Simple Systems Vs Top Spec/Spillers

[Booga22]

Hello!!

I am looking at various feed options for my 3.5 mare, who is sensitive to a lot of ingredients so the simpler the better..... She also suffers from allergic reactions, from various sources (which vets are looking in to), but diet does seem to be part of the problem - more to the point - the particulars of her diet!
She is currently on Spillers Lite balance having switched from Top Spec, to see if this lessened/worsened both the itchy/sensitive skin and also the adverse behavioural traits which having ruled out pain as the cause (fully qual chiro & physio, vet, farrier and edt) we are pointing at the feed! Also has A&P fast fibre. Looking for low starch/sugar fibre based diet............

Has anyone here tried the Simple Systems feeds, in particular the Total Eclispse, GreenGold & LuciePellets?
Or maybe even the Pure Feed Company?

Thanks for reading!

 

[fizzer]

I have fed simple systems for a number of years with great success. I use the just grass and ruff stuff. However, I must say I have dropped the lucie nuts/pellets and use Fast fibre, its so easy to use ( 60 secs and soaked).

 

[team barney]

Mine wouldn't touch simple systems feeds despite my best efforts!

Have you tried her on straits? Grass nuts, beet, oats ect.

Most feed merchants sell plain old grass nuts and they are a lot cheaper than the brands.

 

[Ladyinred]

I swore by SS for many years but had a slight falling out with them over a 3 faulty bags of feed. However.. since changing and eliminating all alfalfa products my itchy horse has finally stopped itching after 7 long years of misery.

My advice, very seriously as he also had the behavioural issues, is to search and find both sugar free and alfalfa free foods. Not an easy task but it made one hell of a difference to us.

Allen and Page Fast Fibre seems good to use and we can get away with the low percentage of sugar in Speedi-Beet. We also use TopChop Lite which contains a small percentage of alfalfa but is 'safer' than the sugar contained in Hi-Fi Lite which is enough to send him over the edge. If he doesn't have a weight problem then the sugar-free HiFi might be good, but it does contain oil. I would really love an old fashioned chaff cutter which would sove so many of our problems. I believe one company does sell pure oat straw chaff, but I know my feed merchants were unable to get hold of it.

Even flippin' Farriers Formula contains enough alfalfa to make him itch again!

Good luck.

 

[HazyXmas]

Gosh Ladyinred, that's really interesting about Hifi lite containing sugar & making them itch. I've got a 6 yr old mare that has been on box rest for 3 months, the vet said to give her Hifi lite as small feed when others are fed & ad lib hay which we've done, however she is sooooo itchy, never was before but is rubbing everywhere now, i wonder if it could be the sugar? She is now back in very light work but still mostly in (about 1 hour turnout in tiny paddock) what could i feed her that didn't contain sugar?
Many thanks for any help

 

[Ladyinred]

HiFi Lite is 'sprayed with sugar to increase palatability' Makes no sense at all does it? Top Spec TopChop Lite contains NO sugar.. it seems a little on the fine side compared to HiFi, but we have used it since it first came on the market and had no problems.. it also smells great as it contains mint, so fussy feeders are tempted.

 

[PurplePickle]

i really would like to keep feeding SS but my horses all go off it after a few weeks and Im left with bags of it, I did try the total eclipse for a foal with flu and she seemed to do well on it, also the pure linseed great for their coats.


I like top spec but its expensive , my little mare had problems with concentrates for years, she ended up being on hi fi lite and speedi beet and I then supplemented in herbs but even then some branded herb mixes gave her colic

Like the sound of the top spec chop

 

[9tails]

Alfa also made mine itch, if you're looking for goodness with nothing added I recommend Graze On as a chaff. It's chopped dried grass. Great at this time of year too when the goodness in grass is dropping off. I've not tried SS as I feel it's too expensive but there are more haterz than loverz at the yard I'm on.

 

[Booga22]

Thanks for all of the replies. I had also considered just keeping her on Allen & Page feed range, but then I would like to feed a chaff with it, so that Graze On sounds like an option too. I had been giving her a handful of Alfa A, and although my vet said it is quite rare for them to display adverse reactions - it seems more andmore common these days.
We have lost the urticaria (sp) but she is still very itchy and prone to excitability/irritability.

Also found garlic brings her out in a bad rash and upsets her tummy - so much for a hardcore native!!lol

 

[fatponee]

Could you feed grass nuts? Northern Crop do them (although I'm sure other makes do them too!) and they're only £8.50 a bag! Much cheaper than Top Spec I would have thought?

 

[lannerch]

What about pure feed especially as it has 50% of your 1st order.
I have fed it for 3 weeks now and my horse is blossoming I ordered it after reading some very positive posts on here ( do a search ) its chaff base is grass it is high oil low starch and sugar no Alfa a and completely balanced so you do not have to feed anything else

 

[Housemouse]

I have fed SS feeds for years despite people trying to persuade me that there are cheaper options.

SS know exactly what grasses are used, that no chemicals are used - truly organic.

One of my horses has a particular problem with allergies that affect skin, breathing and behavior.

I feed SS grass pellets, Total Eclipse and Ruff Stuff. Since being on SS feeds, I have had very few problems.

I cannot recommend them highly enough.