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[RC] Hard Keeper and Competition Horse... two questions - Mike Lewis

I have an older Arab gelding (27 in May) who is a very hard keeper and am
starting to see ribs and bony hips.  We've picked up his feed to half a
3lb coffee can of 10% sweet feed, half a can of senior feed, and 1/4 can
of alfalfa pellets twice a day, plus free choice hay.  He is given light
work as a school horse on weekends only.

Feed is top dressed with about 3/4 cup of corn oil.

What can I add to help him put on some weight?  Are there any special
feeds targeted to older horses who are hard keepers?  Perhaps I should cut
sweet feed back and increase the senior formula?

When I had Nafal in New Mexico I could put him on Alfalfa hay and he'd do
just fine in the wintertime.

Second issue: my new endurance mount is an 11 year old mare who I'm just
now reconditioning.  She has completed some very tough races in her
younger days, but recently weaned a baby and is just now getting back into
shape.  I am very wary of any feed targeted for endurance horses as my
expectation is that such feeds are "designer feeds" that are overhyped and
overpriced.  Still, I'm willing to consider such a feed if it provides
proven nutritional advantages.  Are there any endurance feeds that really
provide an advantage over normal performance feeds from the standard
suppliers?

Thank you,

Mike

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