Low sugar licks/blocks

[Random stranger here]

Hi everyone.
I have a horse which can't have much sugar or starch, due to a few health issues. However he really likes having a horselyx in his stable, and he goes to it when he need it. It's nice to keep him occupied, as well as if he ever does run out of hay (unlikely he gets 3 nets) then he has something to lick. Does anyone know the best licks that are low in sugar and starch? Ideally tasty for him so he would actually lick it . Are horselyx that bad? He has it every night, but most nights doesn't use it.
TIA

 

[Mudfukkle]

Yes, Horselyx are quite bad. I wouldn't give it adlib to my EMS pony.
However, I'm following this thread with interest, as mine also like licks, but they must be low sugar, so hoping, like you, that someone can suggest one

 

[TGM]

Horselyx are 33% sugar so definitely not a good idea for horses who need a low sugar/starch diet. We use Himalayan salt licks for our horses, they seem to go through spells of using them.

 

[Goldenstar]

No horse however healthy should be eating horselyx as a boredom reliever
I do use them to avoid sedation when the vet is doing things but my horses are healthy so it’s not issue a bit of sugar now and again .
I would consider getting Timothy chop and investing in the new trickle chop net they are really neat idea the chop goes in the inside of the inner net and the horse shakes it to get out
It keeps Sky busy for hours .

 

[Goldenstar]

Ps and I do mean invest the nets are so expensive

 

[Random stranger here]

Horselyx are 33% sugar so definitely not a good idea for horses who need a low sugar/starch diet. We use Himalayan salt licks for our horses, they seem to go through spells of using them.

He does have a salt lick, but he won't use it. He has EGUS currently, so I don't know if maybe he knows the salt stings?
Either way I'll still leave it in there, so it's always an option. I'll keep his horselyx as a reward only then, and not every night

 

[Random stranger here]

No horse however healthy should be eating horselyx as a boredom reliever
I do use them to avoid sedation when the vet is doing things but my horses are healthy so it’s not issue a bit of sugar now and again .
I would consider getting Timothy chop and investing in the new trickle chop net they are really neat idea the chop goes in the inside of the inner net and the horse shakes it to get out
It keeps Sky busy for hours .

Thanks, I'll have a look at it

 

[Polos Mum]

Depending on how greedy he is, you could try a tub of something like top chop zero - just straw. My fatty ignores it because it is beneath him for maybe a week at a time. Then if really bored he'll pick at it.

I have a large tub with 3-4 stubs scoops in it at a time. He will pick enough to eat that in 7-10 days, when it runs out I top it up.

I think it fulfils my belief that they should have "forage available " without actually having something he'll scoff
If he chooses to ignore it because it tastes like rice cakes - that is his choice !!

 

[Random stranger here]

Depending on how greedy he is, you could try a tub of something like top chop zero - just straw. My fatty ignores it because it is beneath him for maybe a week at a time. Then if really bored he'll pick at it.

I have a large tub with 3-4 stubs scoops in it at a time. He will pick enough to eat that in 7-10 days, when it runs out I top it up.

I think it fulfils my belief that they should have "forage available " without actually having something he'll scoff
If he chooses to ignore it because it tastes like rice cakes - that is his choice !!

That's a good idea. Or I suppose I could fill a net of straw up as well, as an extra is he does run out of hay. He may like straw, I've actually never tried it with him. Other than at the vet, where he ate the straw bed, but there are different type of straw.

 

[Gloi]

I've just ordered mine the Simple Systems brix to try as a treat. I expect they will last him about a minute though.

 

[Random stranger here]

I've just ordered mine the Simple Systems brix to try as a treat. I expect they will last him about a minute though.

Yeah, I got the silvermoor grass swinger, that lasts about 5 minutes. I'll have a look at the simple system ones, better than nothing to keep him occupied

 

[Gloi]

Yeah, I got the silvermoor grass swinger, that lasts about 5 minutes. I'll have a look at the simple system ones, better than nothing to keep him occupied

The bag will arrive next week so I'll see how they go. I'm sure he'll enjoy them .

 

[Sir barnaby]

I have a Shetland that trashes his horslyx so I got a herbilyx tub, took it out of the tub and placed it in his rubber feed bowl, he does use it sparingly, not as keen as the horslyx but it has low sugar and I can leave it in the stable with him. i thought the Horselyx with the stable holder very expensive but you can take it out of the holder if you don’t want them to have it all the time so may also be an option for you. The herbilyx is much cheaper

 

[Jambarissa]

I bought the dallas keith one, it's supposed to be one of the better ones but I struggled to find nutritional info. Mine won't touch it so it must be low sugar!

I'd second the tub of oat straw or chop, it's boring but it's also got fibre.