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Post by bustersgirl on Mar 18, 2016 15:33:02 GMT
Hi guys, I have a very lazy connie who's naturally a good doer. I keep him as fit as poss, vary is work etc and ive played with feed to get the balance right between energy and weight gain. He has rolled oats in his feed and has for a while but im not convinced they affect him. He has a full small cup in each feed but on lesson days and for competing he has more. I am wondering whether to try him on Allen & Page Power and Performance to give him some oomph. Worried that hel bang the weight on with it? Has anyone got experience? Thankyou  |
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Post by sjw87 on Mar 18, 2016 15:51:50 GMT
When does he get fed? Oats or any other fast release energy feeds are just that - they release energy quickly. If fed in the morning, hours before the horse is worked, it is unlikely that they will get the benefit when the energy is needed. Likewise, feeding in the evening after work will not be beneficial. Feeding an hour before work might help (ensure enough time is left for digestion to prevent causing colic).
Personally, I'm not overkeen on this type of feed, particularly for natives but I don't know your pony so can't judge. It might be worth speaking to an independent nutritionist to see what they recommend - feed company nutritionists will generally only recommend their own products which might not be the best option.
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Post by bustersgirl on Mar 18, 2016 15:56:38 GMT
He gets fed first thing and last thing so yeah your right that's a good point. I hadn't thought of that before. Is that also going to be the case with a supplement such as the Science supplement Energex? I was just thinking along the lines of helping him as much as I can to sparkle - he just feels flat a lot of the time.
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Post by sageandonionagain on Mar 18, 2016 19:18:10 GMT
So we all know that any kind of cereal is bad for a native so you must feed with great caution and you must ensure the correct work is done. You cannot go feeding cereal for a bit of a hack or a day off. What you need is fast release energy prior to work. Rather like a banana sandwich before you do an exercise class. The Allen & Page you mention will put on weight, it will not give the fast hit you are looking for. A small cup of rolled oats will make not the slightest difference in my opinion.
I would suggest a balancer daily with D&H Concentrated Performance Mix. This is designed to be fed in low amounts about an hour before work. Have a look at their website, it is formulated especially for the type of animal you describe. When the horse is not working hard (and you have to be sensible here), you can drop it out and just feed your balancer. At all times you must be careful of laminitis, watch grass intake.
I fed this with success to a Connemara exactly as you describe. However, I will say I did eventually rehome him to a non competitive home because basically he was a idle toad that didn't enjoy doing the work I wanted him to do, even with the feed. I decided it was just not fair on him to try to turn him into a character he was not. He is very happy with his pampering new home where he gets brushed more than ridden. |
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Post by bustersgirl on Mar 19, 2016 8:45:07 GMT
Thanks for the advice il have a look at the website. Yes im very careful with his weight, we seem to have found a good balance at the moment and he isn't putting weight on - he is on a low calorie balancer with his chaff. Our fields are perfect for natives - not much grass on especially at the moment so I can monitor how much hes eating.
I have found that his attitude changes when I vary his work and keep him fitter, he adores jumping and we certainly don't need any energy help when there's jumps in the arena, he pulls my arms out to go over them. We only flat show competition wise and not on a regular basis. He seems to not be too bothered if I only school him a couple of times a week but I just feel that he needs a little more fuel in the tank to help him. Selling him isn't an option, ive had him as a 2 year old and hes 8 now and I cant do it.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Mar 19, 2016 11:10:21 GMT
I think you have an answer in your last post - keep him fit and do what he enjoys! Jump him and flat school him on hacks rather than in an arena. If he's pulling your arms out to jump he must have the energy, he's just fussy about on what he applies it!
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Post by kimyc85 on Mar 19, 2016 16:07:03 GMT
Sarah p you have summed up my connie right there!
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Post by sageandonionagain on Mar 19, 2016 16:26:21 GMT
bustersgirl, I am not suggesting you should sell, just sometimes we have to accept they are what they are and there is only so much we can do. Take to D&H about the feed I have mentioned, it may be enough. You can also add oats on top of this feed but in your case I think you will want the rocket fuel dengie naked oats, rolled are not enough IMO. I think by the sounds of it you are aware enough to feed cereals with caution and the keep you have him on is not too rich.
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