What would you be feeding him?

[Sophie123]

I have a 15 year old throughbred that I ride approximatly 4/5 times a week. He was underweight when i got him and have built up his workload/feeding regime slowly.

He is getting one feed a day made up of 1 scoop of Alfa-Oli, one Sugar Beet, one large mix and a handfull of chop with added mollasas (sp) and the horses are getting a good amount of quality haylage twice a day (he is the boss so i know he is getting his fair share). Despite this i find it difficult to build up his topline and keep weight on him. He is out 24/7 but not alot of grass!

We mainly hack (although do sometime have the old schooling session to vary things) - 2 slower rides a week (approx 1 1/2 hours) and 2/3 faster rides and is fit (could go for miles) but i get the feeling that he lacks energy sometimes (he can be very lazy and takes alot to get going, but once he has had a blast is fine) so was thinking of changing his feed to include something 'heating' ? also something to build his topline up?

What would you guys suggest giving him?

Thanks, Sophie

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

I'd add some micronised barley to his feed. Won't hot him up but will help with condition.

I used to give my old TB non molassed chaf, speedibeet, D & H Leisure mix and micronised barley twice a day. He was awful at keeping on weight and went crackers if given molasses or sugar - this mix worked for him.

He was out at grass daily with ad lib hay too.

 

[Cat&Mouse]

I would not be looking at adding anything else to his feed, he won't be able to digest anymore in one go & it will not be anywhere near a balanced diet.

It is better for him to have two smaller meals per day, you don't say what mix you are feeding.

I have just started my TB on 2meals a day of Alpha plus a complete conditioning feed with alpha & mix balanced altogether with sugarbeet he is starting to put weight on & his energy level has improved.

 

[JenHunt]

you dont say what the mix you are using is, but I would suggest you try baileys endurance mix, or spiller slow release, or D&H stay power or A&P sustain...

these are all slow release, with plenty of oil. that would help to keep his energy levels up, and also help to keep condition on him

also, I wouldn't be increasing his feed size, but amybe tryin to feed him twice a day

 

[Jenni_]

surely if its 'topline,' you want, and he is at a healthy weight, you should be looking at how you are working him?

getting him working from behind and on the bit, teaching himself to hold himself correctly will make him use the muscles in his neck, and he will start to form a topline?

correct eme if im wrong though?

 

[schneeko]

surely if its 'topline,' you want, and he is at a healthy weight, you should be looking at how you are working him?

getting him working from behind and on the bit, teaching himself to hold himself correctly will make him use the muscles in his neck, and he will start to form a topline?

I agree

though with mine i've found bailey's No. 4 topline cubes have helped to support his muscle development

 

[Sophie123]

Its Badminton horse feeds - Park Herbal Mix that he gets.

His topline has improved loads since I have had him but cant seem to keep it! I try and do 20 mins of 'proper work' when hacking

Whenever he drops any weight it is noticable from this area.

I am mainly wanting something to give him a bit more spark?

He will be moving fields this week so will be getting more grass - will still give him a hard feed (reduced amount) but no haylage as the grazing isnt the best.

 

[Jenni_]

surely you would need to do a lot more than 20 minutes though?

my thoroughbred gets ridden 5 times a week, schooled maybe 1 /2 times if you are lucky, but i prefer to hack as i think you can school equally well on a hack!

i tend to always ride him correctly when im out, on the bit, really make him work from behind, do some leg yielding / shoulder in on very quiet / closed roads? make him walk out, up hills,

i obviously give him breaks though... not a slave driver lol!

if he has never had topline, then it will take a while to build, but once he has got it, and say he loses it over winter, it shouldnt take long to build back up due to 'muscle memory,'


but maybe look at some food containing good amount of protein to aid muscle development, and to also maintain it? Beans, Peas etc that you normally find in Mixes are good?