Recommend a low cal chaff/fibre feed

[Crazydancer]

As the grass in our fields has not been growing as much as usual, I'm wanting to give my two a bit of extra fibre. Neither need any more weight on, so was looking for a low cal fibre or chaff. They are out 24/7 and in very light work, so not having a regular feed at the mo, I was thinking of getting some 'Happy Hoof' unless anyone has any other suggestions?

 

[Flight]

Mine have top chop light, made by topspec. Don't know if it is any better but it smells lovely and they really like it.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Similar dengie product Healthy Hooves (which my nags found a lot more appetising than Happy Hoof) is about 8.5Mj/kg, which is about 0.5 more than the Dengie HifiLite low calorie chaff (8.0 Mj/kg).

So for my fattie I use Hifi Lite and then just use the Healthy Hooves a little bit to hide her vit and min supplement in (as she doesnt get a full range as she is on a diet!)

PS have just looked up and Happy Hoof is 8.8 MJ/kg so higher than both the Dengie ones.

Or you could soak stalky hay for 12 hours and feed that, tho the sugar content of hay is more variable than the bagged stuff.

 

[Flowers187]

Loveeeee Happy Hoof! It has little nuts and stuff mixed in with it too and it smells lovely!

 

[Crazydancer]

Thanks guys, I will check out what Dengie products I can get tomorrow, that looks the best bet, next to Happy Hoof. The Topspec one looks like a good product, but higher calorie. It's only for a short-term fix until we get our winter delivery of haylage. I just need highest bulk with the least calories, as my gelding in particular is a good do-er, and don't want any extra on him!!

 

[touchstone]

The highest fibre/lowest calorie chaff that Dengie do is Good-Doer. Fast Fibre is a low calorie alternative but not so high in fibre as Good doer.

 

[Loopypony]

We use Chestnut Horse Feeds Chestnut Lite for our good-doers. Find it really good!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

The highest fibre/lowest calorie chaff that Dengie do is Good-Doer. Fast Fibre is a low calorie alternative but not so high in fibre as Good doer.

That's true (at 7 Mj.kg) tho I didnt suggest it as oddly, Dengie dont suggest it for overweight/prone to lami horses, they suggest HifiLite instead, and good doer only for not prone to lami horses. Not sure why that is tho.

 

[AngieandBen]

That's true (at 7 Mj.kg) tho I didnt suggest it as oddly, Dengie dont suggest it for overweight/prone to lami horses, they suggest HifiLite instead, and good doer only for not prone to lami horses. Not sure why that is tho.

Because of the sugar content; Its 8% whereas Fast Fibre is only 2% and Hi Fi Lite I thinks is 4%

 

[mulledwhine]

I use safe and sound

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Another alternative is the new Dengie Hi Fi Molasses free; http://www.dengie.com/pages/products/alfa-a-and-hi-fi-ranges/hi-fi-molasses-free.php

Low calorie and with no added sugar.

 

[Ladylina83]

I have been using HiFi mollases free we are on bag numero 3 now and bothof mine really really like it

 

[ThePony]

sorry if this sounds a stupid question - but why not just feed soaked hay? We pop a slice of small bale hay in each evening as, like you, the grass growth hasn't given them the amount to nibble on for fibre that I would like. Hay will take them longer to eat than chopped food, and you would have to find some crazy priced hay to have it cost more than chaff! No worries about what odd stuff they put in either - no molasses/moglo/oil etc hiding there adding cals you don't want.