Maize or Peas?

[vicm2509]

My horse struggles to keep weight on all year.

I have now found a combination which seems to be putting weight on him rather than just sustaining his weight (which is what I wanted). I feed fibre beet (almost 1 scoop a day at unsoaked meaurement), Micronised barley (total of 1 scoop a day), Baileys number 1 (total 1 scoop a day), alfa oil, pink powder and a cup of soya oil.

(all of those are the big round scoops and the above is split into 2 feeds).

He has adlib haylage at night (eats about 2 large haynets full) and is at grass in the day. Is ridden 6 days a week for about 30-45mins.

Now I am thinking of swapping the Baileys No.1 for flaked maise or peas. Or there is a bag of stuff in our feed shop called micronised cereal mix, it has things in like peas, maize etc.

My horse doesnt really get heated off feeds and I thought it may work out more effective and chaper to feed maize or peas.

Opinions please

 

[meandmyself]

If it works why change it?

If anything, I'd change to Baileys No. 4 or No. 17.

 

[Foxford]

My friend recently tried a probiotic on her skinny horse. She says it's the best thing she's tried so far to get weight on him!!

PS Are you going back to the classes after christmas? I'll be riding next week - last session

 

[vicm2509]

The pink powder I feed him has probiotics in, I have to feed that as his droppings are really loose without it and its the only thing that works. But I agree, it does help him hold his weight aswell.

Yes I am going back in 2 weeks, 19th I think. I may come for the lecture next week though just to get back into the swing of things. Is next week jumping or flat? I just want to check as I dont really want to jump for a few more weeks as I wont have ridden for 6 weeks (well I have had a sneaky sit on him but thats it

)

I was looking at changing it for cost effectiveness really. As I know maise and also peas are quite high in calories so in effect I would be able to feed him less quantity wise and also the feed is cheaper. I was really just looking into the idea and not planning an immediate change.

 

[Foxford]

Ah, ok. I guess it won't do any harm to try him on something a bit different. He sounds like he has yummy dinners! Poor mickey survives on Hi-Fi lite and a cup of lo-cal balancer. He would be very jealous!

I had a call this morning - someone cancelled so I'm riding tonight and next week (12th?) then that's it! I'm off on holiday, and when I get back I'll be living 25miles away.

Glad you have had some sneaky sits on. Has Baron been to the dressage champs yet?