This is a common problem. You should turn him out as much as possible, preferably before your daughter rides him. Feed him a low starch feed such as Badminton Horse & Pony Cool Mix, Badminton Horse & Pony Cool Cubes or High Fibre Complete Nuggets. These contain digestible fibre, which provides more slow release energy rather than quick release energy from starch sources. If more calories are needed, add Triple Top-Up, which is a fat supplement. It is ideal for fizzy horses and ponies as it provides extra calories in a slow release form.
I cannot feed
my horse oats as her goes completely made. What do you suggest?
The heating effect of oats and other cereals is thought to be related
to the relatively high starch levels. Feed a low starch feed such as Badminton
Horse & Pony Cool Mix or Badminton
Horse & Pony Cool Cubes, which are ideal for all horses at maintenance
or in light work. Both products are oat-free so will assist in maintaining
a calm temperament.
My Arab mare is
difficult to keep weight on, but even cool cubes send her crazy. What
can I feed her that will not make her worse?
She needs a grain-free diet. Evenkeel
or High
Fibre Complete Nuggets are low in starch and low in energy. Add
Triple Top-Up if she needs extra condition.
Even a cool mix
sends my Arab mare crazy. I want to do some endurance rides but don't
know what to feed. I have heard that vegetable oil is good.
It sounds as if your mare is 'grain sensitive'. Try Evenkeel,
which is free from whole oats, barley and maize. 1kg/day will provide
all the minerals, trace elements, amino acids, etc, she needs for a healthy
maintenance diet. Vegetable oils will provide the right fuel for stamina
needed for endurance work (aerobic exercise) and should not affect your
mare's behaviour. However, in their raw liquid form, oils can be unpalatable
and difficult to feed in a sufficient quantity to make a real difference.
Triple Top-Up
will provide high levels of oil (26%) in a palatable, cooked meal form.
It contains lecithin, a fat emulsifier to aid correct absorption. It also
has high levels of Vitamin E (3,000 iu/kg) which acts as an antioxidant.
Fats are best fed long term, so start with 50g/day and work up to 400g/day,
if you are doing rides of 50 miles or more.
