Tempting fibre sources?

[Violet555]

Have a very ulcer prone TB who has access to haylage all day long and is a good eater, however when I come in and ride him first thing in the morning he usually hasn’t had a lot of his hay net. I always offer him alfalfa or chaff (both he eats with a concentrated feed no problem) however he point blank won’t eat it.

I think he knows he’s going to be ridden and doesn’t want to eat!

I am wondering if there are any sources of fibre to buffer his tummy prior to riding that are tempting for him? Would soaked grass nuts do similar to alfalfa?

 

[planete]

My pony cannot have chaff because of diastemas. I give him a small feed of soaked speedibeet and grass nuts.

 

[SEL]

Sainfoin chaff from Simple Systems

 

[rextherobber]

Another vote for Simple Systems , soak their Sainfoin and/ or Haycare. Both very palatable. If he's not eating much when stabled overnight, can he not live out? I have one the same, shes a different horse living out full time . ( I appreciate this can be tricky if you're on a livery yard, but I moved in order to do thus, and it was so worth it)

 

[ihatework]

Would be worth offering him hay overnight in addition to Haylage and also maybe a trug of one of the soft grass chaffs to pick on.

 

[TheMule]

If he can’t live out overnight then can you hand graze for a few minutes before riding?

 

[kerrieberry2]

I feed mine thunderbrooks haycobs and meadow nuts! both made from 50+ varieties of hay. haycobs also work well as treats. both have nothing else added, so are great for horses prone to ulcers

 

[anglo]

Haycare or thunderbrooks

 

[HopOnTrot]

Meadow cobs, I think they’re Baileys but they smell amazing and my two love them. But they’re fat ponies so love most things

 

[Widgeon]

Mine like Dengie Meadowgrass with herbs & oil - it smells really minty. It is just a regular chaff but it's soft and smells so nice. Maybe worth trying to get a sample.

 

[rara007]

Mines a fan of the performance fibre by dengie for just before tacking up time.
I also offer hay plus haylage overnight.

 

[Hallo2012]

my TB prefers rattley nut type things before work, so any kind of fibre cube that can be fed dry is fine.