Case Study: Hay Replacer

Sarah e-mailed the Dengie Feedline (feeds@dengie.com) in October describing herself as the proud owner of a 30-year-old, 15.1hh Hackney called Driver (Pictured 1st in a local veteran class).

When Sarah bought Driver 5 years ago he was in quite poor condition with severe recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and dental problems that needed correction. Sarah describes Driver as a real credit to Dengie as he has improved and maintained his condition very well on Alfa-A Original.

Unfortunately Driver's dental problems have become worse with his advancing years and he can no longer manage haylage so Sarah was looking for a suitable alternative. Due to his RAO Driver is virtually retired, but is able to go for a potter around the country lanes in the winter months when his RAO is less severe.

Dengie Diet

• Hi-Fi Senior 6kg as a hay replacer

Fibre can seem like the enemy when older horses can no longer manage to chew long stem forage like haylage, yet maintaining an appropriate fibre intake is vital for maintaining digestive health. For Driver the next step was to try a product with a short chop length, like Dengie Hi-Fi Senior.

A blend of high temperature dried grasses and alfalfa, Hi-Fi Senior provides a similar calorie and protein level to top quality hay, but in a short chop form that is easier for the older horse to chew. As Hi-Fi Senior is high temperature dried it also offers a more sympathetic option for Driver's respiratory system providing a consistently clean forage source.

As Driver could still manage Alfa-A Original he had no problems chewing Hi-Fi Senior and found it very palatable. To ensure Driver was receiving the appropriate quantity of Hi-Fi Senior each day Sarah bought a Dengie Measuring Bucket (available on the web-site shop for just £3 to cover P&P). This is a much more practical option as a large scoop only holds approximately 300g of Hi-Fi Senior, so Sarah would have had to measure out quite a few scoops each day to get  to 6kg!

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