Skips11
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone!
I'm hoping to get some advice re feeding my 4yo mare. For some background; she is an ex racer and I've had her for 2 weeks. She is just starting some light work after 2.5 months turned away in a field 24/7, and came to me being fed Speedi Beet, Chaff and Lay Off Cubes. I have since switched the lay off cubes to Baileys Ease & Excel (gradually), but have continued the chaff and Speedi Beet so as not to change too much all at once.
She is stabled at night and has constant access to hay, and good grass when out during the day.
She could do with a tad more condition but nothing drastic and looks good considering not in proper work yet. She is very relaxed and is very amicable both ridden and to be around, and I'd like to keep her that way, so I'm not concerned about fizzing her up or calming her down.
She shows no symptoms of ulcers other than being ever so slightly grumpy about girth tightening, although I am aware how common they are in ex racers in particular, so this is something I am keeping in mind.
What would you be feeding her?
I've seen lots of rave reviews about pink mash, micronised linseed and various supplements such as slippery elm, yea sacc, peppermint, aloe vera etc for ulcer prone horses (I have no reason to believe she is other than being girthy, but maybe best to feed her as such just in case?)
There are so many different options and I'm not sure of the best route to go down, especially as she has no particular issues, but I would much rather prevent these things as much as possible from the get go!
P.s. She won't eat sloppy food and much prefers something to actually chew, so any kind of mash on its own is probably a no go!
P.p.s. Would you be scoping for ulcers based on mild girthiness alone? I've never had a horse with ulcers before so this is new territory.
Thank you in advance
I'm hoping to get some advice re feeding my 4yo mare. For some background; she is an ex racer and I've had her for 2 weeks. She is just starting some light work after 2.5 months turned away in a field 24/7, and came to me being fed Speedi Beet, Chaff and Lay Off Cubes. I have since switched the lay off cubes to Baileys Ease & Excel (gradually), but have continued the chaff and Speedi Beet so as not to change too much all at once.
She is stabled at night and has constant access to hay, and good grass when out during the day.
She could do with a tad more condition but nothing drastic and looks good considering not in proper work yet. She is very relaxed and is very amicable both ridden and to be around, and I'd like to keep her that way, so I'm not concerned about fizzing her up or calming her down.
She shows no symptoms of ulcers other than being ever so slightly grumpy about girth tightening, although I am aware how common they are in ex racers in particular, so this is something I am keeping in mind.
What would you be feeding her?
I've seen lots of rave reviews about pink mash, micronised linseed and various supplements such as slippery elm, yea sacc, peppermint, aloe vera etc for ulcer prone horses (I have no reason to believe she is other than being girthy, but maybe best to feed her as such just in case?)
There are so many different options and I'm not sure of the best route to go down, especially as she has no particular issues, but I would much rather prevent these things as much as possible from the get go!
P.s. She won't eat sloppy food and much prefers something to actually chew, so any kind of mash on its own is probably a no go!
P.p.s. Would you be scoping for ulcers based on mild girthiness alone? I've never had a horse with ulcers before so this is new territory.
Thank you in advance
