Feeding The Fussy Mare With Suspected Ulcers
Elizabeth contacted Saracen in March after struggling all winter to keep weight on her mare, Betty, a 15.2hh, 7 year old, ex-racehorse.
Elizabeth had tried a variety of different feeds but found they either didn't keep Betty's weight on, or they lead to excitable behaviours. Elizabeth also found that Betty was getting more and more fussy with her feed and, after speaking with her vet, began treating Betty for gastric ulcers in February. Despite the treatment, and feeding large quantities of hard feed, Betty was still not gaining weight so Elizabeth reached out to Saracen. A ration was developed by a member of the nutritional team and it was advised that Betty start being fed Re-Leve®, to provide her with a high level of calories, but with a very low starch level.
"After getting my horse last year I struggled to find a feed that would help my mare put on weight without making her fizzy. I tried beet, conditioning mash, linseed etc. None of which seemed to make any significant difference (although she did put on some weight, just not as much as I would have liked) and she reacted very badly to linseed. I decided to contact Saracen after she came out of winter just looking dreadful with suspected ulcers and not eating certain feeds.
She had been on Re-Leve and Dengie Molasses Free for a week and my oh my what an immediate difference! She had filled out so much and not a rib in sight. She looked the best she has ever looked after only 2 and a bit weeks on her new feed. Really started to feel the difference in her ridden work too she just felt much stronger and generally happier. I think the pictures speak for themselves, she looks fantastic."
Feeding fussy horses can be tricky which is why several products in the Saracen range contain flavours to entice horses to clear up at feeding time and ensure they are getting a balanced diet. A blackcurrant flavour is added to Re-Leve® to help optimise palatability and aroma to tempt even the fussiest of horses. Re-Leve® is completely cereal free and is formulated on highly digestible “Super-Fibres” and oils making it suitable for horses that are prone to Equine Gastic Ulcer Syndrome or react adversely to high starch feeds.
If you would like any advice on feeding your horse, please contact our qualified nutritional team on 01622 718487 and one of our registered nutritionists will be more than happy to help.
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