Is this feed ok please?

Antw23uk

Antw23uk

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Thanks in advance for any replies. I've had my 17h, 7 yr old TB for a little over a month now and he arrived weighing 518kg and within two weeks was at 524kg and is now about 534kg (Or was that 538kg? :confused:) so is doing well. He is turned out during the day and in at night with a large haynet.

He is fed the following twice a day ...

1 Heaped scoop of Dengi Hi Fi Light
1 scoop speedibeat
100g Micronised linseed

He is looking good and is generally worked every other day at the moment so is getting nice and fit and muscles are showing from lots of hill work. He can be a bit of a kick along rather than a pull back but this is generally his nature rather than his energy levels I think as when you ask him to go he is like s*%^ off a shovel (I know trust me to get the plod along TB ex racer! :D)

So with his consistent weight increase and current work load do you think his current diet is suitable?

Thanks in advance :)
 
I would keep monitoring his weight closely, and if he isn't picking up as quickly as you would like over the summer then I would just up the amount of linseed. :)

Have you thought about adding a general supplement like Pink Powder too?
 
CobsGalore said:
I would keep monitoring his weight closely, and if he isn't picking up as quickly as you would like over the summer then I would just up the amount of linseed. :)

Have you thought about adding a general supplement like Pink Powder too?
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Thanks for the reply. I think weight increase is good but will keep monitoring it weekly/ bi weekly but so far so good. He is due to have his teeth done next month but might bring that forward although he is eating well and certainly enjoying his new 'spoilt rotten' lifestyle :o

Will check out the supplement but any reason to think he might need one?

Thanks :)
 
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From my understanding (although I am no expert), supplements like Pink Powder help them to get the best out of what you are already feeding them. Also, just 2 scoops of hifi light a day is a lot less than the amount they recommend feeding, so he will be missing out on mins and vits there. Just a thought, that's all :)

This is what the Naf website says about pink powder, "It is a unique, concentrated feed balancer, formulated using live yeasts and probiotics and designed to optimise gut function and the natural digestive process. This enables the horse to fully utilize his diet and maintain perfect condition. Plus, because it contains high quality vitamins, minerals and micronutrients, it supports perfect health, vitality and performance."

Although I suspect any broad spectrum supp would do the same.
 
I would be feeding a balancer so I could make sure he is getting the correct vits and mins, whether that's a supplement like Pink Powder (although I prefer Equimins' alternative) or a balancer like TopSpec.

I also personally prefer Alfa-A, as it has a bit more to it than Hi-Fi - I like Alfa-A Oil for weight gain or Molasses Free for a good doer. You don't say what your horse's current condition score is, or whether he needs to maintain or still put on a bit.

If he's putting on weight and looking good though, you can't be going far wrong!
 
Holding said:
I would be feeding a balancer so I could make sure he is getting the correct vits and mins, whether that's a supplement like Pink Powder (although I prefer Equimins' alternative) or a balancer like TopSpec.

I also personally prefer Alfa-A, as it has a bit more to it than Hi-Fi - I like Alfa-A Oil for weight gain or Molasses Free for a good doer. You don't say what your horse's current condition score is, or whether he needs to maintain or still put on a bit.

If he's putting on weight and looking good though, you can't be going far wrong!
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Ok thank you I will look into a balancer. I'm keen to stay off 'mixes' and keep it as Starch and Sugar free as possible and as high fibre as I can. I'm not convinced about molasses, surely that's just adding sugar to his diet?

He is going up, he is a big boy and should easily be hitting 600kg when fit and up to weight.

Interesting about the amount of chaff I feed CobsGalore, I'm feeding too little then? I will look on there website and weigh out the recommended amount because that's certainly something that can be sorted easily :o
 
Your feed sounds good - simple and healthy. Maybe think about adding a balancer - something like Pro balance or one of the Forageplus ones. You've obviously doing it right if he's putting weight on and looking good! :)
 
Holly Hocks said:
Your feed sounds good - simple and healthy. Maybe think about adding a balancer - something like Pro balance or one of the Forageplus ones. You've obviously doing it right if he's putting weight on and looking good! :)
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Thank you It's all still very daunting even though I have some great people around me to nudge me in the right direction :o
 
Ok thank you I will look into a balancer. I'm keen to stay off 'mixes' and keep it as Starch and Sugar free as possible and as high fibre as I can. I'm not convinced about molasses, surely that's just adding sugar to his diet?
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Right, so if he needs to put more weight on still, I would swap to the Alfa-A Oil. Alfalfa is still just fibre, obviously, but has more protein and calories than the Hi-Fi, which is mainly chopped straw. And it has no molasses at all, which the Hi-Fi Lite you are currently feeding does. :) And it doesn't matter how much or little you feed as far as vits and mins go, because Hi-Fi Lite is not a complete feed, and doesn't have any vits and mins in it. ;) It is basically just extra forage, and IMO fairly pointless as far as weight gain goes. If you want a complete feed that is low starch you can look into the Allen and Page range, but for the moment I would continue what you are doing, except I would definitely recommend changing the Hi-Fi for Alfa-A Oil, and adding a balancer. Let me know if that doesn't make sense.
 
Antw23uk said:
Interesting about the amount of chaff I feed CobsGalore, I'm feeding too little then? I will look on there website and weigh out the recommended amount because that's certainly something that can be sorted easily :o
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I think each scoop is 300g so you are only feeding 600g. I think for a horse his size you could feed about 2kg!
 
Thank you yes that make sense and yet another eye opening about the hi fi lite so have hopefully caught my order in time and requested the Alfa A Oil instead.

I'm increasing the chaff then to 2kg I feel bad that i wasnt savvy enough to do my own research on the amount so rectifying this :o
 
Ok ladies, gents a quick update on the Alfa A .... its a no go for him, his eyes are practically rolling in his head he is so full of himself at the moment :eek: He is coming off it this week and going back to the light or maybe molasses free dengi because the alfa a is blowing his mind :o Will keep up with the pink powder though ;)

My thoroughbred that acts like a donkey is starting to actually act like an ex racer as well as look like one so hold onto your hats and watch this space :o



 
Maybe try the Hi-Fi Senior? Its the only Hi-Fi that has grass instead of chopped straw, so it has a higher nutritional value. But because its not just alfalfa, maybe it won't send him loopy?
 
You can get Dengie Hi-Fi molassed and umolassed. Its just over £12 a bag where I am so not a bad price.

This is from the Dengie website about feeding for condition:
op 'Feeding for Condition' Tips

Feed little and often: choose high fibre,
non-heating feeds
Ensure hay or haylage is of good quality ie sweet smelling, free of dust/mould spores
Try to allow ad-lib access to a forage source, eg hay or haylage, especially when stabled
Feed a yeast culture to encourage efficient fibre digestion in the hind-gut
Make sure vitamin and mineral requirements are being met. If necessary 'top-up'with a broad spectrum supplement eg Dengie Natural Vitality Vits & Mins or balancer such as Dengie Alfa-A or Hi-Fi Balancer.
 
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