What can i feed a 6yr old horse?

Question

I am currently feeding him competition mix but that hasent done the trick he is a show-jumper and has competitions most weekends!!

Answer 1

The best feed I have found is a high protien/fat sweet feed mix from a local feed store. They have things like soy, oats, corn, molasses, etc. You can even get vit and minerals added.
Make sure you ask for extra beet pulp in the mixture- that will fatten without energy.

Another thing you can do is add a complete feed to his grain. Basically, it is a pelleted hay for people who don't want to feed their horses hay (which I do not agree with) but the feed works great on keeping weight on without adding energy. Because it is balanced, you have to worry less about stomach problems.
What I feed AM and PM to my mare in the summer, grainwise, is 2 scoops sweet feed (4-5lbs) and 8 lbs complete feed along with free choice alfalfa pasture or a bale of good quality hay a day.

Also, are you feeding basically free choice good quality hay? Hay is the most important aspect in gaining weight. A highly active horse should be getting at least 4 flakes AM and PM. If possible, slowly add alfalfa hay until that makes up at least 2 flakes AM and PM. Alfalfa is more fattening than grass hay, but can cause colic if added too quickly to a horse's diet that is not used to it.

Answer 2

The most important part of a horse's diet is obviously forage. If he doesn't have access to grass, you need to make sure he gets plenty of hay each day. To give you an example, my hunter gets almost nine flakes every day to keep him happy and healthy. For grain, though, you have options. First, let me just say that if he's working fine on his current levels of grain, don't swap anything out. If not, don't try an abrupt change yet. You could always try adding half a scoop of sweet feed to his grain. As always, when changing the diet of a horse, phase in the new feed gradually so as not to upset his stomach. Different horses have different dietary needs according to metabolism and amount of work. Your guy sounds like he has a pretty demanding work schedule, so you might want to consider something with about 14% protein. Either that, or you can switch him off pelleted grains altogether. My hunter eats about six quarts a day, three in the morning and three at night. Half of each serving is rolled oats, the other sweet feed. Before you change anything, though, you should definitely talk to your vet and trainer about what they recommend for your individual horse. They might have some ideas and they know your horse personally, so they could recommend something that might better suit his needs.

Answer 3

whats the problem, too fizzy, too lethargic, phone a feed company spillers is good they have equine nutritionalists who can advise for your horses specific needs. i would assume from your phrasing he is lethargic try sugar beet, comp mix bit of alfa a and maybe add probiotic or supplement like red cell to boost, try haylage instead of hay as we used to have some horses that buzzed up on that alone, makes their stools bit loose though. definately increase amounts into several meals daily to aid digestion and if he isn't quite right consider he could be tired, may have virus or may not be fit enough to cope with workload. try couple days out to rest then stable, increase feed and add new supplements gradually and increase workload agian. he is quite young still so bear that in mind. if this is a sudden change get the vet to check him out. hope this helps its quite a vague question and really you need more background to advise correctly, if you have a trainer who knows the horse ask them for advice as they would have a better idea of the problem

Answer 4

He may be sour with his work so whatever you feed won't make a difference. High energy feeds may make him more skittish and thats not good for his concentration.
Change his training schedule, he may be bored. And get him checked by the vet to make sure there's no underlying cause. Are his teeth ok? Is he getting the full nutrition from his feed? Has he been wormed?
If he's ok then its his attitude to his work. He may need a break or re-schooling.

Answer 5

i have a 16hh horse who gets quite fizzed up, especially when jumping. we compete fairly often but not every week. i feed him calm and cool, chaff, complete mix and some competition mix in the winter. he also gets ad lib haylage and turnout in the day.

Answer 6

you could try feeding him basic stuff like always having hay on offer
give him molly chop, sugar beet, oats, barly
you can add corn oil for his coat.

But the amount would depend on what size he is and breed
and obviousy how often you ride him through the week

Answer 7

it might help if we new the size of the horse? why you are asking how much to feed him? how much work does he do in the week? Is he lazy? or do you just want a fizzy ride when you compete him?

Answer 8

You should ring up one of the horse food companies and speak to a nutritionist (they all have them) and they can advise you. Are you in the UK? because I know Spillers, Baileys and Allen and Page all have this service.

Answer 9

what do you mean by not doing the trick? what do you want the food to be doing? do you want her to put on wieght, be less fizzy? what? all depends on that really.

Answer 10

oats,grass,hay,oranges,apples and garlic and carrots,

and some horses like a treat like.......... polo mints ! ! ! !
OH AND NEVER FEED THEM POTATOES CAUSE IT WILL KILL THEM