Supplements? Balancers? Nothing at all? :/

[Suec04]

Hi All

My new mare is lovely 16hh heavy weight cob. She is a VERY good doer and is on restricted grazing to help her lose some weight. My question is, does she need/should she be having a balancer or supplement? she is 13 yrs old and lives out 24/7 atm and is being brought back into work slowly due to a recent muscle strain. Does she need anything due to her age or to protect her from future strains.......or should i just leave her be? I am def more of a 'prevention is better than cure' girl but equally don't want to give her anything just for the sake of it.

your advice will be most appreciated

 

[PorkChop]

I don't give supplements or balancers to my good doers, but it certainly won't hurt if you feel you need to. Also a supplement cannot prevent a future strain, if you get her fit and of a good weight this will be the best preventative.

 

[Suec04]

I don't give supplements or balancers to my good doers, but it certainly won't hurt if you feel you need to. Also a supplement cannot prevent a future strain, if you get her fit and of a good weight this will be the best preventative.

thanks LJR. Am definitely working on her weight and fitness
a lady at the yard recommended 'Pink Supplement?' but I wasn't sure if she needed anything extra....

 

[meesha]

thanks LJR. Am definitely working on her weight and fitness
a lady at the yard recommended 'Pink Supplement?' but I wasn't sure if she needed anything extra....

If on restricted grazing she is unlikely to be getting the vits/mins she needs. I use topspec lite which u can feed on its own but any balancer or vit/min powder (although u then need bit chaff to mix with) or at very least a mineral lick is a good idea.

 

[Suec04]

If on restricted grazing she is unlikely to be getting the vits/mins she needs. I use topspec lite which u can feed on its own but any balancer or vit/min powder (although u then need bit chaff to mix with) or at very least a mineral lick is a good idea.

ooh, hadn't thought about a mineral lick! that's a good idea. I might get her one of those. thank you

 

[Micky]

Wouldnt touch a lick as they tend to be full of sugar in one from or another...stick to a lite balancer if you want one, plenty of exercise and strip graze

 

[meesha]

The big block mineral licks (square, heavy to pick up, can be left in field) don't have any sugar in them as far as i know (they taste salty, had to try!) I wouldn't go for a molasses lick, especially with a grey horse as they get it everywhere and those are definitely full of sugar!

 

[samlf]

Have a look at something like pro hoof or pro balance on ebay, you can feed that just in a small carrier such as fast fibre, as if she's getting restricted grazing she will be missing out on some key minerals.

Avoid 'licks' as they are usually very high in sugar.

 

[Suec04]

thanks everyone. I am upping her exercise but taking it slowly to aid her recovery. she is also strip grazed. Will have a look at the lite balancers and the non-sugary licks

 

[soulfull]

I use spillers lite balancer for my good doers, its pellets so don't need anything else. everyone is always commenting on how good their coats look