Do you feed differently in the cold weather?

[kit279]

I've been feeding mine more hard feed (principally more Speedibeet) since the snow started because they're out 24/7, albeit with access to barn shelter. They have access to adlib hay but I have noticed that they are eating less and wonder whether I should stop the extra hard feed. I mainly give them the extra beet as I can give it to them hot and get quite a bit of water into them at the same time. However, they are not getting worked at the moment so I wonder if I am overfeeding. Would not like for them to be hungry though..

What are you all doing feed-wise?

 

[cptrayes]

more haylage and less hard food for mine while I can't get out because of the snow.

I'm not sure I'd count speedibeet as truly "hard feed", it's mostly fibre, so almost the same as feeding exta haylage only it's quicker to eat.

 

[sugarlump121]

My boys are on ad lib hayledge overnight anyway but since theres been a bad frost on the ground Ive been putting a big bag of hayledge out in the day too for them to share however today I stayed down the field filling up bags of hayledge and noticed my big horse walked off and was more interested in the frozen grass!

 

[Boysy]

Speedibeet and a few more Tiger Oats in their bellies, i don't ad lib hay as one of them doesn't know when to stop so he'd eat his share then all the rest as he's boss.

 

[lucythomas]

my girl is in at about 2.30/3 we're under 4 inches of snow so theres no grass & the yard owner only puts ad lib hay out for the grass liveries. she has a warm feed when she comes in & more hay to keep her warm & has just been given a large horselyx to keep her entertained!! Normal morning & evening feeds though.

 

[rubyrumba]

I make the sugar beet with boiling water and make it more watery so they have warmer, wetter feeds. Its frozen if i leave it out!

 

[Sarah Sum1]

I thought the title read, 'do you 'feel' differently in the cold weather' I was going to put, yes colder

 

[legaldancer]

As mine can't work in this snow I've cut the nuts by a third & upped the beet & chop a bit.

 

[Puppy]

Beans thinks Father Christmas has been early as she's being allowed haylage, instead of plain hay!

 

[Ranyhyn]

The same, but he has been in, so more hay

 

[stencilface]

More hay when they're turned out and nice hot water over their food to make it nice. Haven't changed the hard feed as they are stil being turned out, although not ridden.

I also emptied a bag of carrots on the ground for them this morning which seemed to go down rather well

 

[HayleyandBob]

Iv reduced the nuts (apart from the old man, if upped his) and increased the speedi beet

Im giving them a bucket of beet and chaff with warm water at lunch time each which goes down well !