How to feed a showjumper

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mariaandefe

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Hi all.

Could you guys please advise me on how to feed a OTTB showjumper. I live in Turkey so our feeding options are very very limited.

A little bit about my OTTB
- he’s 13
- he most likely has ulcers/prone to ulcers.
- he’s not in the best condition at the moment due to gut issues or parasite issues i’m assuming.
- a bit lethargic (so I’d like to increase his energy levels if possible?)

I would like to know what range of protein, starch, vitamins and minerals etc this horse needs.

Hay in Turkey: We have alfalfa hay and meadow hay, however we don’t feed alfalfa hay here often, maybe a flake or two during the day
any other questions please ask
 
Its not quite as simple as he needs x protein, y carbs etc. Does he need condition? Are the ulcers/worms being treated and what are you hard feed options in Turkey?
 
I'm Dun said:
Its not quite as simple as he needs x protein, y carbs etc. Does he need condition? Are the ulcers/worms being treated and what are you hard feed options in Turkey?
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yes it’s very difficult! especially here when there is absolutely nothing here… I will be sending 2 worm samples to westgate this month through my father as well as a mane and tail mineral test. as for ulcers, he was on omeprazole tablets for a month, and now he’s on probiotics and yeast. It’s hard to say about condition, I would be leaning towards yes he does need condition. Hard feed options we have some turkish brands which i’m not willing to experiment long term. As for european brands we have Saracen and Red Mills, I think that’s about it. Last time I checked these were the options available.
Saracen:
- Race 13
- Stud Mix
- Stamm 30
- Level grow cubes
Red mills:
- Oat balancer mix
- Horse cooked mix
 
Tricky! I'd have a look at some of the oily herbs posts on here, they have done wonders for a lot of horses and should be accessible or easily sent to you. Other wise your very limited, beet pulp and alfalfa pellets would be the only suitable thing on your list. They are both good for ulcers so that's a plus. And if you've got meadow hay that's great. You could feed the alfalfa hay before you ride to line the stomach.
 
I'm Dun said:
Tricky! I'd have a look at some of the oily herbs posts on here, they have done wonders for a lot of horses and should be accessible or easily sent to you. Other wise your very limited, beet pulp and alfalfa pellets would be the only suitable thing on your list. They are both good for ulcers so that's a plus. And if you've got meadow hay that's great. You could feed the alfalfa hay before you ride to line the stomach.
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great thanks so much!
i have a meeting tomorrow with a showjumper will be asking him too.
I haven’t had him tested for ulcers, however im 99% sure he does have them being an OTTB.
Do you know if Gastrogard is a good supplement/medicine for ulcers? And if Gastrogard is suitable to be given with probiotics and yeast?
 
beet pulp and alfalfa soaked in a mash plus add lib meadow hay would be a good start.

some horse do get hot on alfafa so be aware of that if it starts to happen.

to add more safe calories can you buy linseed oil to add?
 
Hallo2012 said:
beet pulp and alfalfa soaked in a mash plus add lib meadow hay would be a good start.

some horse do get hot on alfafa so be aware of that if it starts to happen.

to add more safe calories can you buy linseed oil to add?
Click to expand...
literally how i feed him right now! except i decided not to give alfalfa at the moment due to his allergies
 
oats are generally a safe feed too both from a condition and ulcer POV, they are not the devil food we have been led to believe so small quantities of rolled oats added to the mash could help? if you can get them?
 
Hallo2012 said:
oats are generally a safe feed too both from a condition and ulcer POV, they are not the devil food we have been led to believe so small quantities of rolled oats added to the mash could help? if you can get them?
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of course i can :)

could you maybe specify some foods i should definitely avoid? high starch and high sugar is not good if i’m correct?
 
i would avoid barley and maize, and anything full of mollasses.

to be fair, with beet, alfalfa, oats and oil you have a good base diet there :)

good things to add for ulcers would be pectin powder (like for jam making) this helps coat the stomach to protect it,and limestone powder which works as an antacid.

can you get gaviscon liquid in chemists? 30ml twice a day has made a big difference to a few i know it works like the horse supplement coligone but is cheaper (if you can get peptac liquid thats even cheaper but works the same!)
 
hi, thanks again!
i will have the vet out soon to scope him, we’ll see how his stomach is doing

However i will ask about the liquid, due to the fact that im in Turkey its veryyy difficult to find anything here

and all supplements here cost an arm and a leg, so i order them from abroad. if there are any good supplements in the uk, my father flys them over here 😂
 
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