good for keeping up condition

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_Libby_

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My mare is 16 and tb x arab. She was looking rather podgy at the end of summer but already i can see her losing condition.
She is out during the day, grass not too bad.
She comes in around 5pm and is fed speedi beet, alpha a, pasture mix then given a large haynet (haylage) (she usually has some hay left in morning)
Do you all think this is o.k? She has a warm turnout on and is rugged in the stable too.

Was thinking i could introduce a morning feed? or perhaps change the pasture mix for something else?
or add a supplement?

Thanks for your advice!
 
I would probably introduce a morning feed, she could benefit from a feed balancer. I doubt there is much goodness in the grass at the moment.
Bailey's outshine is very good or just feed yea-sac.
Does she need worming-sorry it may be a silly question and are you certain she is warm enough?
If all things you are sure about then maybe look at other causes possibly.
all the best
smile.gif
 
i would split the feed into 2 feeds one at night and one in tthe morning.
oils are great for condition - i find soya oil to work brill
u could try some condtioning cubes if she continues to lose condition.
i use spillers topline and condtion cubes and they are excellent for my weedy tb x id gelding.
everything else sounds great - most important thing is forage and it sounds as tho she is getting plenty at night. altho the grass tends to lose its nutrients now so could introduce some hay in field as well perhaps
 
She was wormed about 1 week ago with Equest pramox, and had Equest before that. So she should be o.k on that front. Worming plan at yard is kept up to date.
At the moment she is turned out with a Rambo duo with the 300g liner so i'm hoping she is toasty. she does feel warm. She is a very chilly mare!

I think i will introduce a morning feed and try a feed balancer, thanks
 
Thanks Bramble, I am going to split the feeds , and i forgot to say i do also feed soya oil at the moment i find it good as well.
I will maybe post a picture of her tomorrow and see wot u all think of condition - maybe i am imagining it OH says he cant see that shes lost any weight.
 
What work is she doing,i have a 16.3 tb who lives out with add lib hay,1 feed a day,consists of 1/2 alfa a,1 pony nuts and beet,he works 3-5 x's a week,he is on a general vit supplement(equivite)and looks amazing(couldnt believe the difference in him after being on vits for 4 months)!!He does well anyway!!He has looked better with having hay available day and night the last 2 years(used to be stabled and not get hay during day whilst in field)!There may be plenty of grass but i believe at this time of year it has lost its nutritional content???I would try and opt for the oils and vits before pumping full of hard feed!!!
 
Maybe split main feed into two,if she not working alot she dosnt need alot of hard feed,you need to be adding oil and vits if she dropping weight plenty of beet,it is just fibre,if you worried about laminitis etc use speedi beet,rug up well,stop her using bodyweight to keep warm!Put hay out in field,you will be amazed how much they eat,i was,they may have grass but they will always come and eat bit of hay,unless they not lovers of???Pumping full of hard feed when not in hard work uneconomical in your pocket and detrimental to your horses gut health!
 
yeah this helps thanks for the advice, i am going to get supplement and split feeds. Would put hay out but other horses would just scoff it and push her out the way- she is a wimp!
 
All weight gain feeds appear to be good if you feed at the quantity required,however if she not working she dosnt need it!!!If you have a problem with getting hay into her during day may be worth speaking to YO and putting her in a group were she wont be bullied for it???understand this may not be practical??Get yaself to asda and buy some veg oil,equivite supplement fed at maintenance level and give her PLENTY of beet in her feed!!!
 
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