welshies
Well-Known Member
Has anyone heard of/used this feed? Or anything similar, it's a non-cereal low sugar diet.
Simple System
- Thread starter welshies
- Start date
CPW
Well-Known Member
Yes I have used it previously, didn't suit my horse and he was not keen on it at all - but I know lots of people would highly recommend!
They are extremely helpful so do call them and give them details about your horse generally and they will inform you of what they should be fed.
They are extremely helpful so do call them and give them details about your horse generally and they will inform you of what they should be fed.
Shipley
Well-Known Member
Another one that does not like it - sorry.
Horses I have fed to eat for a few weeks and then only eat if its despirate i.e. no hay etc, s
Some horses love it though had one old horse that could not eat very well and he sort of drank it.
Also the girl that feeds it on my yard has had problems with it freezing as its so water baised.
Horses I have fed to eat for a few weeks and then only eat if its despirate i.e. no hay etc, s
Some horses love it though had one old horse that could not eat very well and he sort of drank it.
Also the girl that feeds it on my yard has had problems with it freezing as its so water baised.
Happytohack
Well-Known Member
I have been using these feeds for years - it really suits my two heavy horses. It keeps their weight on and doesn't upset their calm natures! It has been a godsend in this awful weather, as they have been in a lot and have 3 trugfulls of feed a day, but have still remained calm and happy. All the feeds are cereal and sugar free and are ethically sourced. My biggies have the blue grass nuts, lucie nuts, unmolassed sugarbeet and just grass and do really well on it. Give them a ring - they are extremely helpful.
eoe
Well-Known Member
Yes they are a local company here in Essex, their feeds are very good, but like with any feed manufacturer I have used their Lucerne nuts very effectively for weight gain. Their feeds are expensive. I do know someone who slowly switched to using their range for their pony and it did not make a lot of difference, this may have been because the pony was old. Another person used their feeds and fed the recommended weights and their horse is now very obese as they omitted to tell Simple Systems that their horse got very little exercise. From what I know some horses will not eat an entire feed of Simple Systems and others will. I have to admit it does smell different too normal horse feeds. If I were you I would speak to them explain what you want to achieve and use only the feed you need not their entire range and watch how much you feed as well, my mare drops off at the end of winter and I tend too use 2 sacks of lucerne nuts too help her along and that is always enough and I just add it too her existing feed instead of sugar beet.
zoeshiloh
Well-Known Member
I spoke to them at the Suffolk Show. I was impressed with some of their products, but thought others over priced for what they were. I have heard lots of good and bad things about them, so I guess it depends whether it suits your horse. In the end I went somewhere else as I found another manufacturer doing a similar thing but at half the price. A very good friend of mine has a welsh pony stud, and she swears by Simple Systems though - I guess it all comes down to the individual horse.
Tickles
Well-Known Member
I know two yards (one RS/livery, one RDA) who use this feed for all their horses (obviously different combinations dependent on size/work/etc)
The RS/livery place which has both novice rides and comp horses, all living in 24/7 but hacking out & schooling daily, found that horses were much more calm around meal times - not so desperate before hand or so hyper after. they put it down to more stable blood sugar levels. Their animals all look happy on it.
The RDA place I have to say has some miserable animals but I think that is down to past abuse, long-term conditions (they are RDA - can't afford 'nice' animals!) and to other management issues. Weight-wise they all look good and do their jobs well.
The RS/livery place which has both novice rides and comp horses, all living in 24/7 but hacking out & schooling daily, found that horses were much more calm around meal times - not so desperate before hand or so hyper after. they put it down to more stable blood sugar levels. Their animals all look happy on it.
The RDA place I have to say has some miserable animals but I think that is down to past abuse, long-term conditions (they are RDA - can't afford 'nice' animals!) and to other management issues. Weight-wise they all look good and do their jobs well.
welshies
Well-Known Member
thanks for all the replies, interesting.
zoeshiloh, what other feed did you find?
zoeshiloh, what other feed did you find?
