Suggestions for feeding quick release 'instant' energy

[Birker2020]

Hi

I have my horse on Spillers Response Instant Energy mix
http://www.spillers-feeds.com/products/response-competition-feeds/instant-energy-mix/ as it recommends feeding to 'laid back' competition horses - which pretty much describes my horse, sluggish when ridden, falls asleep during competitions when tied up to the trailer/tied outside stable after being ridden for half an hour!

However the amount I am feeding (eight mugs full split between two feeds) made an amazing difference to start with, but now I've found he's running out of battery again! I suppose it would be equivalent to 3/4 Stubbs scoop a day. The Spillers nutritionist says I'm feeding well below recommended levels and was a little doubtful it would have any effect on him fed at current levels, but for about a fortnight it worked really well and he had loads more energy than before.

I seem to be getting through it quite quickly, is there anything else I can use that offers slightly more energy but is fed in small amounts?

I did wonder if maize flakes or oats would work. He's a very good doer so I don't want to be piling pounds of feed into him as he will get very fat plus the fact I can't afford to do so.

Please can anyone, suggest what I could use that won't cause a laminitis risk or make him fat? He is just under 17.1hh and weighs around 685KG, he is a WB aged 16 and is competed dressage/sj every weekend, and ridden four days a week light schooling (20-30 mins) and hacking (hour) once a week. I'd say he is in light work considering he is competing every weekend. I wouldn't say he is unfit but he isn't as fit as he could be by a long chalk. We do about six - eight fun rides per year circa 10-12 miles and he is always full of running afterwards but totally knackered later that evening or the next evening.

 

[Britestar]

Try adding tiger oats to the mix. My little cob has tiger oats to give him zing, as does my TB.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Maybe blood liquid? They're changing coat and pushing through the summer coat which can leave them very flat, I find. Haylage instead of hay? Fittening him up should add some fizz.

 

[Holding]

Do you feed anything with it? I would be feeding a balancer plus oats, more or less depending on what work he's doing. I have also heard good things about Red Cell to give a bit of extra oomph. And one of my customers feeds Baileys Racehorse mix to her sluggish, prone to weight gain eventing pony, and is very happy with it.

 

[racingdemon]

Are you feeding an electrolyte?

If not, then I really would suggest you do, a lack of electrolytes has a significant impact on both performance & recovery, & if you aren't supplying enough for the work your horse is doing, their recovery is compromised which then impacts their next competition/harder training session,

You can add all the energy you like but if the electrolyte levels in the body are compromised, you won't see a benefit

Adding salt is a good starting point, and a salt/lo salt combo is a cheap homemade version suitable for light work

Some horses have a much greater need than others for electrolytes, sometimes related to their overall diet, as well as factors like age & health, feeding a high fibre diet helps the reserves of electrolytes in the Hind gut

 

[Tnavas]

Some horses never really fire up - we are going through that with a competition pony that just will not spark up.

First have a worm count and bloods done to check all is well.

Kibbled Maize is a fast release energy.

Try to get the horse super fit - the fitter they are the more energy they have.