Feeding

[TallyHo123]

I have a 6yr old 15hh Arab x
At the moment he is an okay weight, wanting a tiny bit more as it's getting cold!

He is currently still living out with good quality grass but now getting less of it. He also gets 1 1/2 - 2 haynets of soaked hay daily & 2 scoops of alfa a oil and 1 scoop of pasture mix with some garlic.

I want to start getting him fitter as wanting to do some sj and dressage through winter.
Only problem is we have had strangles at my yard so can only use a rubbish school and 1 field to ride on. He gets very bored easily!

I am wanting to maybe up his feed as would like a it more weight on him, i would also like him to have more energy with out being fizzy.

He works well but need leg at all times and i would like him to be a tad sharper.

Any suggestions of feed?

Thank you!!

 

[TGM]

Is he getting as much hay as he can possibly eat? If not, increase the hay so there is some available at all times. If he is getting as much hay as he can eat then consider swapping to haylage, which solves the dust problem and will be probably more calorific too. If you want to avoid fizziness then it is usually best to increase the forage before you increase the hard feed.

 

[wizzlewoo]

I would suggest that a balanced oil supplimet would increase the calories for weight gain, this would also increase the energy, what is not burned up as energy is turned into fat. This will give him more energy and is very good for weight but will not give you the extra sparkle and bonce in his step. Provided that the traingin he is doing is varied so it is not just a case of him being 'not bothered' then the best sourse of instant energy is cereals. This is difficult to get a good balance of without making him fizzy, i would suggest that should you want to go down the cereals route you introduce a little at a time. This can be in as simple a form as competitin mix but make sure it is balanced with the right vits and mins first. Hope this is helpfull.

 

[TallyHo123]

thank you guys!

 

[amycov]

I'd say he is already getting a fair amount of feed but it will be more effective if split between 2 feeds. So possibly do 1.5 scoops alpha and 0.75 mix morning and then evening so you have increased slightly and also the gut can get more out of it. Try introducing an oil to help promote weight gain and slow release energy. Forage must be increased first.