Posted: 23rd July 2015 | Back to news feed
I own a 14hh 16-year-old pony who has previously competed at top-level showjumping, he is now just used for hacking and fun but I still want to make sure he looks in great condition. He lives in at night but is out all day in the field on good grazing.
Alltech Answer
During his competition days your pony would have required more nutrients to fulfil the energy requirements needed to be able to compete and train to the best of his ability.
Now he is leading a more sedate lifestyle his energy requirements will not be so great, and it will be difficult to maintain the same muscle tone and topline in a pony that is now not participating in such an intense training regime.
Competition horses and ponies are used to a routine of regular exercise, so try where possible to stick to the same routine but also allowing for plenty of time in the field.
Spending too much time stabled as some competition horses do, can be an implicating fact in causing ulcers due to long periods of starvation from less than adequate forage.
As your pony spends all day in the field with access to good grazing he will already be enjoying the best form of digestible fibre available but what you can do is ensure your horses’ digestive system is working efficiently to maximise fibre digestion, especially during the winter months when the grass will be replaced by hay.
Feeding the leisure horse can sometimes be a challenge, trying to balance energy levels and weight and it can be very easy to overestimate the energy requirements of a leisure horse.
Fibre should form the basis of any horses diet, and in the leisure horse in particular, the question should be asked, ‘does the horse really need a concentrate feed at all?’
This is where a balance must be struck between feeding sufficient energy levels to maintain weight whilst controlling the energy levels in a horse that is not ridden as often as he once was.
Supplementing the diet with yeast cultures can help reduce hind gut acidity, creating the optimum conditions for the beneficial bacteria to flourish, improving digestion, as well as nutrient absorption.
Lifeforce Formula the supplement from Alltech is specially designed for horses in moderate activity and breeding horses, supporting fermentation of feeds and forages in the caecum, Lifeforce Formula enables your horse to extract the maximum nutrients from all feed sources.
His body shape will have changed now the level of intensity of his workload has decreased so it is vital to get a qualified saddle fitter to check your saddle fits properly to avoid any unnecessary discomfort and also have his teeth regularly checked by a qualified dentist as keeping his teeth healthy will be key to maintaining his weight during his advancing years.
While as a leisure horse your pony might not look the supreme athlete he once was, with the correct care and nutrition he can have many years looking in great condition.
Alltech has developed the Lifeforce Range of all-natural daily digestive aid supplements. These products are designed to benefit horses at every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals.
For further information please visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512
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