What works best feed wise for older ponies..?

[oliviacharley]

ok so im a bit stuck really with what to do....this seems to change every year and Im wondering what is best...?
Ive got an old 30yr old pony who is having problems keeping weight on...each year I change habits or she does well with them and then goes down hill again.
She is fine about chewing on hay, and doesnt have a problem with her hard feed. I wet it down slightly to help her out. Haylage is too rich and makes her very soar behind.
The only problem is she is very wet/loose at the back....
She is reg wormed and her teeth have no problems.
I also want to know if I feed her 16+ hard feed, hi-fi senior, baileys digest, cod-liver oil, and garlic powder do I need to give her any extra vits and mins supplement...?
Any one with older ponies please let me know what you are feeding them and what works best

 

[Shantor1]

Hi there

A couple of years ago my elderly cob gelding could not keep weight on and was having spasmodic colic. Following discussion with my vet and a nutritionist I now feed him: 1 large scoop Dengie Good Do-er, ½ large scoop soaked Speedi-beet, 2 small scoops of Dodson and Horrell Leisure Mix and ¼ measure of Codlivine supplement per feed twice a day in the spring and summer and 3 times daily in winter. He cannot chew much haylage so needs to have chaff and speedibeet to make up fibre part of his diet.

He went through a period of being loose so I put him on Equine America probiotic which stopped the scouring and picked him up. So far he has not relapsed.

I would advise ringing the nutritionist helpline of your feed brand that you are thinking of using as they are qualified to give specific advice. They should be able to recommend a product that is suitable for your horse. Remember to introduce new feeds slowly over a week or more so your horse's digestive system is not upset.

All the best with your boy.

 

[debradley]

Hi there had a really old pony (37) used to give her 2lbs Badminton Veteran Mix plus 1lb Speedi Beet well soaked a day half a cup of veg oil plus garlic twice a day. Also I found a magic thing call Leigh Senior which was a very fine chop not too rich which I fed her adlib. That way although she could cope with eating hay her system could no longer digest it well which stoppped her from holding weight. This stuff was brillant and she absolutley loved it held her for 3 years, I think if I hadn't have found the Leigh Senior I wouldn't have managed to maintain her for as long as I did.

 

[oliviacharley]

thanks guys - I found your comments extremely useful :0)

 

[eekmon]

Mine is 30 TB X Polish Arab still hacked 4-5 times a week. Not the best at keeping his weight in winter and is fed.....

16 + cubes
Veteran chaff
TopSpec balancer
Sugarbeet
Cider vinegar
Soya oil

He does ok on this in winter.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Pink powder may help the unsettled stomach, i have heard much good stuff about this product

 

[Chex]

Chex is a fatty, so don't feed him much, but the other oldie on the yard did well on Alpha-A oil, 16+, barley and sugarbeet. The 16+ has vit and mins (I think), so guess it depends if you're feeding the recommended amount.

 

[ThomasTank]

My two oldies (29 and 30 ) have
1 scoop oats
1 scoop alfa a
i scoop bran
1 good dollop of cooked linseed
and carrots
Twice a day.

I have found this the best for them and the cheapest.
It keeps them nice and warm and content

I also know exactly what I am feeding them this way .

 

[fuzzyp]

Horsefair Bricks, they are fantastic, can be fed dry or damp but i reccomend feeding them soaked into a mash perhaps with some hi fi or conditioning cubes on top. Works for all of our golden oldies!