help with condition!!

mybaileysglide

mybaileysglide

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Can people please suggest some feeds/diets to help put weight on my horse, he's not really skinny, just looking a bit poor. I'm looking to put a bit of top line on him but don't know what to use. Also he's lacking energy in the school and seems to be getting tired quickly so need something to give him a bit more energy but would like to keep a molasses free or low sugar diet.

He is 16.2hh, 6 yr old, sports horse. He is quite fit, does regular schooling, jumping, hacking and canter work. I have recently put him on a no molasses diet and he is on "equie america - u guard" as he was showing signs of gastric discomfort, his behaviour has changed a lot and he seems a lot happier now (has been tested for gastric ulcers and does not have them). His diet at the moment is 1 scoop Allen and page calm and condition, 1 scoop Alfa a no molasses, 1/2 cup of veg oil, and a large haynet of good quality haylage (he lives out all year round as gets very stressed in his stable).

What does everyone suggest, has anyone got a similar horse? Thank you in advance :)
 
What size scoops are you using, and are you measuring Calm & Condition as a scoop before or after soaking? Are you only feeding this once a day? Would be helpful if you could advise on actual weights you feed (dry weight for C&C) and weight of haynet. What is your grazing like? Would your horse eat more haylage if given more?
 
A big round scoop of calm and condition before it is soaked (can only get up there once a day to feed him). He gets a big haynet of haylage (don't know the exact weight), he won't eat any more haylage then this. Grazing isn't amazing as its winter and muddy but its not too bad.
 
mybaileysglide said:
Can people please suggest some feeds/diets to help put weight on my horse, he's not really skinny, just looking a bit poor. I'm looking to put a bit of top line on him but don't know what to use. Also he's lacking energy in the school and seems to be getting tired quickly so need something to give him a bit more energy but would like to keep a molasses free or low sugar diet.

He is 16.2hh, 6 yr old, sports horse. He is quite fit, does regular schooling, jumping, hacking and canter work. I have recently put him on a no molasses diet and he is on "equie america - u guard" as he was showing signs of gastric discomfort, his behaviour has changed a lot and he seems a lot happier now (has been tested for gastric ulcers and does not have them). His diet at the moment is 1 scoop Allen and page calm and condition, 1 scoop Alfa a no molasses, 1/2 cup of veg oil, and a large haynet of good quality haylage (he lives out all year round as gets very stressed in his stable).

What does everyone suggest, has anyone got a similar horse? Thank you in advance :)
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Personally I would consider taking him off c&c and putting him on speediebeet and linseed separately so you can feed more linseed, I'd switch the alfalfa for a grass chop... Cornwall farmers will order it in for you, if you suspect ulcers opt for hay and not haylage, give him two large haynets of the stuff, feed wise, I'd be tempted to feed something like the following,
Scoop of grass chop, 1/2 scoop of Speedie beet, cup of linseed - three times a day. Also add a good vitamin and mineral supplement and something like haemavite b plus - a blood tonic with beta vitamins which help horses digest and make the best of the food they are being given.
 
mybaileysglide said:
A big round scoop of calm and condition before it is soaked (can only get up there once a day to feed him). He gets a big haynet of haylage (don't know the exact weight), he won't eat any more haylage then this. Grazing isn't amazing as its winter and muddy but its not too bad.
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Also if his grazing is not great can you give forage in the field?
 
mybaileysglide said:
A big round scoop of calm and condition before it is soaked (can only get up there once a day to feed him). He gets a big haynet of haylage (don't know the exact weight), he won't eat any more haylage then this. Grazing isn't amazing as its winter and muddy but its not too bad.
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With his work load he really requires his feeds split to really benefit both in weight and energy, if you feed after riding it will be long gone by the next day, I have always found that feeding 3 or 4 times a day is best for poor doers as it is more natural and they utilise the food better, if you cannot get there could you leave a feed for someone else to pop in for him.
 
You cannot feed to add topline, that develops with correct work, developing the muscles that form the topline. To help with muscle development you feed a good quality protein food, around 10% will help with the development of good muscles.

You can make a horse look bulkier with condition, you need to feed good quality fibrous food.
 
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