Winter Feed Plan? Help

Jive Master

Jive Master

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 October 2014
Messages
129
Visit site
Hi Everyone

I bought a new horse this year and its his first winter with me. He is currently on 24/7 turnout, and I recently introduced a small amount of Chaff and hay when he comes in for a grooming session each day. He is a 16.2 OTTB and still has his racing conformation, only been retired 6 months, he as no top line and a sloping croup. He is recovering from a tendon injury, so is currently just being lunged/schooled for max of an hour every other day.

With regards to his winter feed I'm thinking a large hay net along with a 1kg mix of Mollichaff, Top Line Cubes, Mollassess and cut up carrot, Morning and Evening.

Can I have your opinions and suggestions please
 
Is he going to be stabled overnight? An hour of lunging is an awful lot?

Personally I'd either put him on a decent balancer, or some simple pony cubes. Chaff to me is a waste of money, such a little amount of topline cubes wont do much, and mollasess and carrots could well not agree with him if he's a senstive type.
 
I dont Lunge him constant for an hour its a mix of schooling, lunging, walking out in hand and not all at once could be throughout the day, its a treatment plan worked out with his vet/physiotherapist. He likes his carrots as I use them for treats but not sure about molasses so you could be right there.
How much top line cubes would he need to make a difference? He has the chaff just to mix things up so its not all hay and grass.
 
I've an exracer and he did better on the baileys endurance mix than the top line cubes. the endurance mix has outshine in it which suited him.
 
If you can get hold of it, I swear by Bluegrass Cool n Condition. They are an Irish feed company which I've had excellent results on my horses as well as my OH's ex-racehorse. Has not sent any of our horses loopy in the slightest and has promoted good top line and condition.
 
Always-Riding said:
If you can get hold of it, I swear by Bluegrass Cool n Condition. They are an Irish feed company which I've had excellent results on my horses as well as my OH's ex-racehorse. Has not sent any of our horses loopy in the slightest and has promoted good top line and condition.
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll see what I can find :)
 
Jive Master said:
Did that improve his top line at all? That is really my main aim throughout winter. did you add anything else with it?
Click to expand...

nope i just fed it straight, its a lovely mix.

coming up to a big show earlier last year i needed to put extra condition on him, so i used the endurance mix, coca soya oil and a bit of copra coolstance and he got in great shape quickly.
 
I'm unsure of why you would want to feed molasses as it is essentially a form of sugar with no nutrients? Plus, mollichaff, topline cubes and carrots I would estimate you'd be feeding as much as 30-40% sugar there. Defenitley not good for a TBs feet, brains or stomach (ulcers). My TB is on 1 scoop speedibeet (dry weight), 1 1/2 scoops rolled oats, 2 1/2 mugs micronised linseed and 3 small mugs of Topspec comprehensive balancer. She looks and feels fantastic on this and believe me, I've tried nearly every feed going over the past 2 years with her. I swear by the linseed from farmandpetplace.com it is my HG of feeds. Make sure hayalge is ad lib also, literally as much as you can stuff into them. Make sure he's warm enough too, mine is in a MW already and is *just* right. Too hot or too cold is not good.
 
Thats great I will bear this in mind when putting his diet together, have completely changed my ideas now anyway :/ The Molasses come recommended by my vet so as to use a low sugar blend as it does contain a lot of nutrients. He is restricted to two haynets a day or he will pig out, again vet recommendation. He is plenty warm enough in just a light turnout at the moment so no concern there. Thanks for your help :)
 
Agree you dont want a lot of molasses etc. I used to use top spec but worked out very expensive so use saracen now and my horse still looks fab. I personally use the essential balancer, re-leve and will use equijewel if I need to. All low in starch and sugars.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top