Oil in feed and Sprenger stirrups...

[littleboyblue]

1) I'm a bit confused about what type of oil to feed my horse, some people say to feed soya oil, corn oil or veg oil. He's in good condition and I'd love him to have a bit more of a shine to his coat! At the min he's on alfaA, pony nuts (competition mix when he's up and going), garlic, and 5* supaflex. what does everyone else use??? (what do people think about alfaA with oil or blue chip?)

2) Sprenger stirrups... I'm going to be coming back to riding having had broken ankle and being off the horse for over 10 weeks, therefore I know that my ankle is going to be horribly stiff! i was wondering what people thought of those stirrups and how effective they are, even though they're expensive.

3)Finally... I'll be bringing my Appaloosa (chunkyish) back into work after 2 months off, (before his holiday he was about PN eventing fit) and I was wondering how long I should keep him in walk during fittening programme for because everyone has different ideas! I'm only asking because my horse has never had such a big holiday (only ever 2 weeks at a time) and I want to get him fit properly!

Thanks everyone!

 

[claire1976]

Have you tried Balanced Horse feeds Show Mix? Its a really good mix for getting a show shine to coat without fizzing them up, not expensive either, my mare is really fussy and loves it.
Otherwise, Soya Oil is my personal favourite. Wouldn't use fish oil (cod liver) as horses are vegetarians and I just don't think its natural!!

 

[poggio]

I used to suffer with my left ankle stiffening up and aching after being in the saddle for any period of time (actually as a result of other issues with my back and hips!) and have noticed since using my sprenger stirrups it has definately eased.

 

[Bess]

I've got a dogdy right ankle and Sprenger strirrup irons def help.

 

[tormor]

i use soya oil when i have money and veg oil when i don't. only difference i have found is that soya oil gives my boy some extra fizz.

 

[samp]

I use vegetable oil - it is cheaper sdo you can feed more. After breaking my knee sprenger type irons have been a god send.
With regards to walking I personally would do 2 weeks walking, 2 weeks walking and trotting (roads only) and then on 5th week introduce schooling with little spells of canter

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

I use corn oil for no other reason than my horse's previous owner gave her corn oil and she seems to like the taste.

I did buy her some cod liver oil because I wanted her to get the omega3 stuff but she wouldn't eat it. I gave it to a friend and her horse wouldn't eat it either. So I wouldn't be recommending adding that to feed

 

[Chex]

I've brought Sprenger stirrups for the same reason, I broke my leg in summer, and hope when I can get back to riding they'll ease the strain on knee and ankle and broken bits. I won't know until January though!

 

[UKa]

oil in feed: why not change to Alfa A Oil rather than Alfa A then you have oil added already and Alfa A Oil has the benefit that it is unmolassed too

 

[BenjaminBunny]

I'd agree with Uka

there is nothing worse than overloading a feed - as some feeds can overrule others or you could be feeding too much of some nutrients which erradicate others

keep it simple

 

[connemaras]

i have them stirrups, and there the best pair of stirrups ive ever had! defo recommend buying thm, i did mu ankle in when i ws younger nd it has never been the same (movement wise ect..) so i brought the stirrups and they work wonders also take any pressure from you knee, hip and lower back. good luck, xx