feed advice please

[PatchyPony]

hi guys,

my thread about my new pony in main arena has digressed onto feeding so I thought Id better start a new one here:o:D

Ok, new ponio: 14.2hh lightweight irish cob mare. 6 years old. . Just brought over from ireland and needing general tlc, no muscle tone, looks skinny to me (vet describes condition as 'fair') and wormy belly. She has been wormed this week. Has proably never had a feed as such before.

So. I got her 3 days ago and the vet said t be honest she'd be ok just on hayledge.:rolleyes: Im keeping her in at nights though and the other liveries all get 2 feeds. So I asked around, and decided on the following. (have round scoop)

1/2scoop baileys conditioning cubes
1/2 scoop alfa-A
1/2 scoop sugar beet
50ml garlic oil

the yard only provide hayledge, not hay, so she gets a net of hayledge overnight.

................. 3 days in Im thinking, is this too much? Am I going to blow her brains???

Any thoughts? thanks

[poniesrule]

Hi, your new horse's diet sounds quite sensible, but i thought this may help, anyway!!! It's always a concern, especially with a horse that you dont know very well, that the feed might bring on fizzy behaviour!!. :confused:Therefore, it is 'safer' to increase condition through a diet based on high fibre, oil, and good quality protein (which will help muscle growth).

It's good that youve avoided the use of course mixes, as the cereals in these supply a quick release burst of energy, compared with the slower energy release in fibre and oil based feeds such as cubed feeds, unmollased sugar beet and chaff.

Aplha A Oil delivers oil and protein and fibre,and helps put on condition, so you could upgrade from the Alpha- original to this feed if you feel that she needs it.

I have had great success with Allen and Page's Calm and Condition. It's a pelleted feed that is barley and mollasses free-so decreased risk of fizz.

Alternatively, you could try feeding a balancer like Top Spec, Blue Chip, etc.These ensure that quality protein and vits are fed in correct balance, but at very low intake.Then to increase calories, you could feed alongside the balancer, a high oil pelleted supplement such as Bailey's Outshine, this also will help her coat condition and shine, especially if she looks a bit dull at the moment. This avoids the need to feed high levels of conditioning feeds (which may = fizz) but ensuring that a balanced ration is fed.

The haylage will help supply protein and fibre too so is good for horses requiring condition, although, due to the higher water content of haylage compared with hay, you do have to feed more of it to ensure the fibre needs of the horse are met.

Have you had any bloods taken? She may be a little off colour due to a metabolic imbalance, or it could just be the change of routine from being imported that has caused the lack of condition?

Hope this helps. Feedlines are really helpfull too!! Good luck with your new horse!! :)

[sarah76]

I personally would swap the cond cubes for calm and condion if you think she is underweight, its bril stuff and doesnt make them excited! Also have you thought about adding a general purpose vitamin and mineral sup to her feed?
And maybe 2 haynets at night to keep her goin thro the night:)
I havnt seen yr other thread yet, will have a look in a mo, good luck hope you have lots of fun together:D

[PatchyPony]

hi,

thank you for your answers. the conditioning cubes she is on are BaileysNo4topline - they say they are barley free and non-heating as well?

would the calm&condtion be that different?

[sarah76]

I have never really used baileys so I cant comment im afraid, but the calm and condition did wonders for a horse I had last winter, who was very thin when I got him.
Just see how you get on, you may find in a month or so she has put on a bit of weight and you can just give the alfa a and beet with vitamins or a balancer:)

[Pink's lady]

Sounds like a pretty perfect diet if weight gain is needed BUT, if the vet called her fair she's probably isn't a 'skinny' as you think - most horses (in fact, almost all) horses in the UK are over weight, some dangerously so, and fat horses have now become the 'normal' in peoples minds. When they then see a slim, fit horse they think it's emaciated.:eek: The likelyhood is your new horse is in good condition and feeding her will just make her fat. All she will need is more muscle, which requires work.

I would completely forget about any feed and give her just ad-lib haylage (as much as she can eat) and nothing else. Honestly, it will probably be more than enough. If she's starts loosing weight then you can give her hard feed.

[Santi]

I would second using Top Spec to add condition without weight. My horse was on grass and hay and wasn't thin but he was lame and not in work so didn't look very special, i started using top spec and he put on lots of muscle and got very shiny and everyone comments on how great he looks. I only feed half quantites now (two years on it) and still get the same effect from it so it's very good value.

If the horse is on haylage and Top Spec you'd be getting lots of protein and fibre and know there weren't any deficiencies in his diet. I think the forage with a balancer type diet is by far the easiest and most natural (?).
:)