Hard feed to tempt an old guy?

[soloequestrian]

My older TB is tending not to eat his hard feed these days. I'm fairly sure there are no problems, just quite a lot of grass which he has no trouble eating. He will eat his carrot with Prascend in - picks it out - but more often than not he leaves the rest. It's just Fast Fibre and a handful of oats but it has minerals and salt in and I'd prefer him to have those. I've not really fed anyone anything different to anyone for many years now so some ideas on what else I could give him to try to tempt him would be much appreciated!

 

[PapaverFollis]

Grass nuts soaked?

Or D&H winter mash was always a hit with my oldie when she got picky.

 

[BarneyTheChestnutOne]

Veteran vitality is a tasty feed, one of the feeds I use on rotation for my fussy old boy.

 

[Summit]

Another for Veteran Vitality. Soaked and very palliatable

 

[TGM]

Fast Fibre is pretty unappetising for a lot of horses, which is not surprising considering the main ingredient is ground straw! I'd use something like Speedibeet or soaked grass nuts as a first option.

 

[soloequestrian]

Thanks - I think sugarbeet is a good first option!

 

[P.forpony]

We always keep some spillers speedy fibre on the yard, never come across a horse that doesn’t love it.

It’s apple flavour so works perfectly for hiding nasty things you have to add or stirring a handful into your normal feed to tempt a fussy one.

It’s sugar beet based so may be a good straight swap for your fast fibre too ?

 

[Daniel_Jack]

Ready mash extra might be an option?

 

[M1lbie]

My 28 year old also on prascend became fussy and I had to keep changing his food, I contacted Allen and Page last winter and they suggested Veteran Light as Veteran Vitality is not recommended for horses with Cushings (PPID). His appetite improved straight away and has continued eating it well eversince

 

[poiuytrewq]

Although I never feed a mix given the choice, and there is a lot of choice! When my old gelding stopped wanting hard feed and lost weight over winter I bought (after trying the above first) Dodson and Horrel mix. I could probably have eaten it myself! It looks and smells amazing. There’s bits of dried carrot and herbs. It’s lovely and did the required job.

 

[Green Bean]

Keyflow Golden Oldies. Whilst my mare loves her food, she can be picky. Since being on GO she absolutely loves feeding time and finishes every last bit.

 

[cobgoblin]

Ready mash extra.. Couldn't wait to eat it.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

Grass nuts soaked?

Or D&H winter mash was always a hit with my oldie when she got picky.

Veteran vitality without a shadow of a doubt. Very palatable. I also feed speedibeet for a sloppy feed to help prevent colic.

 

[soloequestrian]

The sugar beet is working well for the moment - will revisit the thread if he gets fussy with it!