Simple Systems Feed

[tasha]

Just had a look on the website (thanks DavidH!) but although it gives info on the feeds etc it does not say what to give (unless I have missed that!!).

Kally is currently on 2 scoops Herbichop, 1/2 scoop Calm and Condition, 1/2 Old Faithful's Special Blend and oil and genereal vits and mins supplement. She's a TB type, poor do-er, but is up to weight and in light work. If I were to swap to SS, what should I give her?

Website: http://www.simplesystem.co.uk/index.asp

Also, does SS feed replace hay/haylage, or just if you want it to?

[amandal]

I emailed them with my horse's details, work load, medical problems etc and they very quickly replied with a feeding regime for her, and a price list. I hadn't thought it would replace hay, maybe I need to go back and reread the site.

[DavidH]

Certain feeds can replace hay if necessary but not normally.
I just gave them a ring, had a chat and went with their suggestions. They are really helpfull and happy for people to phone them.

[tasha]

Thanks. Think I might email them and find out!

[albilusitano]

Ok, I looked at the website...not sure on this....

You can work your horse straight after a feed Your horse can eat as soon as it returns from work, even if it is hot.

Wow if that's the case......but surely the horse has to be worked 1.5hrs after his dinner ?

[No_Angel]

im sure thats onyl if its fed hard feed.
as horses are grazers they can eat forage all day long.

[Jo F]

That theory about not working a recently fed horse is an old wives tale. Horses stomachs are firmly attached to their abdominal wall and excercise usually has no effect on it. What's more as has been said before, if we stick to feeding forage (what they are designed to eat) then it's only the same as riding a horse that is out at grass 24/7. I don't know of many owners who keep their horses as grass tying them up for 1.5 hrs before they ride them?

I got a reply from Simple Systems the same day and it all makes common sense to me, we've gone too far away from feeding what they are supposed to graze on.

[DavidH]

Ok, I looked at the website...not sure on this....

You can work your horse straight after a feed Your horse can eat as soon as it returns from work, even if it is hot.

Wow if that's the case......but surely the horse has to be worked 1.5hrs after his dinner ?

Yep you can but only if you feed a totally forage based feed stuff such as Simple system.
Any grain in the feed and you do have to wait as it will cuase probs in the hind gut.

Tis great now. Ed gets his breakfast then works. Come back from hack in the evening and its tea and bed for him. Interestingly he hasn't shown the slightest sign of colic since being on this feed. :D

[amandal]

I'm thinking of switching my mare to this, she's a good doer, in light work and I have a diet that seems to suit her now but I've heard such good things about Simple Sytsems and I'd like to try and manage her arthritis more holistically and thought the system seemed good. However I don't know if you don't have problems with your horse's current diet is it worth switching ?

[BeachRiding]

on a side note-Thanks for the info everyone, I might just look into this!

[Jenni]

just remember a horses natural diet is fibre base.

the simple system is a fibre diet. so no compound feeds. naturally horses could trickle eat fibre and still be able to run away from predators. Fibre is easily digetible.

Its only when we introduce compound feeds that the theory of not working them immediatly after a feed comes into play. The stomach gets too full up of big feeds full of course mixes and nuts etc that take longer to initially break down in the stomach to pass into the intestines.

Just as you would ride your horses after it had eaten grass or hay you can ride them after eating simple systems as its a pure fibre diet.

This is my understanding of simple systems from other people that have used it.

[Bay Mare]

Another SS fan!

I have Saff on SS stuff ... I've tried loads of stuff but she seems to like Meadowbix (cobs of grass that you soak) and Lucienuts (nuts of lucerne that you can soak or even give as treats). Coming into spring I started her on a handfull of Just Grass (new grass) to try and make the transition a bit less stressful for the both of us!

I also add a handful of Justamint (because she likes it) and am trying out some Linseed.

Not only has her coat been better since she's been on it but her teeth don't wear unevenly and don't get as sharp. She's maintained her weight well through the winter (though she is a good doer so didn't drop dramatically anyway) AND it has had a very good effect on her temperament! She's still an opinionated bossy boots but it's calmed down the fizz without taking away her energy.

I love the stuff as does Saff. Oh, and the other horses who pass by her bucket and try and nick a mouthful :D

[*carrie*]

Do you find that Simple System works out more expensive?

I e mailed them and got a reply with recommendations on. I'm just waiting to finish the feed I have already bought.

[Bay Mare]

I don't find it any more expensive than feeding hard feed and chaff. The Lucienuts and Meadowbix in particular seem to go a VERY long way :)