|
|
Post by blackjack on Jan 14, 2007 16:04:30 GMT -1
As you will know from my other posts, we have just recently started bringing Thor into work having backed him a couple of weeks ago. Basically he is doing very well but seems to be completely lacking in energy. He is coming in from the field tired, sleeps quite a bit if he is in and just does not seem to have the energy to work. I am pretty confident that there is nothing wrong with him healthwise as he is full of mischief and has a lovely shiny coat (when it isn't covered in mud!!), I think he just needs his feed changing to something with a bit more energy givinig properties in it. He is currently having half to three quarters of a scoop of Saracen Super fibre pencils and about the same amount of alfa twice a day with plenty of hay but he is unrugged day and night (unless it is a really cold night then he has a fleece on) so of course there is no energy giving properties in that really at all. He is coming up to 4 (in May of this year) so is still putting a lot into growing and filling out I would guess and I think that the work is just the final straw that he does not have the energy for.
Can anyone recommend anything to try that will perk him up and give him the oomph that he needs to learn about ridden work without giving him something that will be too much for him.
Any help/advice will be gratefully received as he is our first youngster and we are always willing to learn as we go along!!
Cheers
Nikki
|
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Jan 14, 2007 16:30:23 GMT -1
Well I have no idea at all if its 'proper' but Blossom seriously needed to put on a bit of weight going into our rough winter. I'd heard rolled oats were better than whole oats, and as we had a bag of oatmeal on hand (even flatter, and should be even more bioaccessible), well, that's what got put into her feeds to help plump her up.
She hasn't gotten scatty on it, nor has she gotten fat, but she's certainly regained some cover for her ribs and hips.
I'm sure others will be better able to tell you something you can put into Thor's food bucket, but the oatmeal has really helped for Blossom. She gets shredded beetpulp (soaked), the oatmeal and a handful of sweetfeed. Oh, and she's a year and a half now.
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Jan 14, 2007 17:27:57 GMT -1
I too used rolled oats when Tilly needed some extra oomph when we were competing/schooling for dressage on a regular basis. I found they were great as she didn't get hot on them, but had plently more fuel in the tank.
BUT you have to be extremely careful feeding them because they have the completely opposite calcium/phosphorous ratio. SO you need to feed limestone flour or other calcium rich product alongside. I would think this is even more important when feeding growing youngsters. I'd give one (or several) of the big feed companies a ring to double check before starting on it.
Lots of people think that Barley is a better (safer) option - but it brings TIlly out in barley bumps, so I couldn't use that with Tills.
Olivia
|
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Jan 14, 2007 20:20:13 GMT -1
Well I'm no expert at all on this but it sounds to me like you are doing everything right as it is. I would want a youngster on mainly fibre based feed with and a good multi vitamin supplement or balancer this time of year. I wouldn't be worrying about giving him more ooomph. It is probably more mentally than physically stressful/draining for him at the moment with lots of new experiences. Certainly worth having a chat with one or two of the feed companies for advice. So long as he is holding his weight and is fit and well, I wouldn't worry too much.
|
|
|
|
Post by harleydales on Jan 15, 2007 16:20:58 GMT -1
When I wanted H to gain weight after an illness, I had him on D&H Build Up and Alfa A, then Staypower muesli. It worked for him. When he was working very hard he was on Performance concentrate and chop, with a handful of rolled oats. D&H recommended only the oats, nothing else to be mixed in as it would 'unformulate' the diet.
|
|
