More energy without too much fizz . . . and no sugar

PolarSkye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2010
Messages
9,562
Visit site
Kal is already on a high oil, high fibre and low starch/sugar diet and he's doing well on it . . . happy, relaxed . . . but now a little bit too relaxed. He is back in his own field and so is out during the day and in at night. His teeth have recently been done, he has been wormed, he is well in himself, etc., but he just needs a little more ooomph.

He is currently fed (twice a day):

One (Stubbs) scoop ERS Pellets
One scoop Alfa A Molasses Free
One mug Horse and Pony Direct balancer
Quarter scoop micronised linseed
Tablespoon salt
One (small) scoop pure MSM

He also has one of those huge black/red haynets stuffed full of hay overnight - plus an enormous trug full (and sprayed) . . . and is in a field with grass (which has pretty much turned to hay).

I would say he is in medium work - is ridden and/or worked on the ground 5/6 days a week and competes (on average) twice a month - sometimes more, sometimes less.

He is in good condition - coat shiny, eyes bright, etc., but is lacking a bit of sparkle and is very definitely behind the leg . . . what can I give him to wake him up a bit more without sending him loopy? He can't have molasses - sends him round the twist - and has been prone to being girthy/box walking/grinding his teeth until I switched him to this diet so I want to be careful not to upset his gut.

Ideas on a postcard please :D.

P
 

Scarlett

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 August 2006
Messages
3,645
Location
Surrey
Visit site
I started feeding mine KeyFlow feeds a while back for the exact same reasons - needed more go but without the fizz. Started on the StayCool Mix which is 2.5% sugar and now he's in even more work I've moved onto the Maestro Mix which is 3% sugar. Cannot praise it enough, horse is forward and focused, has plenty of go without sacrificing concentration, I feed just a scoop a day and he goes and feels fantastic. Apparently it's cooked differently from other mixes and is much more digestible than a normal comp mix. My boy is super sensitive and I had tried several different brands before finding this, can't believe the difference.

http://keyflow.co/key-products/mark-todd-range/
 

whizzer

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 February 2009
Messages
1,127
Visit site
My horse is super sensitive & has had ulcers a few times. He's also very easily upset by most feeds ever invented! I found releve & equijewell gave him energy but it was too much & he got very silly on them but I seem to remember the ERS did the same! I've recently added oats to his normal diet(linseed,conditioning chaff,soya & speedibeet) & I'm really pleased with the result. I did it gradually & watched carefully for any ulcer signs but he is really comfortable & looks great. He's energetic & got sparkle but not gone nuts,it's normally near impossible to feed this horse for energy without it losing the plot! Added bonus is that he loves them more than anything else I've ever fed him(super fussy as well) & absolutely wolfs his feed down now.
 

PolarSkye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2010
Messages
9,562
Visit site
My horse is super sensitive & has had ulcers a few times. He's also very easily upset by most feeds ever invented! I found releve & equijewell gave him energy but it was too much & he got very silly on them but I seem to remember the ERS did the same! I've recently added oats to his normal diet(linseed,conditioning chaff,soya & speedibeet) & I'm really pleased with the result. I did it gradually & watched carefully for any ulcer signs but he is really comfortable & looks great. He's energetic & got sparkle but not gone nuts,it's normally near impossible to feed this horse for energy without it losing the plot! Added bonus is that he loves them more than anything else I've ever fed him(super fussy as well) & absolutely wolfs his feed down now.

Out of interest - what type of oats do you feed? Bruised/rolled/crimped/whole/tiger, etc.?

P
 

PolarSkye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2010
Messages
9,562
Visit site
I started feeding mine KeyFlow feeds a while back for the exact same reasons - needed more go but without the fizz. Started on the StayCool Mix which is 2.5% sugar and now he's in even more work I've moved onto the Maestro Mix which is 3% sugar. Cannot praise it enough, horse is forward and focused, has plenty of go without sacrificing concentration, I feed just a scoop a day and he goes and feels fantastic. Apparently it's cooked differently from other mixes and is much more digestible than a normal comp mix. My boy is super sensitive and I had tried several different brands before finding this, can't believe the difference.

http://keyflow.co/key-products/mark-todd-range/

Thanks Scarlett . . . have to say that I have a bit of a thing about mixes (as in don't like them) and much prefer to feed straights, but will go and take a look :).

P
 

Scarlett

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 August 2006
Messages
3,645
Location
Surrey
Visit site
Thanks Scarlett . . . have to say that I have a bit of a thing about mixes (as in don't like them) and much prefer to feed straights, but will go and take a look :).

P

So do I, I'm a big fan of plain, straight oats but they are too starchy for this horse (barefoot with IR 'tendencies' and suspected ulcers) so had to look at alternatives, very glad I did! :)
 

whizzer

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 February 2009
Messages
1,127
Visit site
I have used bruised oats,at the moment I'm using soaked oats as bought whole oats this time so just stick then in to soak with my speedibeet. I soak them for 12-24 hrs. Honestly couldn't be more pleased with the results as been struggling to get feed right for this horse for 15 YEARS!!!!!
 

PolarSkye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2010
Messages
9,562
Visit site
Have a look at the Saracen feeds; Enduro 100 does a good job :)

(I also dont 'do' mixes but straights, but have been converted by this one as it does the job :) )

Thanks Char . . . off to take a look . . . :D. And, in answer to your question about whether Kal is a good nanny, it depends what the other horse is doing . . . we'll talk on PM.

