Case Study: Hi-Fi Lite

Deborah first e-mailed the Dengie Feedline (feeds@dengie.com) in October as her horse Cai a 6 year old, 16hh sports horse had been diagnosed with suspected laminitis. Deborah was keen to use the most appropriate feed for Cai’s laminitis but also wanted her to lose a little weight.

As Cai was stabled due to her laminitis this was an ideal time to start a weight management program as it is easier to monitor a horse’s feed intake when they’re not at grass. To help promote gradual weight loss dieting horses should have their feed intake restricted to 1.5% of their bodyweight. For Cai, who weighed around 500kg, this was 7.5kg total feed per day.

Suggested Ration

• Hay 5kg
  Hi-Fi Lite 2.5kg (8 large round scoops)
• Natural Vitality Leisure Vits & Mins 1 ½ measures (96g)

Deborah was advised to split Cai's daily ration into lots of small meals spread as evenly as possible throughout the day so that Cai did not spend any significant period of time without feed. Using two small holed haynets and a large bucket for Hi-Fi Lite with a football or large pebbles on top are just a couple of ways in which you can keep dieting horses occupied for longer.

Hi-Fi Lite is a blend of alfalfa and soft straw with a low sugar coating and is approved by the Laminitis Trust. Hi-Fi Lite can be used as a bucket feed alongside a broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement such as Dengie Natural Vitality Leisure Vits & Mins, or as a partial or complete hay replacer.

Deborah contacted us again in February 2006 and reported that Cai had made a full recovery and had also lost weight. Although Cai now has access to grazing Deborah manages her grass intake by using a grazing muzzle. Cai is back in work and Deborah has even joined a local riding club. With all these activities it should certainly help to keep a check on Cai's waistline!

For further feeding advice contact the Dengie Feedline 0845 345 5115.