Conditioning feeds for BF horse

T

TPO

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I've just changed to my horses living out; all three are doing much better in numerous way but TB has dropped condition.

He put weight on initially but now the dire weather has set in he's lost a bit. I'm aware it's normal to lose over winter but I'd prefer him to be carrying a little more than he is now. I have stables so he/they can come in if need be but he's "happier" out, new stable is between mares and he stresses off weight falling on love with mare (wasn't cut until he was 6) and he's filthy in his stable. We've had lots of hoof issues with him and he's dumbfounded a multitude of vets but in short his hooves are better when he's not standing in his swamp (his own making) of a stable.

There is still grass in the field, it's hilly and sheltered plus they have a big bake of hay constantly so are never without.

He's fed twice a day on the following:
Grass nuts
Grass chop
Linseed
Copra
Pro hoof

Having switched away from beet (fast fibre in summer and speedibeet winter) his hooves have improved dramatically ditto alfalfa and commercial chaffs. He's getting the maximum recommended of linseed and I've increased his copra (but haven't weighed it- 3/4 stubs scoop dry split over two feeds).

Any suggestions? I was thinking oats but have never fed them before so looking for guidance on quantity and method of feeding (soaked overnight??).

Horse is 16.3hh, not in work, 13yrs old, generally a good doer, unclipped, rugged according and teeth seen to by EDT every 6mths.

Thank you in advance for your help
 
I feed just straight lightly crushed oats, feed merchants own brand. I've not tried soaking as I'm on livery so try and keep it easy for the staff. About a kg split between 2 feeds with the same of copra. That's for a 16 2 Tb.

The other thing I have done to put on weight is swap part of the hay for the right type of haylage. By this I mean organic meadow or timothy, no ryegrass. However that could be difficult to incorporate for a field kept horse.
 
Thanks, I'll see what the local feed merchant has to offer oats wise after Christmas.

Haylage is a no-no as he shares the field with my others, he's previously had ulcers (ex-racer) and scoured when he "had" to be in haylage at a different yard. In defence of haylage it was the worst home produced haylage you could ever imagine so I bought in my own hay on top of livery charges.

He can come in at nights but the changes in his hooves have been so amazing that the more time out the better. I temembered to take photographs tonight so hopefully this works... https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...52733384309914.1073741837.511979913&source=43
 
My living out poor doer TB has oats as part of his diet. I've fed while oats soaked or just rolled oats- depends what I get at the feed shop. Don't know what amount he has as he eats very little due to his tiny,pathetic appetite, I'm just grateful for what he does eat! He's very fussy but really loves his oats & as he cant have many things due to him reacting badly to most feeds it was a god send discovering his love of oats! He's very hard to keep weight on but I think these help.
 
Look at saracen, I use the essential balancer and re leave, will use equijewel when grass drops. Mine thrives on good grass, are you adding hay to the field or warm enough. X
 
I fed lightly rolled oats a few years ago and they went straight through - expensive way to feed the birds! Soak if you can or you can get micronized these days.
 
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