what to feed for energy minus the fizz?

[Firehorse]

hi all, i hve a tb riding pony type 13.3hh. he's 16 and lives out 24/7. i ride him 2-3 times a week, usually 1-2 hours hacking. sometimes do 3- 4hr rides, occasional lunging. always vary the routes, and sometimes school on hacks to keep him concentrating. other times, we jst hve a leisurely plod. he's semi-retired, having been pony clubbed before i had him.

he is fed a large scoop of happy hoof per day with a linseed/vit supplement. gets haylage dec-apr. the grazing is fairly good, but not the best. he does well all yr round, rugged in winter. i often put him in a smaller paddock by day where there is more grass available as he lives with 7 other very good doers!

he jst seems to be lacking a bit of oomph sometimes! last week he was raring to go for a gallop. this week he couldnt be bothered if he walked all the way! i find that in september when they go onto the winter grazing he gets fizzy and also when he has the haylage. he's all fit and healthy, been checked by vet recently. jst wanted advise on his feeding. is there a supplement or feed that will give him a bit more energy without making him go silly. he can be pretty hot headed when it suits him.ie, if we go somewhere new or to a show...i spent the first yr i had him being tanked off with. lol. of course, it may be that he has calmed down as we now hve a good bond and trust..but he has jst lost that bit of sparkle i like. any ideas please?

 

[Joss]

I would perhaps suggest starting him on a veteran mix or even just a basic leisure/pasture mix. There isnt many calories in his current diet, except the grass so dont go mad but he might just need a little extra now he is a bit older. I feed Dodson & Horrell food & recently rang their helpline to quiz them about a particular issue & they were mega helpful.

 

[Firehorse]

thx. i'm jst looking to see wht my supplier has. they hve dodson and horrell sixteen plus mix and cubes and also the usual pasture mixes. think i might try the sixteen plus. has anyone else used it before?

 

[Charem]

I ride a 6 yr old nf pony who can be a bit of a git at times (likes to pee off whilst schooling/hacking when he's decided he's had enough) but needed more energy for eventing. Owner was recommended Baileys Endurance mix and so far it's doing the job nicely. He's got more energy which is making the schooling/canter work easier and more enjoyable for him but it hasn't sent him loopy or made him fizzy. Plus it smells nice