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Post by sparkysunny on Mar 11, 2015 20:47:30 GMT
My little Section B hasn't wintered particularly well. I don't want to start stuffing him full of feed that will fizz him up or supplements for a 'short term fix' but can anyone please suggest what I could do to help him fill out a little without turning into a loopy loon? He is currently just on Happy Hoof. Many thanks.
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Post by cariad on Mar 11, 2015 22:15:41 GMT
Cool stance copra
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 12, 2015 7:05:04 GMT
I would do completely other and make sure he had adlib hay/haylage as first action, then add a balancer and see how it went for a bit before adding any purely energy feeds. Any diet should be looked at as a whole, and is only as good as its weakest link.
This is, of course, having first checked teeth and made sure worming is up to scratch.
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Post by roxy93 on Mar 12, 2015 8:45:33 GMT
With chanel she didnt winter as well either, we have let her come back into stable and no feed for few weeks to settle just her haynets she had, she is now on cubes, micronised linseed, baileys no 1 and some alfa A and every week i look at her she is looking better, not rushing her as no point it will all come x
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 12, 2015 9:22:44 GMT
it does of course depend too on what you are doing or aiming to do with the pony over the summer. Anything that's just going to be out at grass (breeding stock for example) is better off being lean at this time of the year - they will soon balloon out again when the grass grows!
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Post by tabbyx on Mar 12, 2015 15:40:38 GMT
Baileys No.1 We've had plenty on this(including H and Freddie), works wonders but definitely doesn't send them loopy. Quite reasonably priced as well compared to a lot of feeds. And Micronised linseed, which you're best to buy in a big bag as it's far cheaper than the smaller bags, really works on them plus gives them a really healthy shine.
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Post by sparkysunny on Mar 13, 2015 20:36:06 GMT
Thank you, everyone - will consider all the options!
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dis
Junior Member
Posts: 82
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Post by dis on Mar 14, 2015 20:12:01 GMT
Ad lib forage. I feed copra cool, plus soaked whole oats to my lad who drops easily. Check teeth and worming status too
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Post by sparkysunny on Mar 22, 2015 20:27:12 GMT
Worming and teeth up to date. He's in at night, out during the day. Looking at adding Baileys No 1 but on their website it says it "should always be fed alongside a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement or balancer" - if I add it to his current Happy Hoof, do I need to add some sort of supplement as well? Also, rather a random question, but when people say 'ad lib' hay, does that mean enough for them to never run out ie so they can never eat all of it? If so a) my hay bill would go through the roof and b) I think my ponies would explode! I've never fully understood the interpretation of ad lib. Thanks in advance.
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mel b
Full Member
Posts: 522
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Post by mel b on Mar 22, 2015 22:13:52 GMT
I use fab products from Gravenhorse feeds, Soya and linseed based meal, amazing for putting on condition and safe to feed to horses and ponies of all sizes, including laminitics and ems. John is great for advise to, give him a ring tell him I told you
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Post by lisadundee on Mar 23, 2015 10:55:22 GMT
I use Gravehurst feeds too for my stallion who's probe to ulcers and he looks the best he's ever looked now, he's on the full fat soya meal which I found more affective than baileys outshine and half the price and the antilam which has magnesium in it to help with his stressyness
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2015 11:01:10 GMT
I would feed topspec feed balancer, a cupful a day of leisure time, is what my dartmoors have.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 23, 2015 15:32:08 GMT
Ad lib means as much as they want to eat. You'd soon work out how much that is by topping them up when they run out. No, they won't explode, and it may well decrease your total feed bill because you won't be feeding anything like the amount of bag feed, which is more expensive. You do though need some way of feeding them without wasting too much hay. It's the first thing to try if your pony isn't doing well - ad lib grass/hay/haylage, maybe with a balancer, before adding anything else. This is mature animals, not for babies as their needs are different.
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Post by norwalk on Mar 23, 2015 18:45:32 GMT
Agree with all above... I've also used "sumo" which is oil based, but some like it and some don't! My little good doer that would literally eat your trainers in a magnet ignored it if fed to others loose in field (she's the smallest and would see off a shire where food is concerned!). My others liked it and did well. I also rate baileys lo-cal. With same good doer, she always looks healthier when fed this as a balancer, I try not to corn any of them up but give them what they need to keep condition and stay sane! X
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Post by tct2912 on Mar 25, 2015 20:28:37 GMT
Most Def Coolstance Copra excellent non heating low sugar feed that you will see a difference in a few weeks wonderful stuff
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Post by kat1986 on Mar 27, 2015 17:20:27 GMT
Good quality ad lib hay also ive found Allen and pages calm and condition to be very good
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