite
1/3 scoop fibre or pony nuts just for some crunch
general vit and min supplement
suppleaze gold

 

[TGM]

I'd just give him a handful of HiFi Lite and a vit/min supplement such as Benevit or Equivite instead of the balancer. I'd cut the high fibre cubes out completely.

Also consider soaking the hay to remove some of the calories and using a small hole haynet to slow down his consumption.

 

[posie_honey]

what TGM said...
or - my fatty gets just equibites over summer - even when competition fit as she's so energy efficient! they provide vits and mins without calories

 

[vallin]

My girl is a good doer and out of work atm due to a bad back, she gets minimal hay and a small handful of chaff and a carrot once a day to keep her quite when the others are being fed. She doesn't need any more so why bother with the expense? lol

 

[Umbongo]

Yes agree with TGM, or just give him a handful to make him think he has feed when the others are eating?

I know a girl who has 6 eventers, events a couple of them to intermediate. They get nothing but grass, ad lib hay/haylage and a handful of mix to make them feel like they are getting something. In the winter when they cant get out to the field much she just has some hay balancer and vits and mins and adds to the handful of mix. They all look in amazing condition and are very fit.

 

[dwi]

I'd be giving a handful of Hifi Good Doer once a day just so that you can give the necessary vits and mins with it. Also have a think about your turnout. Are you giving as much turnout as possible? Could your horse have a thinner rug or no rug at all so that they burn off more calories keeping warm?