Good doer tb

Oats! Actually, my current horse is only 3/4 TB but 2 of my TBs in the past that have been very good doers. They were out 24/7 so had grass (strip grazed with electric fencing as otherwise they got too fat) combined with competition mix (for extra energy as they were competing eventing) and alfalfa/lucerne. Between 2 to 4 feeds per day depending on workload and size.
Current one is only doing dressage and is stabled at night with hay but otherwise part penned and part paddock (as I'm on someone elses property and can't strip graze) with two small feeds of oats and alfalfa twice a day.
None of my horses have needed supplements.
 
Thanks wkiwi. This one is an ex racer so I would like to give him a joint supplement of some sort. He is built more like a id x tb than full tb. He will have a fair amount of grass initially whilst he settles in, arrives on thurs, then I think I may have to reduce it!! He is currently on a scoop of pasture mix a day but I'm going to change him onto a totally fibre diet. I just need something initially to mix a joint supplement into without providing too many calories!! X
 
Does he have joint problems? I am averse to giving supplements before they are necessary (as even natural products can have side effects longterm), and just about all my TB's have been ex-racehorses; however, I know a lot of people do it. I don't think it matters what you give the supplement in, so long as it eats it (someone on our yard feeds it with just a fibre mix but it is reluctant to eat it).
Has he been on grass already? Otherwise you might not want to give him too much grass initially until the gut adapts (forgive me if you have already thought of these things).
Bet you are excited !!!
 
I am excited!! Bit apprehensive too!! Yes he is currently on good grazing. He comes in during the morning to be exercised then is out the rest of the time. He will be out here all the time and ridden mainly in the eves, so a slight routine change. I was going to feed a joint supplement as I thought it may help long term after a busy racing life? X
 
Sounds typical for a new horse! The excitement combined with the 'what if i have done the wrong thing or something happens' feel. I clearly remember the odd first night after arrival having very little sleep worrying about it! LOL
Re the joint supplement, I would save your money until you need it unless he had a known problem racing (e.g. didn't finish his career sound). Many ex-racehorses never have a problem and the ones I have had with joint problems have been due to injury -----one ex-racehorse TB who landed awkwardly over a big drop; and one never raced TB that somersaulted over a gate while in the paddock (don't ask me what she was up to as she was normally sensible in the paddock, but she did a sliding stop, carried on slipping and slammed the gate, flipped over it, and nearly landed on a friends car parked near it.). I do know another ex-racehorse TB that had joint problems but he had poor forelimb conformation and stiffened up in the mid 20's after a career eventing (including 3DE).
The reason that joint supplements need to keep being given is that the body doesn't store the ingredients for long so you could help damage now, and damage as it started to occur, but it won't prevent damage if it is going to occur from injury/future stress-strain.

Of course, this doesn't mean that yours will be problem free but you could spend a fortune on preventatives without needing them.
This is just my opinion though. If you do go for a supplement then pick one with research evidence of that actual product combination working. Some products don't have high enough ingredients of the active ingredients e.g. they might claim that XX has been shown to help with arthritis and this could be true but it doesn't mean that it works at the concentration they have included in their actual product. Also, watch out for claims that the product has been 'used for a long time' for joint problems - garlic and onions were used for the human plague but it didn't stop it. I am not talking about reputable companies here, but remember that Jock Paget's horse was tested positive for drugs because the company was supposedly mixing products on the kitchen table and one got contaminated with something it shouldn't have.
Sorry about the rant here, but i used to teach this and having proof (other than anecdotal statements) that products work or at least do no harm with long-term use is one of my 'hobby horses'.
I am sure you will have a enormous amount of fun with your new horse and it sounds as if he is a lucky horse picking you as an owner.
 
Thank you for all your advice. I have taken it all on bored. Yes definitely feeling the what ifs and have I taken on too much!! He is a really laid back chap to the point of being more like a donkey than a racehorse, suits me, long may it last!! We are planning on having a go at everything but low level. My other horse is a hot headed wb who I have had to nurse along for the last ten years. I have had to pick and choose events as he blows his top. I had qualified for many a dressage championship and not gone as I know it would be a waste of time and money due to his hot head. I'm hoping this chap remains his lovely self so we can just go out and enjoy ourselves x thanks again for your help x
 
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