When to start feeding supplements - is prevention better than cure?

[zeuscleoharmony]

I have a 16.2hh ID x Cob, 7 years, lives out 24/7/365 and is an extremely good doer. He lives on grass in the summer and in the winter gets one feed per day consisting of Dengie Hi-Fi, D&H Pasture Mix or Spillers Cool Mix, Speedibeat and carrots, pears, apples. He has ad lib hay also. He has no additional supplements.

He is never, (touching wood), ill or lame and passes his vet checks with flying colours.

Do I carry on as I am, after all he is healthy and happy or should I prepare for the future by giving him any supplements? Any advice, please.

 

[FabioFrench]

If he is fine, why suppliment. Only suppliment when the horse is in need, otherwise you are just wasting your money. He will get all he needs from grass and hedgerow suring the summer and your winter feed sounds fine.
I take it its Archie - he looks like a happy chappy.
Keep going, its obviously working. He'll let you know if he needs anything.

 

[flyingfeet]

Supplements are a good idea if:

- Grazing is restricted
- You are not feeding recommended levels of feed
- Your horse is in hard work

Otherwise sounds like a mineral lick would be more than adequate for yours.

Supplement companies do prey on worried owners, and who cannot admit wanting the best for their horse. However just like supplements for humans, most of it goes straight down the drain if you have a healthy balanced diet.

 

[Fransurrey]

I agree, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. Sounds like he's a happy chappy, as Fabio French puts it! I only feed Bailey's Lo Cal to my exmoor, because he's in a pen with soaked hay. If he were out in the field (with mixed hedgerows and meadow grass) he'd get zilch!

 

[Boysy]

The only supplement that i do like to give to mine is VetVits Equiflex to support their joints. I do a lot of roadwork and a fair bit of jumping and fast work and so i feel i need to put something back in.

I also take a similar supplement myself - LOL