This morning I took a trip to our local feed suppliers to stock up on feed for Ruby.
For the past six months she had been fed Winergy Equilibrium Condition, an all in one fibre based feed. She has looked wonderful with a shiny coat and rounded bottom - good considering she hasn't really been in much work. I normally buy online from GJW Titmuss who offer free postage which is so quick it is untrue.
With the Christmas and New Year bank holidays I found myself running low on supplies and nobody locally stocks Winergy. I decided it might be a good opportunity to switch to the sort of diet recommended for barefoot horses. Whilst Winergy is high fibre/low starch, it does contain 'Molglo' a mollasses replacement which many purists consider unsuitable.
New rations consist of Dengie Alfalfa (both pellets and Alfa-A mollasses free) and Allen and Page Fast Fibre, with crushed oats and micronised linseed to help maintain her condition. I will also be buying a Progressive Earth supplement when the online shop is open in the new year.
Ruby was not overly keen and took a long time to eat, spreading a lot over the floor. She definately seems to prefer chaff consistency to mushy soaked feed which is why I chose to use the Alfa-A with the pellets. I also discovered that this combination is the basis for Dengie 'Happy Tummy'. Anything to keep the princess happy!
Time will tell if this system works for her feet and condition. Not sure I am sold on the convenience factor however.
In the afternoon we worked for 10 minutes in the arena followed by a brave hack down the lane in the wind. Afterwards the girls hid in the trees to eat hay. Millie seemed hopeful she might get some bucket feed too.
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