Case Study: Weight Maintenance

Sir Jim Bob is a 15.1hh, 8 year old gelding who was brought by his owner Kelly for hacking round the country lanes.  However, it wasn't long before she realised what a star he was and what a good jump he had!  Since then they haven't looked back and now Jim Bob is a really good all-rounder.  Kelly contacted the Dengie Feedline as she was struggling to find a balance between keeping Jim Bob's weight under control and having enough energy or "sparkle" during competition as he is such a laid back character.

Suggested Ration:

• 1kg of Hi-Fi Original (4 large round scoops) per day
• Handful of Naked Oats when needed
• 1.5 meaures of Dengie Natural Vitality Leisure Vits & Mins per day

Hi-Fi Original is a combination of alfalfa and straw with a light molasses coating.  Hi-Fi Original is ideal for horses in light work or those that maintain condition with ease.  The inclusion of alfalfa makes Hi-Fi Original much more than just a chaff, with good quality protein to help promote "top-line" and naturally occuring vitamins and minerals that promote good coat condition.  Jim Bob literally has a bucketful of Hi-Fi Original, which can be split into a couple of feeds or left in the stable overnight for Jim Bob to munch on.

To promote "sparkle" or "oomph" it was suggested that Dengie Naked Oats should be used.  Naked Oats are a variety of oats grown without a husk and are very energy dense.  To avoid unwanted weight gain it was suggested that the Naked Oats only be fed to Jim Bob when they are needed.  For example, if Jim Bob is competing on a Saturday they can be gradually added to the ration by the handful from the Thursday.  After the competition they should be reduced or removed so that excess energy is not supplied when it isn't needed.

Since changing the ration Kelly and Jim Bob came 3rd in their first one-day event, actually being placed 1st in the dressage, with plenty of fuel left in the tank, but they still get to hack quietly round the country lanes too.