What nutrient levels are most important in feeds ?

[Stormin]

I feed my horses Spillers horse feeds.
I recently had to change from Happy Chaff (which is discontinued ?!) to Conditioning fibre (they hadn't received the cool fibre when I went).

BUT I notice that the conditioning fibre has more protein than the cool mix !! though obviously more fibre too.

Between oil, fibre, protein, starch (and the rest) which can be fed without too much problem and which should be reduced ?
I know sugar (molassed feed) should be avoided where possible.

Can I eventually feed cool fibre by itself in summer (for garlic supplements and vitamins) ?

[puzzles]

Always look for feeds as high in fibre as possible for that specific horse: generally, the higher the better ('high fibre' cubes/mixes contain around 18-20% fibre, chaffs 30-45%).
More protein is only needed for horses in hard work, needing to develop topline and muscle tone, and young horses (older horses find protein in particular difficult to digest as their digestive system is weaker and less efficient due to a chronic worm burden and digestion damage).
Oil - alongside fibre - is one of the best sources of energy as it is slow-release (so as not to exaggerate a horse's natural temperament) yet contains 2 1/4 times the energy found in traditional cubes and mixes, so is useful for horses in medium-hard work, those needing although those in hard work would benefit from much more.
Starch in the diet should be kept to an absolute minimum. The digestive process where it is broken down into simple sugarsoccurs evry rapidly, releasing lots of sugar into the bloodstream which is known to contribute towards excitability and too much energy in the horse. Mixes tend to contaion more starch and less fibre compared to cubes, so if you have an excitable horse it would be best to stick to cubes out of the two. However if you are looking for a bit more 'sparkle', say for a lazy horse or if he is in harder work, then a mix may suti better.

The Conditioning Fibre will contain more protein simply because it is designed to do just that - condition. Since protein is the building block for healthy muscles Conditioning Fibre is designed to help gain topline and aid horses in hard work.

What feed you give your horse depends on his temperament, workload, age, breed/type etc ... is he a good or poor doer?

I hope this has helped.

:-)

x

[heartofrainbow]

Fibre is the most important!

But the rest depends on your horse!

I would never feed my pony anything with a high starch content as she has had lammi!

Whereas if you wanted good condition then oils would be a good bet!

[Stormin]

Thanks for the advice !

One is a QH, 9 yrs old, other is a 3 yr ols arab. Both appear to be good doers.
Both out during the day and in at night.
I'm already reducing (winter) feeds as grass is slowly making a comeback and boys will soon be out of their winter paddock.

I was thinking of replacing cool mix for horse and pony cubes (can't get HDF cubes here unfortunately :mad: ) but given the nutrient levels in the cool fibre, was thinking this should be enough. At least to "tick over" with.
Maybe even get the Happy Hoof in instead ?
It's a shame that they've added alfalfa to everything, I was better off without ... (but Spillers is the only chaff I can find out here)

I admit, the summer handfull of feed is really token when they come in and is also for mixing in supplements.

[heartofrainbow]

I feed my girl on happy hoof and it suits her fine!

Good thing about it is you don't have to add anything too it!

You could try a balancer, as you only need small quantities but they provide loads of nutrients!

[puzzles]

You could try a balancer, as you only need small quantities but they provide loads of nutrients!

Ditto :)

A balancer is useful as, although initial expensive, it is fed in very small quantities (typically 100g/100kg bodyweight) so lasts a long time.
A balancer will provide your horses a balanced diet with everything they need for optinum health and performance, without unnecessary enerrgy (being fed in such small volumes).
Alternatively you can feed a broad spectrum vitamin & mineral supplement, the only difference between oneof these and a balancer being that balancers care protein-based (though not necessarily high in the nutrient).
Either can be mixed in with a handful of low energy chaff, if you wish.
I recommend Baileys Lo-Cal, Blue Chip Original/Lami-Light (balancers) or Global Herbs Globalvite, NAF Pink Powder (supplements).

http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/general/no14.htm
http://www.bluechipfeed.com/products/original/original_home.htm
http://www.bluechipfeed.com/products/lami/lami_home.htm
(...if they help)

:-)

x

[Stormin]

Thanks ever so much for all of your help.
Just need to find a stockist "in the area" (have an hour's drive to find Spillers .... :o )

[puzzles]

Hehe, good luck with that then! :-)

x

[Stormin]

Just a little update :
Had to get some feed in today - found spillers cool chaff and replaced cool mix for "HDF complete horse cubes".
Bit annoyed at Spillers coz their "other-side-of-the-channel" selection of feed is somewhat reduced to UK availability, PLUS they're changing all the names of their products but the internet site isn't up to date :mad:

When I've finished the benevit supplement, will look into feed balancers, or is it a good idea to continue benevit ?
I give Benevit in winter when there's less grass (when I start hay) and generally run out when the spring grass starts to come through.

[puzzles]

Benevit is fine to give, it would actualyl be fine to continue with it if you wish and your horse does well on it. It is a real pain about Spillers right now - but keep a close eye on how your mare goes on the new feed ...

:-)

x