Vitamins, oils and feed for energy?

[Haffy Lover]

Can anyone suggest a good vitamin supplement for OAPs? I have an 18 year old Haflinger that I would like to start giving an all-round vitamin supplement to, been recommended Benevit but it's quite expensive, also Super Solvitax for joints etc. Don't begrudge the money at all, my Haffy's worth every penny, I've just heard there's cheaper alternatives about that have exactly the same ingredients. Any suggestions gratefully received. Also any suggestions what I can feed him to give him extra energy without extra calories, he's currently on happy hoof but could do with pepping up a bit. Thanks.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I find that Feedmark have good offers every so often, have a look at the catalogue then wait for on offer (they will email you if you want). Also telephone advice is excellent.
I have just bought a bag of seaweed meal for my boy from the local shop, as I am going to go barefoot, when making comparisons, I tend to do the maths on how much per 100 days at recommended rate, I also have a years supply of Extraflex and Glucosamine from Feedmark at the moment, one was a freebie and one was an offer.
For an oldie I think you could either look at making up you own feed based on Sugar beet for fibre, molassed is fine if he is not hyper type, but you need to balance it, I prefer unmolassed sugar beet and add add mins and vits. The Benefit Advance really makes a difference, so I can recommend it.
It works out a bit cheaper that eg Allen and Page Veteran, but obviously it is a bit more complex and may not be worth the hassle for one horse, you know that the feed is balanced when you buy a premium branded feed. I adjust the amount I feed according to work and condition.
I have fed cheaper pony cubes, but find that he loses a bit of shine after about two weeks.
at the moment you are only feeding a bit of chaff, but in winter you may need to supplement, as you say, me, I would prefer to feed a good feed based on fibre, which is why I use A and P.
I also feed a premium Chaff from Dengie, in winter I use Alfa oil, not much though, so it lasts a while. A lot of chaff is not great value, so I feel that with the alfalfa I am feeding a bit of variety and the oil gives a nice skin also some slow release energy.
In summer, assuming he is out at grass and looks fine, then I would only feed additives if any symptoms or minor worries, but in winter I would feed from September onwards, making sure he does not lose condition before the winter really sets in.
Glucosamine is fine as a general joint supplement, but if he is showing signs of stiffness then I would go for a more complex additive.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

flaxeed oil
soya oil

baileys outshine for energy
phase 3 slow released energy
propell plus
or red cell all above give energy


For the haflinger


if you want expert help phone equimins speek to David they make all there own stuff will help you no end.

http://www.equimins.co.uk/



i like their stuff the only other i trust for multi vit is equivite
the best joint stuff is flexi joint from equimins turned my arthritic 23 year old mare into a 4 year old