Feed for older Dales

[Deleted]

Can anyone tell me what feeds they have used to keep weight on their older dales through the winter months? I need to keep sugar levels down as pony has had laminitus in the past luckily only once.

[valerie n scout]

Scout isn't Dales tho he loses condition..I use 16 plus..just check the sugar levels see what you think X

[harveydales]

Not so easy when you have a laminitis prone pony. My very old pony (39) is on a mash of fast fibre, grass nuts and linseed. Grass nuts may not be a wise thing to feed if your pony has had laminitis though but fast fibre and Charnwoods linseed would be fine. Also unmolassed sugar beet would be fine and you could also add a splash of vegetable oil. Plenty of good hay if he can still chew OK.

I've tried Alan and Page Veteran Vitality too, which is one step up from Fast Fibre but I found it sent some of the ponies silly so I went back to Fast Fibre. I find most of the other veteran mixes rather too high in starch except ones like Winergy Senior which I like but is very expensive.

[zeldalithgow]

Daisy is on Fast Fibre and micronised linseed meal

[Minnie]

If teeth are okay I'd definitely feed a chaff. I can't recommend Dengie enough, they do a molasses free range which is recommended by the lami trust and most of the dengie products are low in sugar and starch. The most conditioning are the alfalfa's, have used the molasses free alfalfa and really rated it but a couple of the ponies went off the taste and the smell is also quite strong. Can't beat alfa-a oil for weight gain though.

I'd feed Speedi-beet, Fibre-beet, Fast Fibre or alfa-beet (depending on whether you're feeding to maintain or increase weight) with the chaff.
If you want to add more calories, topspec have cool condition cubes which are cereal free and they soak easily too. With all of these you'd need to feed a balancer as non of them are balanced. Also baileys outshine will add additional calories, very high oil but low in starch.

There's a list of approved feed on the lami trust website I think, would be worth a look. If they're prone to lami avoid the veteran mixes, they're really high in starch so stick to high fibre and high oil alternatives.

[zeldalithgow]

Yes I feed a chaff too, I take it for granted that chaff is added to feeds as I always do ;D

I use Mollichaff Alfalfa it's unmollased too

[valerie n scout]

sorry yes Scout's on speedi beet and chaff too X

[Deleted]

My old girl, Lottie is a Fell and she's always done very well on 16+ soaked cubes and Dengie
She finds it hard to keep her weight but with that it seems to work well. Oh and lots of hay too obviously!

[Deleted]

Thank you so much for all your responses. You have all given me some great suggestions. Windy is 25 and Dales and is in light work hacking out about 4 days a week in summer and twice a week at this time of year. I put him on Safe and Sound after his one and only bout of laminitus when he was 19 and he has done very well on it, he's just slightly ribby. In addition I use Speedibeet, cod liver oil and garlic and of course good quality hay.

His teeth are checked regularly and he is on a worming programme

I am going to have another look at the Dengie products as my mare (non dales) is on hi fi original. This product has molassis in it so have avoided giving it to Windy.

[tinkerdorisalison]

Dengie have a range of Molasses Free products now, Hi-Fi and Alfa-A, check out their website - those products are £2 off at the moment

[Debbie]

With my oldie, two things I add to help him keep his weight is Focus Senior, its a probiotic, and coconut oil I believe its called copra over there? I'm in the States.

Galahad gets a teaspoon of coconut oil in the mornings, but if its winter time, we'll boost that to a tablespoon. If we're facing really bad weather, he'll get it twice a day and closer to two or three tablespoons.

[harveydales]

Thanks for the reminder, Debbie. I got some coconut oil for Winnie but have forgotten to try him with it.

[Deleted]

Just a quick update I have been in contact with Dengie and have been sent a free sample of their molasses free Alfa A - I will let you know how we get on.

[hannahj]

I'm not sure if this is helpful for you. I have a 32 yr old Dales who had lami about 5 years ago. Like yours it was only the once and I have been extra super careful since. When he started to get a bit ribby the vet recommended I try the Equilibrium Winergy feeds. Bizarrely she suggested the Growth version. It's obviously meant fir youngsters but as it's low in starch and sugars it's great for the laminitics. They advertise it as low glycaemic. I have to say... It's amazing. Bob looks great on it. He still has muscle tone and a lovely glossy coat. He also can't eat how now due to recent dental problems. He is now on two huge buckets of hi Fi lite at night. Expensive but only the best for my Bob. If I were you I would seriously look into the Winergy. If you are concerned about feeding growth, there is also a veteran version. The nutritional content isn't that different.

[hannahj]

Of course I meant he can't eat hay now!! Typo!