P
 

PolarSkye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2010
Messages
9,562
Visit site
I have used bruised oats,at the moment I'm using soaked oats as bought whole oats this time so just stick then in to soak with my speedibeet. I soak them for 12-24 hrs. Honestly couldn't be more pleased with the results as been struggling to get feed right for this horse for 15 YEARS!!!!!

So just whole oats soaked overnight or equivalent? How long do they keep/retain their nutritional value once soaked? Are they not high in starch? What do you feed alongside?

Thanks in advance Whizzer :).

P
 

cyberhorse

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 February 2008
Messages
1,276
Location
Westmorland
Visit site
My horse is on a pretty similar diet and my farrier suggested a small amount of Alf Alfa pellets as a supplement (not full feed level) to help with his very slightly soft feet. It sorted the feet, but also I noticed his energy levels increased in canter work and jumping without any additional "silliness".

Eta: I do know some horses that have gone slightly spooky on it so not for everyone
 

whizzer

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 February 2009
Messages
1,127
Visit site
I soak some once daily in a tub with a lid,soak my speedibeet in with them as well. The time varies when I feed him as I work odd hours, sometimes they soak for 12 hrs sometimes 24 hrs. Sorry,I'm not sure how long the nutritional value us once soaked-they're working & that's enough for me! I feed them with spillers or mollichaff conditioning fibre(could prob drop the chaff but when he's eating well I don't like to rock the boat!),Charnwood linseed,speedibeet & soya. Also has variou supplements. I steered clear for a long time as I was very wary of cereals/possible starchy things but I do a lot of 'research' into feeding as he's so blinking difficult to feed & decided to give them a try. Although he's had ulcers a few times they weren't due to poor management(he had extensive sinus problems & got ulcers on his numerous long vets stays,even got them when we tried using gastrogard as a preventative whilst he was at vets!) .On this basis I decide to give them a try & was fully prepared for the ensuring antics,as I mentioned before he can't cope with most feed. But no fireworks at all he's sensible but sparky!
 

PolarSkye

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2010
Messages
9,562
Visit site
I soak some once daily in a tub with a lid,soak my speedibeet in with them as well. The time varies when I feed him as I work odd hours, sometimes they soak for 12 hrs sometimes 24 hrs. Sorry,I'm not sure how long the nutritional value us once soaked-they're working & that's enough for me! I feed them with spillers or mollichaff conditioning fibre(could prob drop the chaff but when he's eating well I don't like to rock the boat!),Charnwood linseed,speedibeet & soya. Also has variou supplements. I steered clear for a long time as I was very wary of cereals/possible starchy things but I do a lot of 'research' into feeding as he's so blinking difficult to feed & decided to give them a try. Although he's had ulcers a few times they weren't due to poor management(he had extensive sinus problems & got ulcers on his numerous long vets stays,even got them when we tried using gastrogard as a preventative whilst he was at vets!) .On this basis I decide to give them a try & was fully prepared for the ensuring antics,as I mentioned before he can't cope with most feed. But no fireworks at all he's sensible but sparky!

Thank you - very comprehensive reply :D. Sensible but sparky is what we need. Defo no fireworks ;).

P
 

TwoStroke

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2011
Messages
1,577
Visit site
Being behind the leg is surely a training issue? If he's maintaining weight then he's getting enough calories...
 

whizzer

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 February 2009
Messages
1,127
Visit site
Polar sky-glad it makes sense thought when I wrote all that it sounded fairly random! But it's working for mine which is a massive relief after all the feeding hassle he puts me through!
 

flintfootfilly

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2010
Messages
611
Visit site
I would swop your current balancer for one with a good amount of selenium yeast (aka organic selenium) rather than the sodium selenite that is in your current balancer.

Blue Chip would be my suggestion.

I say this because my gang of ponies have shown varying degrees of work intolerance, reluctance to work or lack of energy and are known to have been deficient in selenium for many years.

The best improvement I saw in them, measured by muscle enzymes in blood tests and by their response to work, was after they had been on a balancer with organic selenium. Switching to one with sodium selenite saw no further improvement, and if anything a worsening of muscle damage.

Easy and cheap enough to try, but if it is that it took 4 - 5 months from making the change for a difference to be noticeable.

I agree that the horse is getting enough calories if their weight is ok, so I wouldn't go down that route.

Sarah
 

JanetN

New User
Joined
8 February 2020
Messages
7
Visit site
My horse is super sensitive & has had ulcers a few times. He's also very easily upset by most feeds ever invented! I found releve & equijewell gave him energy but it was too much & he got very silly on them but I seem to remember the ERS did the same! I've recently added oats to his normal diet(linseed,conditioning chaff,soya & speedibeet) & I'm really pleased with the result. I did it gradually & watched carefully for any ulcer signs but he is really comfortable & looks great. He's energetic & got sparkle but not gone nuts,it's normally near impossible to feed this horse for energy without it losing the plot! Added bonus is that he loves them more than anything else I've ever fed him(super fussy as well) & absolutely wolfs his feed down now.


I have just got some oats for my girl she is barefoot so on low sugar low starch diet but I think due to this she just has no energy. So hope I get good results like yourself
 

Dusty 123

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 April 2020
Messages
109
Visit site
Curragh Carron Oil brilliant for energy or You could feed a low protein horse and pony mix that would give plenty of energy without to much fizz
 
Top