Something to add to feed for condition - oil?

[Bramblebear]

My mare is quite a fussy eater and after much trial and error I have finally found something that she tolerates (chaff, fast fibre and top spec balancer). She is out during the day and in at night with ad lib access to hay and haylage. We have been doing more work than normal and she is looking a bit poor.

I want to give her something to help with condition but I am not keen on adjusting her feeds too dramatically because it has taken so long to find something she likes. I was thinking about adding some oil to her feed, but a friend mentions that this can cause multiple deficiencies including vitamin E, so now I am a bit stumped. I have always been lucky enough to have good doers before this one!

Any ideas for what can I add to her feed to help build her up a bit, that is not heating?

Thanks

 

[Shay]

Try linseed oil. But add it slowly over a number of days - some horses don't like the texture. I have a fussy feeder who goes poor in winter quite easily but who also can't tolerate barley, molasses or anything which might blow his brains (we feed A&P Calm & Collected). He tolerated oil very well this winter and it has made all the difference. I've never heard of oils causing vitamin deficiencies before and a quick Google search didn't throw up anything. There is a lot of talk about the ratio between Omega 3 and omega 6; although nothing really established academically.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

or for something that wont put her off/alter feed try Equine Elite NZ mega build-powdered supp that will add condition

 

[Scarlett]

If you want an oil source I'd go for micronised linseed. You feed it by the mug and a 20kg bag lasts months so it's great value too.

Personally I like Omega Rice which is a rice bran and linseed pellet - it's balanced so no worries about vitamin e etc and it adds bulk without being heating.

 

[Bramblebear]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Think I will go down the micronised linseed approach and see how we gen on.

 

[wench]

If she will eat FF, will she eat calm and condition?

Or if on "normal" topspec, would she eat the upgraded version?

 

[Radar Lugs]

If she eats FF she probably will eat calm and condition. My 2 love it where as only tolerated FF.