Winter Feeding Tips For Putting Condition On

By Isabel Stewart BSc (Hons) - SPILLERS® Nutritionist

During this time of year we get numerous phone calls on the SPILLERS® Careline from owners, who are worried their horses have lost weight over the winter.

The methods for safely achieving weight gain and optimum condition safely are the same;

 

  • Cool FibreOffer hay or haylage ad lib to provide extra roughage and nutrients where grazing is non-existent or a mud-bath. These may not have the feed value of fresh grass, but they do provide gut fill, and central heating, as the process of fermentation in the hindgut generates heat. Use a high quality fiber alongside your compound feed such as SPILLERS® Cool Fibre not only will this add extra bulk but will help extend eating time, provide additional calories and essential vitamins important for overall health.

 

  • Conditioning CubesOwners already feeding 2-3kg of feed to a horse that’s dropped weight can put it back on quickly with a conditioning feed, such as SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes.  As condition comes from a balance of energy and protein together, look for feeds rich in both of these nutrients. You don’t need a lot of Conditioning feed to see a difference. SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes are ideal, in trials an improved topline and condition, without fat was seen in as little as 2 weeks without excitiablity whilst maintaining a perfect temperament.

 

 

  • Conditioning FibreSPILLERS® Conditioning Fibre is designed to be fed in conjunction with Conditioning Cubes or with a leisure feed to aid coat condition. If you are preparing your horse for the show ring adding SPILLERS® Conditioning Fibre every day will add 10% of soya oil for superb coat condition.

 

 

 

Lastly if you are unsure whether your feeding regime is correct for your horse and would like some advice in putting together your horse or ponies diet, please contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626 or fill in the Care-Line enquiry form.

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