Feed Advice Needed

[clarea]

I have been feeding my lad the same thing for ages. Currently he has Alfa A, TopSpec Balancer and Magnesium Oxide however his work load has increased significantly and I feel he needs something extra as well. The trouble is there are so many different things on the market that I don't know what to try.

I was thinking either Allen & Page Power & Performance or Spillers Slow Release Energy mix. Or even just oats with an oat balancer.

Can anyone give me some advice please? Thanks

[horsefeed]

I would add a grass nut made from Spring Grass such as Simple Systems Red Grass Nuts, I think Spillers do one too.

[julz]

or what about Spillers Meadowherb mix...it gives just enough energy without making them silly

[varkie]

Given that you're already feeding Top Spec balancer, I'd probably go for one of their products - what is it you feel he is lacking? Condition or energy? I'd probably go for Top Specs Cool Condition Cubes.

[clarea]

Thanks for the replies.
I don't think the meadowherb mix would be enough for him really.
He is lacking a bit of energy rather than condition. He is working hard now - schooling every day (enough to make him very hot) and competing so probably medium level work.

[sara]

I use oats, and really rate them. I know some people don't seem to like feeding straights, but it really works for me. If L is having a couple of days off, or if he is working harder, or competing I can up the level as and when I need them, and they give him the extra oomph he needs, without adding calories

[clarea]

Hi Sara, which oats do you use and do you use an oat balancer as well (I think feeding oats reduces the calcium being absorbed??)?

[sundance]

Why not swap the Alpha-A for Alpha-oil?

[sara]

I get my oats from Chestnut horse feeds, as I get the rest of my feed from there too. No I don't use an oat balancer, but have a very good general balancer, and was told by their nutritionalist that I should be fine

[chunkykiwi]

I feed a very simple straight diet to all my horses on top of their ad lib fibre (plenty of good grass and hay).

I would say chuck him some oats. Oats have a bad press and are deemed as heating to the point of blowing brains but this is actually only the case if you are feeding the wrong quantites. My very sharp SJ'er is on oats as is my chunky cob and young welshie.

Along with oats I feed Limestone flour. Horses need twice as much calcium as phospherous. Oats are high in phosphorous but deficient in calcium. Limestone is high in calcium so corrects the balance.

xxxx

[clarea]

Thanks guys, think I will try him on oats first and see how we go.
So what sort of oats can I use and what do I do with them? Daft question I'm sure but I have no idea!

[Louise]

Give Nicola at Top Spec a call - she is very helpful and open minded about using products other than her own, so if she thinks oats are a good idea she will say so, etc...

It sounds like he is doing very well - so pleased for you :-)

[june]

Top Spec do a feed called Conditioning Flakes which is micronised oats. I'd be inclined to feed a Top Spec product alongside what you are feeding already as their conditioning i.e. energy, products are designed to be fed alongside the balancer so don't contain extra vitamins and minerals that you are already feeding in the balancer. Other feeds are likely to have other things added to be more "complete" feeds so you'll be adding extra things that you don't need.