Feeding recommendations again ;)

[Skyhuntress]

Now that I'm going to be on acreage, I find that I want to learn a bit more about feeding; instead of just blindly assuming my horse's are getting what they need nutritionally.

I've gotten plenty of advice (and books) but I thought I'd throw it out here and see what people came up with.

I have a 9 year old 17.2hh Trakehner gelding, around 1400lbs who is ridden lightly about 3-4 times a week. He has joint trouble, and is currently on glucosamine for his arthritis, and gets fed 3x a day, 3 flakes at a time. A scoop of complete feed and a scoop of alfalfa cubes (which he doesn't love all that much)

Arion, is my 18 month old foal who gets around 8 flakes of hay a day (because he's a piggy in a round bale). He gets a scoop of vitamins, but is on no constant grain or mash.

Limerick is my Irish Sport Horse, who is ridden about 5-6 times a week and needs to be in competition shape. He puts on weight really quickly, but he also loses it really quickly, so he needs a really balanced diet. Currently, he is only on hay.

So I'm looking for a mash that can be used for all horses (I don't particularily like bran) and a feeding plan for all 3-suggestions?

[Jessey]

Alfalfa will be a really good basis for all 3, as it is high in Calcium its great for growing bones and it also has a fairly high energy content but is a slow release energy source so should help to maintain weight without too much fizz (and also gives good constant growth) you could then top that up with complete mix or add oil for the extra energy and some vits and minerals.

You can soak you alfa pellets to make a nice warm mash then adding 1/2-2 cups of veggie oil depending on how much extra energy they need plus any vitamins and minerals depending on whats required in your area should fit the bill.

J x