In most instances when feeding your OTTB it is a case of wanting to put some condition on them, especially at this time of year as we head into winter. As often it is early in their education it is a great idea to start them on a ‘cool’ feeding regime but one that will also contribute valuable calories for weight gain and fibre for optimum digestive health.
There are some key Dunstan products that form a suitable feeding programme for these lovely horses.
Fibre of course is key in any diet so access to pasture and if pasture is limited some good quality hay/haylage.
In regard to the concentrate feed Dunstan Maxim Low-GI is a super starting point. Low in starch Dunstan Maxim Low-GI is ‘non heating’, however more calorie dense than traditional ‘coolfeeds’, ideal for the weight gain desired. Dunstan Maxim Low-GI includes a full profile of vitamins and minerals, utilising organic minerals and Natural Vitamin E and the inclusion of a live yeast to aid digestion.
The addition of Dunstan Betabeet, a super fibre, will provide a high fibre supplement to enhance digestive health as well as contribute to meeting the horses daily fibre requirements. A ‘super fibre’ beet has a similar calorie contribution to oats but as it is low in starch and sugar it is non-heating.
For those particularly ‘hard keepers’ vegetable oils are a must. They again provide a very calorie dense supplement, are non-heating and require the horse to eat no more volume of feed to intake more calories for weight gain. Dunstan Trifecta Oil is a highly palatable blended oil to include.
For more information or queries regarding feeding the OTTB, contact Dunstan Nutrition Ltd.
Gretel Webber
Equine Nutritionist Assoc.Dip.App.Sc, BBus, MSc Equine
Dunstan Nutrition Ltd
