Suggestions for sharpening a horse up

Gamebird

Gamebird

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Any ideas please for fizzing up a horse a bit please.

Huge (17.2ish) middleweight eventer, currently at Novice BE. 7yo, and still possibly growing a bit.

Currently eating Conditioning Mix (I think Baileys at the mo, but brand changes a bit depending on what feed store have in), sugar beet and ad lib hay/haylage (variable quality). A little on the round side for me at the mo, but quickly gets angular if allowed to get skinny. Have just upped him from one to two feeds a day.

Turned out 8am-6pm every day, not a huge amount of grass but ad lib haylage in field. He's keen to go out and keen to come back in at bedtime.

Possibly underworked at the moment but am going to increase work from now. Generally gets half an hour schooling/jumping with 15mins on the walker either side of that. Hacked once a week or so, usually including a good long uphill canter.

He's a little lacking spark in his flatwork, lacking a lot of spark SJing but fit enough and with plenty sparkle XC. Snaffle-mouthed in all phases. I'd like him to have a bit more buzz about him and I doubt that he'll end up over the top.

More work and more feed? Propell Plus? Something else?
 
Hack more, school less? I have one that goes a bit stale so he does 2 days in the school max and spends the rest of the week having a blast out hacking or jumping. Perhaps worth a try?
 
lex2501 said:
Hack more, school less? I have one that goes a bit stale so he does 2 days in the school max and spends the rest of the week having a blast out hacking or jumping. Perhaps worth a try?
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I'd have agreed, but he really does have a lot to work on in the school (polework etc.) and if I only go in once a week or so it might be 2014 before I get the improvements I want :rolleyes:.

He's a bit quiet SJing at shows - went BSJAing yesterday and definitely needed more oomph. Felt like I was kicking!

I might give him the odd trip (weekly or so) to the gallops or beach though and maybe work upsides another horse?? He did a lot on the beach in the winter when everything else was frozen so it's not a new concept.
 
Hmmm, tricky one then... I guess obvious place to start is altering diet but I'm afraid I'm not able to offer advice as I'm usually struggling to quieten mine down!
 
Up oil intake perhaps? Soya Oil for example, or add Alfa A oil, not keen on adding any extra sugary or startchy food, (i know my dressage trainer would say add rolled oats)
Or if its just a temporary lack of pizazz then perhaps red cell or propell plus?
 
probably a bit bored! have more hacking and variety-twice/three times a week hacking. walk to canter transitions useful. Wouldn't be that concerned if he enjoys other areas-is he schooled in school/field? Varying schooling area can help too.
 
If you are just wanting fizz from feed, then the two I have used successfully in the past are Microfeed and Race Cubes/Mix, and I tried everything. Also used to feed Propell daily.
 
ElleJS said:
Up oil intake perhaps? Soya Oil for example, or add Alfa A oil, not keen on adding any extra sugary or startchy food, (i know my dressage trainer would say add rolled oats)
Or if its just a temporary lack of pizazz then perhaps red cell or propell plus?
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Not a bad idea at all, and a cheap 'n' cheerful place to start. I'll get a bag of oats and a drum of oil tomorrow.
 
barley! the baileys conditioning mix is barley free (I know as that's why I buy it ;) ). obviously has different affects on different horses but barley most certainly 'sharpens' Fleur up just a bit too much when she is already pretty darn sharp :p
 
My big lazy warmblood is fine when in a lot in the winter, but once he starts going out a lot I have found Alfa A, Spillers competition mix, topspec balancer and naked oats ( amount altered according to need ie competition I up it) works very well. I did try Topspec Turbo which I know some people find works well. However my normally sensible horse become so sharp and spooky I stopped quick!!!
 
If it were mine i would prob talk to a nutritionist and if that didnt work perhpas a blood test as may be a bit anaemic??? Just another route to go down if exhausted everything else??
 
LJR said:
If you are just wanting fizz from feed, then the two I have used successfully in the past are Microfeed and Race Cubes/Mix, and I tried everything. Also used to feed Propell daily.
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Ditto this. I feed my warmblood dressage horse Microfeed and it really sharpens him up...
 
A trip to the gallops with a fast horse in front of you - excellent way to give that extra spark :) failing that try schooling in different places - you could just do polework in arena, lateral work and transitions on hacks and Lengthening in a field? :)
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
Gymkhana games! Works a treat on my lad.
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On something that is 17.2hh??????????? :eek:! I want to see that! :D
I dont know the products your feeding but my first option would be to look at adding or uping grain - as in a museli like feed, so a mix of oats, barely, corn, lupins etc (but not pelleted or processes beyond being crushed) that was being marketed for race-horses.

Other option is do 2 weeks of walking only by the end of it they are SO happy to go faster! :D
Possibly not a practical option though!
 
I used naf energ on my boy and it worked really well it's cheap too at £15 for 3 month supply so no real loss if it doesn't work I also feed alfa a oil, top line cubes and Sugabeet this seem to work for us. Otherwise when feeling a little flat I just hack out everyday for a week and when I go back in the school he is back to normal.
 
meardsall_millie said:
A big whip and pointy spurs? ;)
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Tick ;)

Baggybreeches said:
The trotting guys round here (the ones with funny accents ;) ) swear by tiger oats.
I would go with oats and oil first, but he could probably do with a bit of galloping once a fortnight.
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Shame you're not a bit closer - I'm sure that he and Sov would love a fortnightly galloping date! We could let them 'win' on alternate outings to keep their egos in check! :p
 
claire_p2001 said:
I used naf energ on my boy and it worked really well it's cheap too at £15 for 3 month supply so no real loss if it doesn't work I also feed alfa a oil, top line cubes and Sugabeet this seem to work for us. Otherwise when feeling a little flat I just hack out everyday for a week and when I go back in the school he is back to normal.
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I did wonder about the NAF stuff Claire, but I think I'll do the Propell first. I can't do everything at once or I won't know what's worked.
 
You've prob all thought of everything, but I'd add:
oil (if he'll eat it)
Alfa-A
Racehorse mix and/or naked oats, Tiger oats, or soaked whole oats.
Gallops 2x weekly if you can, to really sharpen up. Or a really sharp blast out hacking if you can, if gallops too far away etc.
Being mega-strict on him being totally in front of the leg.
This little lot worked for 1 of mine who was quite stuffy, and she never got silly on it.
 
My mare is so laid back she's half asleep, even pumped full of oats! I've had her on Soya Meal (soya protein based feed, kind of powdery granules) for a few months now and it's helped loads. It's not the easiest to get hold of but it's really worth it. Makes them super shiny too :)
 
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