Bosworth
Well-Known Member
I use it for all the horses on the yard in a slight variety of combinations. All are sane and calm, eat up everything they are given. I have never in 10 years of usage come across horses that don't like it or that don't do well on it. I never feed the recommended amount as I find that that is too much apart ffeom an old horse who could have nothing else to eat as it was having teeth problems. I actually find it really cheap to use as you soak it and it expands dramatically. I have no problem with it freezing as I make it up in the individual feed bowls and then put them inside a bin. its a slow feed so doesn't get bolted down, can be fed immediately before and after exercise as it is digested as grass and hay in the hind gut so unlikely to ever cause colic.
I have given it to horses that have arrived stressed and manic and they calm down within a couple of days, works brilliantly for horses with gastric ulcers. I competed off it - eventing and have never had a horse lackin in energy from it. In fact I seem to have horses with far more stamina and contained energy rather than the lunatic energy you get from some competition mixes.
I have given it to horses that have arrived stressed and manic and they calm down within a couple of days, works brilliantly for horses with gastric ulcers. I competed off it - eventing and have never had a horse lackin in energy from it. In fact I seem to have horses with far more stamina and contained energy rather than the lunatic energy you get from some competition mixes.
SheadonSaffron
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I used Simple System for my old horse who really struggled with hard feed - I soaked it, and could give her basically as many feeds as she could manage in a day. She seemed to manage well on it (sadly I lost her a couple of years ago), and the people were very helpful when I spoke to them.
Another company that I think does a similar thing is the Pure Feed Company (http://www.fibrefeeds.com/), they might be worth looking into.
Sue
I used Simple System for my old horse who really struggled with hard feed - I soaked it, and could give her basically as many feeds as she could manage in a day. She seemed to manage well on it (sadly I lost her a couple of years ago), and the people were very helpful when I spoke to them.
Another company that I think does a similar thing is the Pure Feed Company (http://www.fibrefeeds.com/), they might be worth looking into.
Sue
LittleBluebell
Well-Known Member
I looked into it for my windsucking gelding when he had an azotoria attack, but decided it was quite expensive and there was no way for me to trial it, just incase I spent a fortune and he didn't like it. So I looked for alternatives, going down the fibre route. He is now on Hi Fi, Fibre nuts, micronised linseed, brewers yeast and fibre beet loves it and has never looked so good.
Theresa_F
Well-Known Member
Our horses are clydesdales and gypsy cobs.
Cairo the old clydesdale did very well on lucie stalks, and sometimes also had grass nuts and linseed. He actually had more energy and stamina than when on mix and molassed chaff and looked fantastic.
Chancer - from 16 months has been fed green gold and just grass, plus linseed.
Farra, our young clydesdale has green gold and just grass, plus linseed.
I do feed speedibeet - I found their beet slightly fizzed up Chancer for some reason.
When I want extra energy for the show ring, I use the red bag grass nuts - more energy than oats.
If they start to carry too much weight, I change just grass to ruff stuff.
I don't feed as much as they say, mine get two big stubbs scoops twice a day, one of each type of chaff, ie four scoops with speedibeet and they thrive on this.
They don't pile on weight, get daft and I like the fact that I can feed quickly after exercise and they can eat for a long time.
I like the no starch, no sugar and natural fibre way of feeding, my youngster has never had mix or mollassed feeds and has thrived and grown very well.
Cairo the old clydesdale did very well on lucie stalks, and sometimes also had grass nuts and linseed. He actually had more energy and stamina than when on mix and molassed chaff and looked fantastic.
Chancer - from 16 months has been fed green gold and just grass, plus linseed.
Farra, our young clydesdale has green gold and just grass, plus linseed.
I do feed speedibeet - I found their beet slightly fizzed up Chancer for some reason.
When I want extra energy for the show ring, I use the red bag grass nuts - more energy than oats.
If they start to carry too much weight, I change just grass to ruff stuff.
I don't feed as much as they say, mine get two big stubbs scoops twice a day, one of each type of chaff, ie four scoops with speedibeet and they thrive on this.
