Feeds?

[Wingana]

Hi all :)
I've had my horse for around 3 weeks now and he's been totally grass fed for the past 2 years but with the trip he lost a bit of weight so I've been giving him 2 flakes of hay each day as well but so far he hasnt put on that weight that he lost.
He's still settling in and therefore isnt in work. he's off track so he'll only be getting very light work for a while.
I was just wondering what you could suggest to help him gain a bit of weight and something that might be good vitamin/mineral wise? I've browsed a few websites but there's so many products and so many brands it's a tad overwhelming :confused:
If anyone could help me that would be wonderful :D
I'm in the Gold Coast region but he lives up at Mt Nathan.
thanks!
Sarah and Mr G.

[ann]

It sounds as if he's come from 'good horse country' to the SE Queensland coast in late winter, where he won't be getting sufficient nutrients from the grass he's eating.

My suggestion is to add small amounts of the feed you'll be putting him on when you put him into work. Most of the manufactured feeds have maintenance rations for times when horses aren't in work, so you could start him on that, see how he likes it and then increase it as he starts work.

I'm currently feeding Mi-feed Old Mate to my two elderly mares, and they love it. I like it because although it's been treated to make it more easily digested, it still looks like grain. Mi-feed (http://mi-feed.com.au/main.php?page=horse) have a lot of different feeds for horses.

[Marisa]

Maybe try the NutriRice All Rounder pellet or Mitavite Economix or Xtra Cool. Both can just be fed with hay and grass and should help give your boy a bit of extra condition without heating him up. These are all 'complete' feeds so you shouldn't need to add anything else to his diet mineral wise if he's getting the correct(by the bag) amounts. If not you can add a mineral block to his paddock where he has free access to it.

I think Prydes also do a similar pellet but I don't know what it's called, but if you check out their website it should have it there.

Good luck with your new boy. It sounds like he's a very good doer for an OTTB.

[Wingana]

thanks so much! and he's come from Stanthorpe to the Coast :)

[ann]

thanks so much! and he's come from Stanthorpe to the Coast :)Yes, much better horse country at Stanthorpe, even if the grass looks greener and more lush on the coast. :)

Do as others say and check his teeth, treat for worms and introduce your preferred horse mix gradually according to the instructions on the bag.

[Wingana]

thankyou so much
I got him some Mitavite Xtra Cool and he really seems to like it already! :D

[ann]

thankyou so much
I got him some Mitavite Xtra Cool and he really seems to like it already! :DExcellent! I'm sure he'll put on weight.

Can I suggest that you also start him on a salt lick, even though the weather's still cool? Any deficiencies in the grass will show up in the way he approaches that as well.

[Lilyaust]

I had that problem with my hores who was well over 16hh. I spoke with the vet about it and suggested.
coprua, 2kg lost of water to dilute
equillibriam (ver small amount)
6 -12 cups of pellets i think its about 3kgs worth
ginger
oil
and rice bran
lucerin chaff mixed in.

Then biscuit of prime chaff. at night

as there was no grass where he was.

depending on the type of horse i hear copra can over heat a horse. But i never had a problem with it.

[zorro]

Diamond V it's one of the best products ive used it's a yeast and vitamin blend it will help them put weight on naturally calm's them down and for a horse that has had ulcer or gut problems where they digest food to quickly it will slow digestition down and will help prevent ulcers. It also gives them the most amazing coat.

[Wingana]

lol Ann you must have been reading my mind or I must be reading yours because I got him a salt lick the other day but I'm also going to pick him up a mineral block to.

lily i think one of the other girls who boards where i do uses coprua but i'm not 100% sure if the place where i get my feed has it but i'll definately look into it! :D

thanks a bunch everyone. he already looks a lot better after his wormer and new feed!

[jodles]

Just a reminder to check the pasture he is on as we have alot of high oxylate grasses here so dont forget a calcium supplement if necessary. Love economix :)

[Lek]

Yes, Wingana I second the calcium supplement....most produce stores sell a digestible cacium dcp mix that you should definitely add to your horses feed if they are on any pastures around the Mount Nathan area as they will nearly all contain a mix of tropical high oxylate grasses...it's really important and probably worth some research ...it won't help with weight gain but steady feeding of bulk and some quality complete feed nearly always brings them around...alot can be put down to change of environment and a bit of stress if he loses weight initially... regular feeding, gentle regular work and a strict worming regime fix most weight issues over time...I still haven't met a quick fix.

[zorro]

Diamond V xp it is a yeast product with a mix of good vitamin's slows metabilisim so they process the food properly so they put on more weight reduces there heart rate so they are more competitive. Is very gentle on the gut and can help with ulcers. Stops lactic acid build up the in joint's great from foals right upto the oldies. And it naturally calms them down and you use an extremly small amount.And it makes there coat amazing.

[Silver Snaffle]

Feeding several smaller feeds throught out the day when possible, is another good way to ensure that they get the most from each feed. large feeds push the feed through the digestive tract more quickly so the nutrients are not effectively absorped from the feed.