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| Horse Health and Nutrition Discuss topics related to the health of horses and advice on how to help treat health problems and issues including horse nutrition. |
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
sugarbeat is a great base for feeding as it is a good source of fibre and slow release energy so is good for all horses - the problem with it for some horses is that it usually comes mollased - sugar is quick release energy and is what will "hot up" some horses - but manufacturers such as simple systems feeds do make it unmollased. it is also high in calcium so good to feed alongside strights such as barely or oats which are high in phosphorus to balance these minerals out to the correct ratio. i like to use alpha a and sugerbeat as a base to all my feeding - alpha a may be an idea for a horse that doesnt keep weight on as although it is a good fibre source it is also high in lysine - this is a limiting amino acid - which means no matter how much of all the other amino acids you feed - the body can only absorb up to the amount of lysine it gets so if there is not enough lysine in the diet your horse could be missing out on all the vital protein building blocks - which could explain why it doesnt put weight on well. also a pre or probiotic supplement may also help - i know they are expensive but blue chip/equilibra etc are good for poor doers - worked for my scrawny tb i bought. also feeding barley is great for weight gain but caution as it is also heating and some horses are intollerant to it and get skin probs or gut probs.
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
i used to feed my tb with pasture mix and chop (shed loads of chop lol)... and carrots etc - he had a huge breakfast/tea and loads of haylege throught the day as well as out all day too
he never put as much weight on as i would have liked for 2 years, only in the final month of him being here he started to shine ![]() |
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I personally only use speedy beat in the winter, little extra warmth but I dont rely on it to put weight on my horse.
I have a 16.2 TB and she has done well this winter, although a little ribby but with no grazing and a winter as bad as we have had is what to be expected really. I personally just like the more natural feeds, i.e. Chaff! I put my mare on 3 scoops of chaff and a scoop of pasture mix with some carrots and this seems to be putting the weight on nicely albeit slowly, but I would rather her put it on at her own pace! as long as she is healthy that is my biggest concern. I do want to add something to her feed for her condition, Is there anything anyone could suggest? Thanks! ![]() |
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
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There isn't much natural about most chaffs!! They are smoothered in mollasses, unless you are feeding a light mix (which I doubt if you are trying to put weight on). I avoid chaff like the plague it's foul stuff! To bulk up my hard feed I use Northen Crop Driers Graze-on it's dried grass with no sticky extra's added, the horses love it and it's great to help put on some weight. ![]() |
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
Over winter, outdoor horses and ponies require up to 30% more energy (less if they are kept cosy and warm in a stable) in order to replace the energy lost through keeping warm and to compensate for poor grass quality.
So the main thing to remember is to increase energy density of the feed. There are many different ways of doing this, but try steering away from high starch and high sugar feeds, as these may lead to problems such as excitibility, laminitis, ulcers, digestive upset and much more. Adding oil to the feed ration is a brilliant way of increasing the energy content without causing the associated problems that you see from starch and sugars. Try to choose one that has a good omega 3 content. Linseed particularly, is a beneficial oil for horses. |
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
Speedi beet is sugar beet with no sugar in it! Sugar/speedi beet are very confusing unless you know enough about feeding. My 11yo TB has never had either, he's a nightmare in winter but he's rugged up well, clipped out and in hard work. His winter feed consists of: Baileys cooked cereal meal, Alfa A oil and 16 plus! With added biotin and crushed linseed. Currently this summer since he's been out he's not had any hard feed but we're fortunate enough to have very good grazing. He's not in work at the mo though |
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Re: Feeding horses that drop weight Easily
I dont know anyone who has their horse on the exact same feed as mine, every horse is different!
My mare is now on: 1 scoop of Allen & Page Calm & Condition, 1 scoop of Baileys No1, 1 scoop of chaff and a table spoon of sunflower oil, twice a day. This has done wonders but in my opinion wouldnt have made much difference without hay and grass! I believe they are the best thing for weight gain and you can feed either as much as you like! My horse has 3 bales of hay a week and she only hay hay at night time! The sunflower oil and Calm & Condition have helped her get her shine back in her coat and make her look alot healthier, While the Baileys No1 and chaff help with her weight. In the winter I will be adding Speedy Beet into her feed for extra warmth as it is heated. She also does 6 days a week excersize max 30mins per day, and has a full groom once a day. This together is doing wonders for her weight, her condition and she seems alot more alive and happier in herself! It has not hyped her up but turned her into a horse again as she was very down when I bought her. This may not work for other people and some people may think this is the wrong way of doing things but it works for me and my horse! |
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