What feed? A little more energy...

[mu0ljk]

I wonder if you could help me? I want to add a bit of oomph and it has been suggested that I add some more energy to his feed.

He is a pretty good doer and he just has hifi original at the mo.

So...question is, what do I try? Would either of these do or would oats be any good? What is it that I need to be looking for?


http://www.dengie.com/pages/products/fibremix-range/fibremix-extra.php
http://www.allenandpage.com/products/8.shtml


DYlan is fine health wise and is in good condition,

Thank you!

[Pink's lady]

If he's just a bit lazy by nature you could stuff him full of oats and all that will happen is he gets fat:o

Have you tried him on alfafa? That sometimes makes horses fizzy, if that's what you want.

Do bear in mind that if he gets higher energy food he'll then get fat and that will make his LESS forward going!

[mu0ljk]

Well, his old owner came over and agredd he was being rather lazy and said that she used to feed him higher energy feed (although annoyingly she was a bit vague as to what exaclty she fed him!).

He is pretty normal weightwise which makes a change - not inclined to putting on too much weight - but then he is a cribber.

I am finding that during lessons and during schooling that I am doing more work than I should be really - something which both my instructor and his old owner have commented on as well.

So, although I don't want him frothing at the mouth with mad rolling eyes - a little more energy from his part would be much apreciated! ;)

[Yann]

I'd personally try adding some Alfalfa, and or some Speedibeet. He may not be getting quite enough given the time of year and it should help perk him up without putting too much weight on him. I'd also make sure if you don't already that he's getting some sort of broad spectrum vitamin supplement to make sure he has all he needs there too.

[mu0ljk]

Would the NAF general purpose balancer be ok?
http://www.naf-uk.com/downloads/gensupplement.pdf

What is the differance (or rather what are the different effects) between the alfa-a original and the alfa-a oil? Is it just that the alfa a oil has basically even more energy?

[Pink's lady]

NAF general supplement is good stuff. Mine thinks it's wonderful - when they moved up home for a week I forgot to bring some chaff so fed them it straight - they both licked the bowl clean:o

Alfa-Oil is high in oil and has no mollases so it's great for no-fizzy weight gain, which is probably not what you want. Alfa-A is also high energy but it's got mollases in it. Alfafa itself can be rocket fuel for some horses, so trying Alfa-A would be a good idea. If he starts to put on weight you will just need to gallop him about a bit more;)

[mu0ljk]

Okidokey!

Right, I was thinking the alfa-a but not for the right reasons! :p I was thinking that the alfa oil would be too much energy! :o

I think then, I will probably try the alfa-a original and the naf supplement - should that be ok for winter or would I need anything else?

I used to feed Sidney hifi, economy mix with a bit of speedibeet.

and I guess if it makes him too fizzy I will just have to think again. :)

[Pink's lady]

Alfa-a and the supplement would be an excellent diet for winter - all fibre. I would add some sugarbeet too thought, cos it dampens it down and I like making it up:o

[mu0ljk]

I would add some sugarbeet too cos I like making it up:o

lol!! Oh well in that case speedibeet it is too!! :p:D

[Stencilbum]

Use high energy feeds with caution, and leave them off if you are going to give him a rest day the following day.

Our TB mare has tied up because we took bad advice and used high energy feed. Its not something I'd wish on anyone TBH :(

[puzzles]

Naturally lazy horses will never change temprement, but there are some things you can change about his diet that can 'spice' him up a bit...

1) Make sure he is receiving a balanced diet, and that you are feeding th recommnended levels of concentrates to provide him with all the vitamins and minerals he needs for a balanced diet. Horses often perk up when fed correctly with nutrients previously deficient in their diet, but if you are not willing to feed the recommended level of your horses compound feed for whatever reasons, then you can always add a balancer (i.e. Baileys Lo-Cal) to top up on nutrient levels.

2) Slow-release energy feeds will only be concerted into fat during digested, and he will ,most likely become even lazier as his waistline increases: therefore I recommend instead that you add a small amount of quick-release energy feed, such as Dengie Naked Oats, to encourage more 'sparkle'.
Introducing a small handgful at first, perhaps increasing it to two or so as and when needed - or phased in adn out before and after a competition - will not significantly unbalance the diet and should cause the reastion you want.

Good luck!

xx