Dropping a feed...

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kirstyhoneyb

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My mare currently gets two feeds a day (stubbs scoop of A&P Calm & Condition, 2 scoops Alfa A oil, little bit of speedibeet split into two meals).
She was pretty underweight when I got her in September but she now looks ok, she could do to put a bit more on but I think that will come on in spring when she gets the spring grass.
What Im wondering is when I should start thinking about dropping her down to one feed (half of what she gets now). I dont want to do it to early that she drops weight but dont want her to balloon.
 
If she still has further to go, leave her for a good month or so yet. When you need to watch is around March time when the spring grass comes though, then you may want to drop her to 2/3 of what she's on now, and if she's still looking fine a few weeks later, then drop to 1/2 of what she's on now. But keep 2 feeds if poss - it's best to feed little and often.
 
Buy a tape measure and take a reading of her belly twice a week. You'll see when she puts weight on.

In the SW the 2010 grass has already started to grow although it is still very short. My huzzy of a mare evaded the electric fence and went into an used patch today and she was eating that fresh grass so I now know it is already tasty.

I have already cut back on her pasture mix but I gave more HiFi light. She always gets 2 meals a day - even though some of it is largely chaff. She gets ample hay.

I watch the temperature - it is still cold at night - so she needs some energy to keep her warm. I make sure she has a rug with a hood if near O deg C

Only you can tell when to cut the food for your horse - keep some records and maybe take some photos regularly of her flanks.

But beware, we have had one case of Laminitis already this year.
 
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