dingbat
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,481
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Post by dingbat on Dec 27, 2007 20:41:16 GMT 1
the best thing for weight gain (IMO) for horses at rest (and working) is a fibre based feed. i feed mine alfa-a with speedibeet. he also has mag ox and benevit. he gets this twice a day and has put on weight since being with me (4 weeks) and has hay at night (stabled) and just grass in the day. i've reduced his alfa-a now and am mixing it with my other horses hi-fi lite. i will buy alfa- lite when hes finished this bag.
alfa beet is good as a speedibeet replacement for a bit of exra weight. linseed is good too. personally i stay away from soya because i know of horses who have had allergies to it but thats ok too if the horse is ok on it.
SS feeds tend to be good for more protein but still keeping it fibre based.
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Post by samamber on Dec 27, 2007 21:21:27 GMT 1
He's already on a fairly high fibre diet as he goes loopy on some cereal based feed so i have to be careful.
I might try a linseed oil and one of the bailey's conditioning feed.
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Post by SaturdayGirl on Dec 27, 2007 21:27:08 GMT 1
Try TopSpec Balancer, CoolCondition cubes, baileys outshine and alpha A. All cereal free and work well. Make sure he has ad lib hay/ haylage as well
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Post by Fussymare on Dec 27, 2007 23:23:17 GMT 1
I was using Baileys Conditioning Cubes, but find my TB holds his weight better with a feed called Highlight Conditioning Cubes - these are locally produced, and I'm not sure how far afield they are sold? But he is looking really good on them. I also feed linseed oil from High Barn Oils - comes with a pump dispenser for easy use, and lasts really well. highbarnoils.co.uk/
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Post by sarahfox on Dec 28, 2007 0:38:11 GMT 1
Isnt baileys mostly based on wheat? sorry if thats a dull one as I have never fed mixes,only straights or fibre feeds with oils!
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Post by lizzypeg on Dec 28, 2007 11:49:14 GMT 1
Outshine is fantastic to put on weight and shine without fizz, we used it on a dales mare who arrived at ours very run up and the results were fantastic
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Post by sarahfox on Dec 28, 2007 12:26:55 GMT 1
Yes,but what is it??! Thats what bothers me with all these made up mixes/cubes,do we actually know what they put in them? and its no good thinking its ok cos they are a reputed company,just look at how BSE got in the country.
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Post by indibindi on Dec 28, 2007 12:40:19 GMT 1
My horses have improved dramatically on the following diet:
Ones of good weight:
Fibrebeet (when I can get it) or Speedibeet Alfa A Scoop of Top Spec Conditioning Flakes (basically compressed oats) - I had them on normal oats and they were less fizzy on them, but they live out and burn off the energy keeping warm
Ones who needed to put on weight: Fibrebeet Alfa A Top SPec Conditioning flakes Top Spec Cool Condition Linseed from SS
and it has been the best plan ever to put weight on my horses.
(thanks SF and SW - I will never feed mixes again!)
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Post by lizzypeg on Dec 28, 2007 13:29:58 GMT 1
Outshine is an oil based pellet feed that is suitable for lami's and good doers, the ingredients and benefits etc are listed in the link below www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/supplements/outshine.htmmodified to add before and after pics of my mare who went onto a fibre diet and Outshine on arrival at our yard Before and after
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dingbat
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,481
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Post by dingbat on Dec 28, 2007 13:57:11 GMT 1
Heat Processed Wheat, Heat Processed Full Fat Soya, Heat Processed Linseed, Soya Oil, Soya Hulls, Sugar Beet Pulp, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins and Minerals, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, L-Lysine, DL Methionine, Digest Plus prebiotic (ScFOS)
These are the ingredients. 'heat processed wheat' is a bit worrying?! what is wheat? basically its main ingredients are linseed and soya! with a couple of things thrown in. i think you'd be better feeding a general supplement and then adding in some oil (or SS linseed etc) myself.
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Post by joto on Dec 28, 2007 14:23:59 GMT 1
I find Baileys conditioning cubes very good and you can always add a bit of Baileys Outshine too.
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Post by joto on Dec 28, 2007 14:26:33 GMT 1
OT a bit Lizziepeg, I've fallen in love with your horse. absolutely gorgeous .
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Post by sarahfox on Dec 28, 2007 15:02:58 GMT 1
Yes! lovely horsey lizzie!
Thanks for the link,I had a feeling that a lot of the baileys conditioning feeds were wheat based.I cant remember why now but Im sure I read somewhere that wheat isnt an ideal feed for horses?
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Post by june on Dec 28, 2007 19:02:16 GMT 1
I've had to rehabilitate a number of underweight polo ponies over the years and have found that Alfa A Lite, Top Spec Balancer, Top Spec Cool and Condition and Simple Systems Linseed work really well. I have used Baileys Outshine too for some that are desperately underweight as it is the highest calorie feed I've found so you can get condition on without feeding it in vast quantities. However, I prefer to use Top Spec Cool and Condition if possible as it is simply soya and linseed and is designed to be fed alongside the balancer, whereas the Outshine contains lots of other vitamins, minerals etc.
I've also found that feeding 4 times a day makes a huge difference for the really underweight ones. However, for something that just needs a bit of extra help then Top Spec Cool and Condition added twice a day works well. It is safe to use for horses at rest too. It provides energy but in a slow release form as the calories are mostly from oil so doesn't cause fizziness.
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