|
|
Post by dalesponyrider on Oct 23, 2012 6:18:52 GMT -1
I have never fed more than a balancer, a handful of chaff, a mug of ionised linseed and ad lib hay.
However, Saturn is dropping a bit of weight since I have been riding more regularly. I am NOT riding more than twice a week though, and we are only hacking (and a bit of schooling while we hack sometimes) for about 2 hours each outing. I will probably build up to 3 or 4 hours but I don't think my body will do more than 4!
I am thinking I need to add a bit of feed to his rations which I never thought I'd have to do with all the hay they have available! Any thoughts on what would be suitable as this is a new area for me!
|
|
|
|
Post by jap on Oct 23, 2012 6:41:58 GMT -1
add a scoop of baileys no.4 to the balancer, this can go up to 2 scoops a day if needed.
|
|
|
|
Post by dalesponyrider on Oct 23, 2012 7:11:02 GMT -1
I had a look at the Baileys website and got totally confused. I was thinking of no 2 as it seemed to be designed for ponies but the no 4 you suggest does actually say for weight gain and Saturn has dropped weight. Why do they make so many? It's very confusing to a numpty like me!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2012 8:27:29 GMT -1
I would be tempted to add grass nuts and speedibeet see how he goes for month then if more condition is required look at conditioning feeds (top spec cool condition cubes are excellent as your already feeding a balancer and build up cubes are great and very reasonably priced still)
|
|
|
|
Post by DalesLady on Oct 23, 2012 11:24:29 GMT -1
I would go with the baileys number 4 Linda - having tried different feeds and combinations over the years, baileys number 4 is the one which we found works best for all temperaments  - then when he is at the weight you feel is right for him, baileys number 14 is excellent - more or less the same but without the weight build up factor |
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Oct 23, 2012 11:30:24 GMT -1
Is Saturn definitly getting access to the hay? The others aren't keeping him off when you are not there? I'm just surprised at that level of work load he is losing weight. Saying that, all horses are different and you'll know him the best as to his weight etc, some of ours lose weight faster than others etc. Baileys number 4 definitly the best for the job that aside x
|
|
|
|
Post by valerie n scout on Oct 23, 2012 12:05:05 GMT -1
Scout had Number 4 before, when we had very little grass x
|
|
|
|
Post by dalesponyrider on Oct 23, 2012 12:15:17 GMT -1
He is kept away from the hay sometimes Anna but D doesn't eat more than she needs and she lets him in eventually and he quite often has the feeder to himself.
I rang Baileys as I wasn't sure about feeding the balancer AND the cubes. I didn't want to overload him with any vits or mins. The girl there told me to up the stud balancer to the full amount and give him a couple of scoops of Outshine supplement. So there is more confusion! I would have thought that was very similar to my Charnwoods linseed?
Anna, do you feed the balancer and the Number 4 or just the Number 4?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards
|
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Oct 23, 2012 14:32:11 GMT -1
I've never found outshine much use, its like a solid piece of fat/oil so I understand the logic, just never seen it work.
Yes we feed 4 AND balancer because we do not feed the 4's at the maximum rate. So they get 1lb of balancer plus 3lbs number 4's (one stubbs scoop) in the morning if in work. They might get a second stubbs scoop of 4's in the evening if in harder work. You do drop the balancer if you reach a certain amount of 4's (possibly a 9lbs but would have to check back of feed bag) as it then provides the total amount of vits and nutrients a horse should have but at the levels we use it you still need the balancer.
|
|
|
|
Post by felix on Oct 23, 2012 16:10:45 GMT -1
we used top spec conditioning cubes in past with flax oil 3 times a week(the oil not the cubes) and that worked great
|
|
|
|
Post by cadeby on Oct 23, 2012 20:11:18 GMT -1
King is the only one of mine that I have to feed to maintain condition. He has ad-lib hay from this time of year onwards, plus Top-Spec balancer and 4lbs of Baileys Number 4, spread over 2 meals. Last year I couldn't get hold of the Baileys so he had Top Spec Cool Conditioning Cubes instead. I was pleased with both brands but the Baileys had the edge for me as (1) it was a bit cheaper and (2) he ended up shiny and roans are not supposed to shine  I know that's not very scientific! |
|
|
|
Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 23, 2012 20:42:00 GMT -1
You could up the linseed Linda, Daisy is on 2 stubbs scoops of Baileys No 4 and about 400grams of linseed split inot two feeds, in the past I found that just upping her linseed kept her weigh on ok
|
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Oct 24, 2012 5:21:45 GMT -1
I tried Outshine last year, an expensive mistake although I had heard good reports. Initially got it for Harvey as a high fat, low volume feed good for horses who tie up and to give stamina without going "silly". He wouldn't touch it.  Tried it for old Winnie who wouldn't touch it either. In the end Frankie enjoyed it. He was looking a little poor last year and did pick up quickly but can't say it was down to the Outshine. My vet thinks he lost weight due stress of being itchy with pinworm. All sorted now and he's looking great. I'm sticking with micronised linseed now. I think Saturn will pick up quickly too once he is back into work routine and gains his old muscle tone. At the moment he is stressing with the change of routine and also sweating a lot with the warm weather and his wooly coat. That will sort itself when we get the cold weather they are promising us at the weekend. You could always give him a little under the neck clip to help and still keep him unrugged - or clip and rug if you are going to do long rides through the winter. I would up his balancer and linseed for now and see how he goes. |
|
|
|
Post by Tynedale on Oct 24, 2012 5:48:27 GMT -1
In for a penny!!!!!
I use Outshine and have done for about 3 years now for our stallion Duke. I started feeding it when he was dropping weight running the fence line and I haven't looked back.
He has a fabulous sheen to his coat, maintains his weight even when covering our mares and isn't silly on it.
It's not cheap but he now only has half a cup a day so it lasts ages.
If D doesn't let him at the feeder straight away could you hang a net up for Saturn away from the others? How about some haylage or maube they would fight over that!
|
|
|
|
Post by dalesponyrider on Oct 24, 2012 6:26:47 GMT -1
The hay is there all the time, 24 hours a day, so I don't think it matters that they take turns at it. If we are refilling it, I used to throw Saturn a slice on his own. However, I've stopped doing that as he usually wastes it and waits for his turn at the feeder. I don't actually think he is that hungry as he doesn't eat from his hay net when I tie him up, or in the trailer, or when I tie him to the trailer when we go somewhere. I wonder what the difference is in the content of the Charnwoods linseed and the outshine? I'll have to look into that as the Linseed is LOADS cheaper!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards
|
|
- then when he is at the weight you feel is right for him, baileys number 14 is excellent - more or less the same but without the weight build up factor 
Tried it for old Winnie who wouldn't touch it either. In the end Frankie enjoyed it. He was looking a little poor last year and did pick up quickly but can't say it was down to the Outshine. My vet thinks he lost weight due stress of being itchy with pinworm. All sorted now and he's looking great. I'm sticking with micronised linseed now.