What to feed a veteran good doer?

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horsesatemymoney

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as the title really- 28 years old, now on poor grass but a good doer- very light work and no chewing problems etc- can't decide between some specialist oldie grub like 16 plus or a generic feed balancer like top spec? Has just come off very good grass so wasn't having anything other than hay now on hayledge any advice gratefully received because my poor little brain is swamped with feed company recommendations! Thanks:D
 
I have a 25 yo very good doer and I spoke to D&H a few years ago about changing her on to a "Veteran mix" and they said if she's doing well on what she's on - don't bother changing!

She gets Spillers Horse & Pony nuts with Dengie Hi-Fi Lite, garlic, Hardy hoof and a v & m supplement in the winter. She's fed hay, not haylage....but we grow our own and it's very good quality meadow hay.

If your horse is doing well, then I really wouldn't worry too much unless s/he drops condition or shows other signs of "getting old".
 
Thank you it's so hard to choose- I'm just worried that now there's nothing in the grass they'll be a shortage of vitamins etc- but then I don't want to fix what isn't broken (is that the expression!?) I was thinking of feeding a readymash and possibly a balancer to make sure that there is everything that's needed but not too sure if that's just needless! Argh!:D
 
If he's perfect maybe add a vitamin and mineral supplement ti his exsisting diet just to make sure he's getting everything?
Pink powders quite good.

My late 26yr old was in work and in fine fettle BUT he suffered from ERS so couldn't have the rich veteran feeds. He was fed leisure mix, HIFI and pink powder and that worked well for him.
I would keep him on the same for now but maybe add a supplement if you are worried. You can always keep an eye on him and change it if neccessary but if it ain't broke don't fix it! :)
 
My veteran good doer cob Sunny does brilliantly on Mollichaff Veteran, bulked out with as much Hi Fi Lite as he wants, cupful of Baileys Lo Cal, damped down with wet speedibeet. He's out on reasonable grazing from 2pm to 10am, semi-retired and in very light work due to severe pollen allergy. Glossy, happy, shining, looks more like 17 than 27. Sometimes behaves like 7, not 27!!! I love Mollichaff veteran - entirely chaff feed but packed with nettles and mint and loads of antioxidants. Makes me wish I was a horse as it smells gorgeous!
 
I definitely agree if its working then don't change it.
My 25 yr old TB is a very good doer and has to be on restricted grazing in the summer and soaked hay.
She just has Happy Hoof and Spiller Hi Fibre cubes
My mare has Cushings so I cant feed veteran feeds as they tend to be high in starch so watch out for that
 
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