suitable feed substitute for new horse help please!

tinap

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I hope someone can help!

We've had our new mare a week now. She came to us with a bag of this feed http://www.frickersformula.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=61

I can't buy this locally so am now trying to find something similar to swap her over to but I have no idea what!! I don't want her on anything that will fizz her up as we are just getting to know her.

The website isn't very helpful as to what is in this feed so this is what the label says.....

Oils & fats 3%
Protein 7.5%
Fibre 20%
Ash 7%
Moisture 13.8%

The label is then ripped where it was attached to the bag so can't see the content of sodium. It doesn't have a starch content on.

The composition is listed as....
Oat meal & oat by-product, wheatfeed, molasses, vitimin B (I think, label is ripped), sunflower ext, calcium carbonate, mono dicalcium phosphate, herbal mint garlic mix, sodium chloride, yea sacc yeast, magnesium oxide.

She's a 15.2/3 kwpn x rising 5 in good condition & in light work at the minute. She's on ad lib hay overnight & out in the winter paddock 9am-4pm which does still have a good covering of grass on. I'm only looking for a suitable substitute for now which I can then adjust as we get to know her & any long term needs.

I hope someone can help!! It's all double dutch to me ;) thanks :) Xx
 
Sorry can't suggest sub but how much of the old bag do you have left because any feed transitions should be managed over a week or two to be safe on colic etc. The current feed looks pretty low protein and higher in fibre so look for that sort of mix to keep her going in the same way. I would look at a maint / pasture mix if she is a good doer in light work.

Good luck I'm sure the more in the know folks will post soon.
 
Mightbe worth talking to your feed merchant quoting stats from the orig feed. Mine is in his 80's and really experienced he can suggest feeds based on management requirements and content etc.
 
Thanks :) I've found a local feed merchant who I've heard is very good so will try & get through there. Where I used to get the old ponys feed from was just a tack shop that do feed too so not sure if they will be the best informed to ask. I've had a quick look online the nearest I can find is A&P fast fibre
 
Have a look at Top spec Cool Nuts and a chaff. You may want to give some vitamins as well. Might be worth talking to one of the feed companies they are usually very good.
 
Hmmm. Oatfeed and wheatfeed right at the start of the list suggests big on starch. I would avoid. If you are going to change anyway, why not change her to a safe neutral feed like Fast Fibre which is basically straw and unmollassed sugarbeet and is very low starch. It must be soaked, but is great for adding supplements in. You can also add micronised linseed for extra condition if needed. A lot of people on here feed this way. Someone posted this useful link recently to a thread which details the composition of popular base feeds: http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/ftopic30-0-asc-0.php
Hope that helps.
 
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