What to feed a veteran?

O

oinkmoooink

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 March 2008
Messages
353
Visit site
My section B is 19 now, and though hes all sound, perhaps getting a little stiff in his back- having charopractor out soon as possible, he drops weight quite easily.
He's on a big scoop of pasture mix morning and night (i think) at the livery yard, with hay at night and out in the day, we doubled his feed because he was losing weight and he's filling up quite nicely, i havent been to see him since saturday cause i've been ill, but am hopefully gonna be well enough to drive him tomorrow, but im assuming he looks much the same.
The problem is, as soon as you start working him properly the weight drops off, he's got quite good muscle but needs more in most places, but he doesnt seem to store too much fat. He's going to be in full competition work, being worked 6 days a week when possible, and twice a day at weekends when i can, wich i don't doubt he can do, he certainly doesnt act old, he looks closer to 13/14 most of the time.
But there is a possibility of him going abroad, so i want him a bit fat as well, but with more food he seems to be showing some signs of getting laminitus.
Its a bit of a dilemma, cause he needs more weight, but as soon as he gets it, his feet go hot ( usally my sign for taking them off the grass completly and then just a few hours a day, but cantdo that at the livery yard really, he has a stable, but they all get put out and brought in at the same time) and then you work him and the weight drops off.
I've never had a veteran before, can anyone recommend feed or supplements which might be good for him, and mabye prevent him getting laminitus? Our vet says the best thing to do with them is have them in 24hours, but welshies weren't really made for that, and then he doenst get a chance to stretch his legs, at home it will be easier to monitor his eating...but he isnt at home
None of mine have ever had laminitus while ive owned them, even our minis, but my section d came close at the livery yard last year so im trying to be careful
sorry im going bit off topic-
feed for a 19year old pony in full work- driving/riding who shows risk of getting laminuts with too much food, but give him any less loses the weight, get the weight on him, it drops off...

Also do you tihnk extra rugs would help keep his wieght? I dont want to molly coddle him, be wears a middleweight turnout in and out, and at night i sometimes put an underrug underneath, he's only got a low trace clip though so plenty of hair, oh and he has a neckcover as well
 
I have no experience of welshies but as a general thing I have found TopSpec senior feed balancer really good. It keeps the weight on and has added glucosamine so helps with the stiffness too.

It is pricey but you only have to feed a small amount and you don't have to feed a separate joint supplement.
 
Thankyou, can they go straight onto it, or would i need to slowly bring it into the mix?
Does anyone know of some good baileys stuff? If i get on the British team, their providing free feed, so would probably be useful if he was on that
 
i've just had an email back from baileys about what to fed my old boy (34) and they have recommended(sp) no 4 top line conditioning cubes, if i was you i would email them as i have them really helpful
 
You have to introduce the balancer in small amounts but I found it made an instant difference even in the loading period since it helps them utilise the other feed better.
 
I feed my 19yr old TB speedibeet, and a few handfuls of D & H Sixteen plus mix.
Speedibeet would be a good feed for your boy, as it is approved for laminitics by the Laminitis Trust (I think). You can feed lots of it, as it is considered a forage, mine like it and do well on it.
S
grin.gif
 
If he has a tendency towards laminitis then you want to avoid any mixes and concentrate on fibre and oil, rather than cereals.

Laminitis Trust approved foods include Spiller's Happy Hoof, Spiller's High Fibre Cubes, Speedibeet, Dengie Alfa Beet, Dengie HiFi Lite, Dengie Alfa A Lite. Other manufacturers also produce lami-safe feeds.

I would make sure the pony is getting adlib hay (which means there should be alittle left in the morning) and then the maximum amount of one of the above feeds (contact manufacturer's helpline for quantity recommendations). If that is still not enough, then consider adding some oil to the diet to boost calorie levels without feeding cereals. I would try and give three feeds a day, rather than two as well.

Also, do get his teeth checked - veterans often have dental problems which can slow down their hay consumption. Lots of hay is one of the safest ways to get the weight on them so you want to make sure that his teeth are good enough to eat it all!
 
Thanks, his teeth were done just before we got him, he ahs a hook tooth, but it shouldnt cause him troubleeating aparently, he does take his time though bless him. He does have hay left, but hdefinatly doesnt have as much as he does at hime, and its in a manger where he cant reach all of it and the pony next door nicks it,
I will see what they have up at the yard, im just a bit worried they will suddenly change his feed, rather than gradually
He's only had laminuts once in his life, over 5 years ago, but im being extra careful, we add corn oil to his eveing feed, which seems to help quite alot
thankyou everyone
 
Mine do very well on Spillers Senior Conditioning Mix - they do a Senior Maintenance Mix as well -with barley rings with linseed, Readigrass and chaff and garlic and they are 24,25 and about 30 and still sound and run round like lunatics. The oldest one gets Benevit as well. Since I moved, I can't get the conditioning mix, so changed feeds and they have definitely dropped condition, so must look round for a supplier. They are out in all weathers on rough pasture with rugs on and in at night in the winter. They get hay at night and in the day as well if particularly horrible weather or no grass. Teeth are really important.
 
not sure whether laminitis is ok with this but my 28 year old who is still going strong drops weight very easily, I feed him morning and evening with a scoop of allen & page weight gain, its wonderful, weight on within a couple of weeks! He hgas been hunted this season reguarly and never looked better on it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top