topspec, outshine feed help

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brea2006

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my horse has strangles at the moment and has lost condition, from being in 24/7.

i want add something to his feed to boost his condition, for the up and coming show season,he has lost topline and shine, proboably due to the lack of work and no seeing sunlight for two months.

i tried adding linseed flakes to his happy hoof but he just leaves the feed if i put it in. i feed him on happy hoof as it's just a tick over feed, maintains his condition fairly well when on his normal routine- ie being worked 6 times a week and out in the day, in at night and haylage at night.

so i need something to add just for condition really- more shine than anything.
i have heard both good thing about micronised linseed, topspec and the outshine-
which one is best tho??

thank you
 
If your horse has strangles, I would have a word with your vet about what they recommend you feed him. Forget about the show season and his topline they are not important issues at the moment. You need to get him well again first.

The top spec balancer is a high protein mineral and vitamin supplement designed to provide all the mins and vits a horse needs. However they sell several varieties of it, call them and they will tell you what is relevant for a sick horse.
 
Hi I have just changed my horses diet to Top Spec Comp Balancer (500g per day) and Baileys Outshine (1 stubbs scoop per day) and Speedibeet (1 stubbs scoop - before soaking) - split between two feeds. I have tried lots of different combinations including Alfafa A Oil, Spillers, Baileys and D&H conditioning cubes as well as adding TopSpec Cool and Conditioning and adding linseed and oil to get weight on him. I specifically didnt want anything to hot him up as he is only ridden once a week. Nothing really worked for him especially as the levels of hard food recommended for a horse doing little work seemed ridicolous and expensive and he was really not enjoying it (took a long time, leaving it etc)

I was feeding lots of oil and linseed flakes but Outshine provides this now instead. At £38 a bag for TopSpec and £36 for Outshine it seems expensive but I am hoping it will last 4-5 weeks and may work out cheaper as not buying extra oil, linseed, chaff etc. It contains the highest calorie count and protein combination I could work out in the least volume of food with no cereals. I feed from 3 sacks rather than 4 and the 2 supplements. I also wanted biotin for feet and probiotics for good digestion and Top Spec Balancer provides this without adding yet more supplements.

I dont think you can go far wroing with TopSpec Balancer (if you can afford it) as it contains such a lot and you could feed it on its own if you wanted and then add other stuff i.e. sugarbeet as you need. I am hoping come Spring and my horses weight picks up with the grass I can just feed him the balancer with some Happy Hoof or something and feel satisified that he is getting everything he needs.

So far so good, he has a great shine, clear skin and seems well in himself and importantly enjoying his feed.

Oh and by the way, had teeth checked, he is well rugged, out 24/7 with ad lib haylage.

On the other hand, some people swear by Pink Powder as a good 30 day pick me up......
 
he should be having some kind of general vit&min supplement or balancer if he is not on standard recommended feed levels of a nut or mix. TopSpec is fab as high protein for recovery and all the vits&mins he needs. Outshine wont give him the vits&mins but is high in oil so good for condition. I feed both.
 
I recently got some Equi jewel for my new chap who was very run down and thin and the improvement is fantastic. He is putting weight on but not just on his belly like TB sometimes do and is mega shiney
 
Baileys outshine is a balancer/ conditioner to be feed as a compliment to feed, I feed 2 mugfuls a day morning and evening and add speediebeet, a few fibre cubes and hifi light one bag of outshine lasts me about 2 months so only costs about 58p per day She turned her nose up at it for a few days when I started feeding it, now she loves it, her condition is so good. I ran out the other day and with her workload I saw a very quick decrease in her condition without it, it really does work very well

http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/supplements/outshine.htm
 
[ QUOTE ]
If your horse has strangles, I would have a word with your vet about what they recommend you feed him. Forget about the show season and his topline they are not important issues at the moment. You need to get him well again first.

The top spec balancer is a high protein mineral and vitamin supplement designed to provide all the mins and vits a horse needs. However they sell several varieties of it, call them and they will tell you what is relevant for a sick horse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually vets are NOT nutritionists and diet has absolutely nothing to do with strangles. My own vet told me that they do 3 hours on nutrition, why would you expect him to advise on a recovery diet?

TBH the OP would be much better contacting the feed companies themselves regarding a diet as they are the people who have the knowledge in this instance, although imo TopSpec Comp is probably a good way to go, the other one to consider is Dengie Alfa Balancer, new but looks a good spec. You could feed either of these with Outshine for added calories.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If your horse has strangles, I would have a word with your vet about what they recommend you feed him. Forget about the show season and his topline they are not important issues at the moment. You need to get him well again first.

yeah i am getting him better that is why i am getting him endoscoped tommorow rather than just letting him carry it around and give it to anyone else.

he is not ill at all and has shown no signs and there fore has not needed to be nursed. and i think i am being wise to start to look at diets now so he can take time to adjust to the diet ready for the show season and be ready.

i think i am steering towards topspec rather than outshine for him now after reading from your experiences.
thanks
 
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