They don't pile on weight, get daft and I like the fact that I can feed quickly after exercise and they can eat for a long time.
I like the no starch, no sugar and natural fibre way of feeding, my youngster has never had mix or mollassed feeds and has thrived and grown very well.
lialls
Well-Known Member
I used to work for a lady who had been useing it for years and wouldnt used anything else. But i think it depends on you and your horse as to whether you get on with it or not. Im happy with what a feed my horse so i wouldnt use it.
alesea
Well-Known Member
We used to use it and all of ours (varying between welsh Ds, TBs, WBs) hoovered it up and did well on it. We only stopped feeding it because it's difficult to get hold of in our area.
We didn't feed anything fancy- just varying amounts of LucieBix (I think that was what it was), and my sister evented and PC'd her horse on it all year without needing any other supplements.
We didn't feed anything fancy- just varying amounts of LucieBix (I think that was what it was), and my sister evented and PC'd her horse on it all year without needing any other supplements.
natwood7
Active Member
I feed lucie nuts, grass nuts and purabeet to my TBx and he does really well on it. Its the only feed i've found where I can feed enough to keep his weight on without fizzing him up. We event on it too and he always has plenty of energy!! I dont feed anywhere near the recommended amounts so find it cost effective.
welshies
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
So I looked for alternatives, going down the fibre route. He is now on Hi Fi, Fibre nuts, micronised linseed, brewers yeast and fibre beet loves it and has never looked so good.
[/ QUOTE ]
I was thinking of doing the same sort of thing, there is a place about 10 miles from here that does it but i thought if ever i can't get there or they run out or even close down im stuck! so thought it's a simple enough diet to follow. Am feeding alfa A atm and am weaning him off the mix to do a bit of an exclusion diet. then was going to add Alfa A Oil (in winter) some kind of linseed (oil or something else) and brewers yeast (providing my usual supplier sells these things! Also Limestone flour to sort out the high calcium levels in alfalfa.
So I looked for alternatives, going down the fibre route. He is now on Hi Fi, Fibre nuts, micronised linseed, brewers yeast and fibre beet loves it and has never looked so good.
[/ QUOTE ]
I was thinking of doing the same sort of thing, there is a place about 10 miles from here that does it but i thought if ever i can't get there or they run out or even close down im stuck! so thought it's a simple enough diet to follow. Am feeding alfa A atm and am weaning him off the mix to do a bit of an exclusion diet. then was going to add Alfa A Oil (in winter) some kind of linseed (oil or something else) and brewers yeast (providing my usual supplier sells these things! Also Limestone flour to sort out the high calcium levels in alfalfa.
Bethie
Well-Known Member
I used to use simple system and they are very good but didn't like that I couldn't just nip to the local feed place to pick up a bag, had to place a large order for delivery. In the end I moved on to using other companies' equivalents to the simple system products and have stuck with that, costs less now too than to feed SS.
Twirly
Well-Known Member
I use a mixture of SS and other similar stuff and both my girls love it and are thriving!
I really believe they are the best most natural feeds but are expensive so I tend to use the "system", but with cheaper products.
Both youngsters are on their red bag grass pellets (youngsters so use the red for higher protein level) then use just grass (the D&H one as cheaper) as chaff. I also use speedibeet (not theirs) then instead of their total eclipse as vits/ mins/ balancer I make my own using products from Charnwood Milling at half the cost of SS!
So no sugars or cereals but a totally fibre based diet with all natural balancer added...works for me!
I really believe they are the best most natural feeds but are expensive so I tend to use the "system", but with cheaper products.
Both youngsters are on their red bag grass pellets (youngsters so use the red for higher protein level) then use just grass (the D&H one as cheaper) as chaff. I also use speedibeet (not theirs) then instead of their total eclipse as vits/ mins/ balancer I make my own using products from Charnwood Milling at half the cost of SS!
So no sugars or cereals but a totally fibre based diet with all natural balancer added...works for me!
brucea
Well-Known Member
I used the SS feeds for a while, but now only the beet
The Pura beet is the only non mollassed pelleted beet I can find and is a great feed.
