2 Y/O Not eating her feed?

[Ally_F]

Hello, Not posted on here for a long time, but it seems I need some help!

I have just brought my new 2 y/o Quater horse home ... but she's not eating her hard feed! - she doesn't seem to know what to do with it, she wont take treats either, as again she doesn't seem to know what to do with them?

This is the first time she has left the breeders, who used to feed hayledge in winter, and left out with grass in the summer, so no hard feed.

Any ideas how I can get her used to eating hard feed? as there is not much grass in their field and hay isn't going to be enough for her.

... on a separate note, she is very good, and will pick her feet up, but doesn't hold them up for long without almost falling over. Any ideas how I can get her to keep her legs up longer, without giving her treats?

She is just lovely in every other way - and amazingly well behaved.

added a photo to encourage replies

FYI - Her name is Dakota (Dixie for short)

Thanks!!

 

[Spyda]

I wouldn't worry TBH. She's inevitably not very hungry if she's out at grass 24/7 ATM. Mine loves hardfeed but wont eat it ATM. She's simply not hungry enough to be bothered. I expect your youngster will soon start eating once the weather starts to cool and she starts getting an appetite built up.

 

[Alexart]

Unless she is very thin - which by the pic she looks just right! - then she really doesn't need any hard feed, your grazing looks good too so I wouldn't be worried, it is better for growing youngsters to be a bit on the lean side than fat. I never feed any of my youngsters unless they are lacking a bit after weaning in their first winter - they only have add lib good quality haylage in winter along with a vitamin lick, and just grass and a lick in summer, and that does them brilliantly!! If you are worried about vitamins then put a vitamin lick in the field along with a mineralised salt lick which you should have anyway.
Horses learn by example regarding feed, so if you are wanting her to get a tiny bit in winter, if you have poor quality hay, then let her try and eat out of other horses buckets, even if they are not on hard feed just put a bit in the bottom and let her see and smell them eating it - she will soon get the idea!!
As for her feet - how long have you had her? I would allow a good few weeks of getting to know and trust you before asking any more than what she has been doing at her previous home, it's a big step for a baby to leave their safe familiar environment and people and go somewhere new, so be patient!!
As for rewards - I always give them a really good scratch when they have done as asked rather than treats, mainly because I don't want biting, pocket raiding or fights in the field when I'm out amongst them!!

 

[Ally_F]

Ok, seems like I'm panicking far too much then! Thank you very much!

I don't treat my other boy for those same reasons (he's 19! lol), so I don't no why I felt that she got special treatment just because she's young.

thanks again - that has definitely put my mind to rest

 

[Starwind]

Have you any other horses around that she can share a bucket with? they pick up on what the others are doing and soon get the hang of things. i'm sure she will be fine. Just needs some time to settle.

 

[Kaylum]

Have you had her teeth check and when you had her vetted did the vet check her front teeth to make sure they werent worn down. I know you probably have LOL!