Need more energy - feed suggestions?

[MissSBird]

Hey guys

My instructor and I have come to the conclusion that I need to change B's feeding.

He is a 5 year old connemara who, like most natives, has a tendency to be fat. Consequently I've always kept his feeds as low as possible - a basic balancer for vits and mins and some low-fat chaff as he has had choke in the past. He also gets seaweed.

His routine is to be out at night in the field. As all grass masks rub him terribly he doesn't wear one. He then comes in during the day and is allowed a small net of 12hr soaked hay which he doesn't usually touch.

He is worked 5/6 times a week, a mixture of hacking, schooling and jumping for 45mins-1 hour.

He's always been a lazy horse, but recently I've been feeling I'm having to coax every single stride out of him and it's exhausting. He's not any more reluctant to work - he does what he's asked obediently. He just has no lift or 'sparkle' in his work anymore, and after the first initial energy burst just flattens completely. He's a little better after a day off or when we're jumping, but the next day is back to being dull again.

So I'm looking for something to add a bit of energy, but I'm also aware that I don't want something that is going to pile on the pounds (the last thing he needs). I'm also worried about laminitus; he's never had it nor shown signs, but I figure with his type I should be wary of it.

Feels like I'm asking the impossible!

I went to my feed store and found out what they stock/suggest. Has anyone tried any of the following? Or any other suggestions?

Allen and Page Power and Performance
Allen and Page Sustain
Spillers Slow Release Mix

Thanks!

 

[Birker2020]

Hey guys


He's always been a lazy horse, but recently I've been feeling I'm having to coax every single stride out of him and it's exhausting. He's not any more reluctant to work - he does what he's asked obediently. He just has no lift or 'sparkle' in his work anymore, and after the first initial energy burst just flattens completely. He's a little better after a day off or when we're jumping, but the next day is back to being dull again.


Thanks!

MissSBird you have described my horse to a tee!! I started giving Bailey competition mix as he would be practically asleep at competitions and I felt like the only time he ever came alive was when he heard the bell ring for the start of the round. At home he was dreadful to ride, and lacked energy. The competition mix didn't do anything. Then I put him on Rowan Barbarry's extra mash but that didn't do any good either. Then I tried bruised oats and then resorted to naked oats and they didn't do anything either. By this stage I was running out of ideas.

He was well overdue to have his hocks medicated (mild bone spavin) and so I thought I'd get them done as I could share the visit with his field companion and share the cost of the call out. When it came the time to ride him after the medication he was like a different horse, full of life, not tiring after ten minutes, lots of sparkle and drive!!

So I guess what I'm trying to say in a diplomatic way is are you sure that his lethargy and dullness isn't pain related?

 

[Ali27]

Nupafeed " staying power" is brilliant! It worked wonders with my mare who is a good doer! Google it and read the reviews!

 

[You Wont Forget Me]

Oats!! and if your doing harder long work like eventing i'd add sustain to help him hold his energy

 

[WelshRuby]

Hi. As his food is restricted he might be anaemic. My NF need a top-up of a blood tonic every now and then. Do his gums look a bit pale or blotchy?

 

[MissSBird]

I'm pretty sure that his lethargy isn't pain related because he is always better the day after a day off, when we're jumping or when we're doing fast canter/gallop work in the fields. There are also regular patterns to it. The lethargy is worse on hotter days than on cooler days for example. He also shows plenty of life when showing in-hand (he's a bit of a b****** in-hand) and in the field. It's really just when he's being asked to work under saddle that we have issues.

Which has just made me think what if it's the saddle. I'll look into that a bit more, though again he's shown no signs that he's unhappy. Better safe than sorry though!

I couldn't honestly tell you off the top of my head Sov-n-Dom, but I'll check that out tomorrow.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[vicksey]

You have just described my horse!!! I too am paraniod about laminitis so my horse is constantly on a maintenance diet and kept at a sensible weight and is worked 5/6 days a week. He is a naturally lazy chap and like others I have tried everything from competition mixes and oats.

However I have had great results with red cell (fed along side hi fi lite / or good doer and dangie balancer) and top spec comprehensive balancer (fed along side hi fi lite / or good doer)

Currently he on on top spec antilam (as I was paraniod about summer grass) and we have noooo energy so we are going back on the comprehensive balancer in a few days time as his weight is good, and trying alfa a lite. Trying NAF energy but no results as yet (after 10 days)

I do think its something to do with the warm weather and being out 24/7 (very short grass) which makes my lad more laid back than he normally would be. its so confusing and can work out costly so good luck!