Am i Over Feeding My Horse?

ShowJumperBeckii

ShowJumperBeckii

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just wondered while shes staying in should i decrease her food?
she gets

breakfast
1/4 alfla a oils
1/2 mix
1/4 speedy beet

dinner :
1/2 alfa a oils
3/4 mix
1/2 speedy beet
+ supplements

and about 12-14lb of hayledge twice a day
shes a 15.1hh currently doing nothing, just its hard to keep weight on her
 
What mix are you giving Her ? My advice is phone up the feed manufacturer of the feed you give her. I always give Dodson and horrell a call a couple of times a year i.e winter and summer or for example this summer we have been doing lots of travelling so wanted advice on a something to feed her to maintain condition but not gain weight and the advice has always been very helpful.
 
carefreegirl said:
What mix are you giving Her ? My advice is phone up the feed manufacturer of the feed you give her. I always give Dodson and horrell a call a couple of times a year i.e winter and summer or for example this summer we have been doing lots of travelling so wanted advice on a something to feed her to maintain condition but not gain weight and the advice has always been very helpful.
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D&H mix and oh ok thanks a good idea thanks :)
 
BSJAShowjumper123, are working/loose schooling her like you were going to? If so, I wouldn't significantly reduce her feed as she doesn't get any grazing, so if anything, she gets less nutrition than normally.
 
If she is confined to the stable and not getting turnout or being worked, then I would suggest cutting out the mix and increasing the Alfa A Oil and Speedibeet to compensate. (Would be a good idea to ring someone like Dengie for an idea of quantities). You might want to add Pink Powder as well to ensure enough vit/mins and that she can make the most of the food she gets. Mixes are usually high in cereals and therefore starch, which can cause problems in box rested horses. Much better to use fibre-based foods such as alfalfa, beet and grass products to keep her weight on. Also, ensure that she has haylage available at all times in the stable as this will stop her getting bored and will help keep her weight on.
 
You dont have to keep her in due to ringworm, just dont let her mix with other horses if she's out. And I wouldn't keep her in long term just because "she's hard to keep weight on" - you'll likely find she'll increase in weight if kept out with good grass and/or ab-lib hay.
 
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