What to feed prior to riding, for extra energy?

[LankyDoodle]

George is usually the opposite to the stereotypical cob, but as you'll all know, he's on a bit of a diet, and this is playing havoc with his energy levels in that, erm, he has NONE!

He was walking out at less than plod's pace today, and has been doing this pretty much since the start of his 'diet' regime. He gets 4-5 hours grazing in a small, eaten down paddock, wearing a muzzle, plus hay that has had the life soaked out of it, plus his formula4 feet ration (all this is is a supplement) mixed in with a bit of garlic (he gets that once a day and it's not for energy, it's for healthy feet!).

The farrier, who is complicit with me in his diet regime, mentioned giving oats before a ride, just to give a little burst, but I'm under the impression this is rather old fashioned, and wonder what I can give my good doer horse who DOES drop weight quite quickly in winter actually, but has become extra fat this year? He gets ridden every day, sometimes twice a day, plus lunging/schooling.

He is losing weight well and I am really pleased, but riding him is starting to become a) a bore and b) extremely hard work, which OK it was never easy but it's now gone the other way!! I rode out for 3 hours today and it felt like 12 hours!

Thank you muchly in advance!x

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

I still feed Barely or oats for extra energy the feed before needed ride. : )

I would call up some feed brands and ask the experts what they'd recomment, they're normaly really good and better then us as they know all the nutritional value of there feeds.

 

[Walder]

i agree - oats would be the best thing for your horse they are less fattening - start with little bit and ajust the amount to suit your horse.

 

[angiebaby]

I've just started to give my no energy cob Spillers instant release mix. They recommend it before riding as long as your horse is burning off the energy, they shouldn't put weight on.

Been on it four days now and it has made some difference.

 

[Angela_Jackson]

I would definately talk to a feed rep. Spillers do a couple of feeds like quick release energy mix, and cubes.

Thou thinking about it when i was over weight, it didnt matter what i ate i didnt have any get up and go either, you just get very lethargic, and even fatter.
I would be inclined to continue with what you are doing for a few more weeks, then talk to spillers.

 

[LankyDoodle]

Thank you to you all

I haven't been giving him any chaff and he's only been having 4-5 hours on a basically bare paddock and in a muzzle plus hay that's had the life soaked out of it. I have decided to reintroduce the hifi lite as it is slow release energy and is low calorie.

This is what his routine will now be:

First thing he will have half the recommended daily amount of hifi lite with half his ration of F4F and a sprinkle of garlic.
He will then get ridden for 1-1.5 hours during the week and 2-4 hours at weekends.
Then he goes out in the eaten down paddock with his muzzle for 4 or 5 hours.
Then he comes in and is either lunged or schooled or hacked again, or maybe not ridden again that day... just depends what my husband and I are up to that evening.
Then he will have the other half of his straights rations plus soaked hay overnight.

He is not that overweight anymore as he's done really well over the 3 weeks he's been on a serious regime. He was on an informal diet before that, but I've really clamped down since finishing my course etc. His crest is shrinking quickly and what is left is now very very soft, I can feel his ribs much much more easily. His bum is the sticking point and he does need muscling up, but I am pleased.

I was just concerned that I was not giving him the energy he needed to do the exercise because, like the last poster, I have struggled with my weight and also know that being overweight makes you lethargic, but also if I don't eat enough to keep me going I feel even worse as I get peaks and troughs in my blood sugar levels. He really was ploddier than I have known today, and has been like that for the last 2 weeks or so.

I will keep going for another few weeks like this so that I can get him to lose more, and then if things don't improve I will consider other feeds and oats etc. We are off to Cornwall in a week or so and we ride for hours every day so he's going to need plenty of energy then. I suppose I am also concerned that he will regain some/all of the weight or ultimately he will get laminitis and die like my mare

even though she didn't get it due to her weight.

Thank you.xx

 

[chunklovescooks]

Naked Oats!