The rest is very much over priced and I make up similar mixes using brewe's yeast, seaweed, linseed meal, MgO and so on.
Don't like theiur Linseed meal - have had too many rather overpriced bags that are smelling stale and dark - the Charnwood is far cheaper and smells and tastes lovely (yes - my kids do eat it)
I won't feed grass pellets or Alfalfa so don't use the other products
The Pura beet is the only non mollassed pelleted beet I can find and is a great feed.
The rest is very much over priced and I make up similar mixes using brewe's yeast, seaweed, linseed meal, MgO and so on.
Don't like theiur Linseed meal - have had too many rather overpriced bags that are smelling stale and dark - the Charnwood is far cheaper and smells and tastes lovely (yes - my kids do eat it)
I won't feed grass pellets or Alfalfa so don't use the other products
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
My horse is naturally laid back, so I didn't find much difference when switching and now feed a combination of SS and nomally obtainable feeds.
I feed the grass nuts instead of oats when my horse in in hard work, and I took him to a 4 day clinic last year and he was still full of energy at the end of 4 days (I normally feed the blue bag, but was feeding 50/50 blue and red). They usually start flagging after a couple of days!
I normally stick to Dengie Hi-Fi rather than the lucinuts, but I am lucky that there is a local supplier, although I agree it is a fag if you can't just pop down to the local feed store.
I also found the recommended quanitities enormous, but in a way it is an attitude of mind, in that we are used to giving "feeds" but the SS is a whole system that the horses are trickle feeding. Mine is also a very good doer and lives on fresh air, so when starting with even the minimum recommended he was putting on too much weight. Every horse is an individual I suppose.
I had doubts about the "balancer" and prefer to stay with Top Spec balancers as I have been very pleased with that over the years.
The owner of SS does a lot of endurance racing, very successfully, and I have a friend who feeds SS and does endurance, also successfully.
I feed the grass nuts instead of oats when my horse in in hard work, and I took him to a 4 day clinic last year and he was still full of energy at the end of 4 days (I normally feed the blue bag, but was feeding 50/50 blue and red). They usually start flagging after a couple of days!
I normally stick to Dengie Hi-Fi rather than the lucinuts, but I am lucky that there is a local supplier, although I agree it is a fag if you can't just pop down to the local feed store.
I also found the recommended quanitities enormous, but in a way it is an attitude of mind, in that we are used to giving "feeds" but the SS is a whole system that the horses are trickle feeding. Mine is also a very good doer and lives on fresh air, so when starting with even the minimum recommended he was putting on too much weight. Every horse is an individual I suppose.
I had doubts about the "balancer" and prefer to stay with Top Spec balancers as I have been very pleased with that over the years.
The owner of SS does a lot of endurance racing, very successfully, and I have a friend who feeds SS and does endurance, also successfully.
LittleBluebell
Well-Known Member
I get the linseed and brewers yeast delivered from:
http://www.charnwood-milling.co.uk/store/erol.html#727X0
Was the cheapest way to do it, the bags last forever! Have halved my feed bill to what mine used to be on!
http://www.charnwood-milling.co.uk/store/erol.html#727X0
Was the cheapest way to do it, the bags last forever! Have halved my feed bill to what mine used to be on!
chaps89
Well-Known Member
We have been feeding the SS stuff for about a year now.
They haev both gone off the Ruff Stuff (dried grass like chaff) but adore lucie stalks, I had one who would persistently crib after feed time, he's not done this since being on this feed.
Both are generally calmer without having lost their sparkle, nor have they become obese on the foods.
The team are helpful and friendly, ok the products aren't cheap but they get my vote.
They haev both gone off the Ruff Stuff (dried grass like chaff) but adore lucie stalks, I had one who would persistently crib after feed time, he's not done this since being on this feed.
Both are generally calmer without having lost their sparkle, nor have they become obese on the foods.
The team are helpful and friendly, ok the products aren't cheap but they get my vote.