Probibily been done to death - feeding for energy..

[Damnation]

.. without fizz?
My mare is quite a good doer for a TB, at the moment she is on Alfa beet and molichop original (not alot, about half a scoop of each) and she looks fab condition wise, lovely shiny coat, about perfect weight wise etc, but now coming into winter she is lacking a bit of energy, so I need a bit more oomph for schooling but I don't want her to go silly. In the past she has been on D&H pasture mix but I have found that this doesn't really do anything energy wise. She also needs a mix that isn't too high in protein, protein doesn't agree with her and she comes out in a rash bless her

!

I am thinking of adding a mix her feed, which ones do you guys reccomend?
She is out on grass all day and in at night with ad lib hayledge, she is also very fit so her lacking of energy isn't coming from unfitness.
Thanks guys
Izzi

 

[TGM]

I would first try giving her a broad spectrum vit/min supplement if you don't already, that may perk her up a bit.

 

[Damnation]

Forgot to add that she is on garlic and a multivitamin suppliment! And there I was thinking I had given all the information you guys needed!

Thanks TGM

 

[TGM]

Does she normally lack energy when ridden or is this a recent thing? If it is a recent change it is worth getting her checked out to ensure it is not a physical problem like a virus, sub-clinical lameness etc.

What feeds have you used that have brought her out in a rash - it might not be just related to the protein content, could be a specific ingredient - barley is a common one that horses react to.

 

[Damnation]

Its a recent thing but it happened last winter too.
Alfa A oil (anymore than half a scoop) and build up nuts/mix. Vet said it was a proten rash all up her neck.
I don't think there is anything wrong with her, she has had all the checks, back, saddle, teeth etc and she is always fine. Lacking of energy happened this time last year too and the vet said it was due to the grass loosing its nutrients. She is fine in herself etc.
I couldn't find anything last year to perk her up but she was in and out of work with saddle issues and constantly finding the barbed wire in the field to cut her legs on so I didn't really look that hard..

 

[TGM]

Did she get the rash when fed Alfa A Oil on its own? I can understand getting the rash when fed Build Up, as it contains barley, which seems to trigger a skin reaction in a lot of horses.

As she seems to lose energy once the grass decreases, have you thought of feeding a grass-based product - something like Readigrass, Graze-On, or grass nuts?

 

[Damnation]

I see where your coming from. She was on the alfa A oil and the build up nuts at the time because I bought her and she still hadn't filled out come winter. She has been on Alfa A oil since and she seems to be fine with it in small quanitities but I haven't really wanted to push it, maybe it was the barley in the build up and not a protein rash?
I have heard of redi grass too, I really like the smell, I may try it as over here its more readily available than the graze-on or grass nuts.
Thank you TGM

Izzi

 

[KatB]

Adding oil is a cheap and easy way

 

[Persephone]

I have changed my lacklustre mare over to the Gro Well Feeds Equilibra system with Alfa A Oil.

She is in medium work and now has Equilibra, Fibergy and Tiger Oats along with Alfa A Oil.

TBH she is now going fabulously. She has a spring in her step, a sparkle in her eye and she really moves on. I have had no silliness with her just a general interest in her work now. It's lovely!

Jo x

 

[Lonesome_Dove]

Readigrass is high in protein, 15%, which is higher than both Alfa-A and Alfa-A Oil, which contain 14%. Just thought I would mention is as you are trying to steer away from high protein, but like TGM said, it could just be the barley.