Fibre only feed - competing horses

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Scottish_Miss

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HI

Just wonder what thoughts are on competition horses that compete using only fibre feeds? (we don't compete very high levels - just he is a naturally good doer who may lack stamina ect for possibly a 1DE next year, just want to make sure we are as fit and feeding correct as we possibly can be)

I like the idea of non cereal based feed but wondered about those that compete do they then lack energy? How do you tackle this issue? I know some fibre feeds are higher in energy requirements - suppose old school head says - you must feed cereals/mix for energy so its about changing my mind set more I think ;-*
 
My coblet who competes unaffilated dressage (prelim/novice), SJ (up to about 80cm) and XC/ODE (75 cm) is on a primarily fibre based diet.

He gets fed readimash fibre with linseed and blood salts. I also give him a small cup of oats each day to give him a bit more energy but it doesn't seem to be having that much of an impact to be honest so I'm going to try something like simple systems red bag grass nuts next year to see if that helps.

Fitness is the key to giving them energy but ultimately you need the energy to work them hard enough to get fit.

I'd recommend the blood salts if your horse needs a bit of a pick me up.

Oats do work for some horses and there are other energy giving feeds that you can use but they need to be in a fair level of work to ensure it doesn't just turn into weight gain.
 
We have a pony that competes at 2ft6/9 SJ and XC and a horse doing Endurance upto 65km.
They both are on Pure Fibre Balance feed.
 
My horses are on a non-cereal diet and compete successfully BE, BS and BD with no issues at all. Fitness and ensuring they get enough vits and mins is the most important bit imho. At the minute I have the opposite problem that they are feeling a little too well and could really do with a good blast to take the tickle out their feet but the ground is far too wet around us for that just now. I am prob quite lucky though that mine are naturally very up for it horses and one in particular would happily gallop all day if he could!
So, fibre based diet is very doable, you just need to find the right balance for your horse.
 
Winergy equilibrium is a good choice if u want to avoid cereals. My mare is on it and has plenty of energy. Various different types to suit too.
 
Im in NZ but over the summer by TBs and WB (10ish) all just had grass and would compete most weekends - dressage, eventing, SJ, showing.

Would get some chaff with vits/mins and salt.

Never had any issues with lack of energy and brought home plenty of ribbons.
 
Is there a specific reason you want fibre only?

S pretty much gets some alfalfa and power and performace when in lots of work then what ever she can scrape from a semi bare field in summer, she gets topspec turbo for a few days before we go anywhere to give her some pep but other than that nowt else.

Right now she is on nothing, ridden 3 times a week and muzzled in a rather well rested winter paddock and is looking a good weight and has enough energy for a 2hr hack or 45 mins schooling session (an hour with jumps) varied per week. Also blanket clipped with the legs off and rugged with a 100g turnout rug on :)

If she loses condition or pep the muzzle will come off and once the grass runs low she will get hay with some alfalfa and linseed meal twice a day :)
 
HI

Quote -
Is there a specific reason you want fibre only?

Not really just feel its a more natural diet, also wondered if it would give him more to eat as he currently comes in off grass around 2 pm each day from being out at 07:30. One small haynet in afternoon, literally a kilo of hay.
Then ridden at night and 11 kilos of hay on floor.
Dont like using haynets for long periods of time or overnight. Cant use grass muzzle as one before he wore away the enamel on teeth.

So really its just to try and pad out the fibre he gets whilst in to maintain gut movement as he can eat all his hay in around an hour or 2.
Not sure that it will pad it out much but was a thought.
He has been weighed(710kilos) and condition scored( 3.25) and TBH is pretty much ok except a small fat deposit in front of saddle knee roll which for life of me cannot shift. BUt wont worry about it.

sorry long response.............
 
Mine get Simple Systems feeds - I have a 4 yr old who will do the age classes next year (BD) and a 19yr old competing at Medium and schooling at Adv Med.

Both get soaked lucie nuts with linseed, and then 19yr old has the red bag grass nuts added to give her that extra bit of stamina.
 
I have a very good doer and have struggled to find the right feed for mine. He was on Pure feeds, but his coat was horrid and dull, he had huge scurfy lumps and he didn't feel that great either. So he is now on:

Hi-Fi Lite
Just Grass
Fast Fibre
Equi-Jewel
TopSpec Turbo flakes
365 Complete

http://www.equineanswers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProdID=1

He is now looking fanastic and feels amazing, he is so forward and has spark. He is the correct weight and is working Adv Medium, competing Elementary.
 
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