Eating less hay ?

[Horseback Rider]

My TB has been out 24/7 most of the winter on good grazing, however he has had to come in at night now and out in the day with some grazing and some hay in the field . Last winter I was at a different yard where the grazing was rubbish and my horse was kind of depressed as he couldn't really see any other horses he also ate his way through huge amounts of hay ! No matter how much I gave him he never had any left in the morning.

Now at new yard he is eating the hay in the field and some at night but not all of it, he doesn't seem to be hungry and is still eating his hard feed.He also seems to lay down and sleep in his stable which he never did at the old yard? It's good hay, and he hasn't lost weight so should I be concerned ? I kind of think that if he is hungry he will eat it and I don't feed him haylage as he has a delicate stomach and I try to keep him on everything as natural as possible.

 

[Miss L Toe]

Not sure why you should be concerned, he is happy and is eating, what more does he need?

 

[spottyUnicorn]

Sounds like your horse is happy to me. Mine sometimes leaves hay overnight and other times scoffs the lot and hoovers up the floor. If is colder he tends to eat it all up, but it also depends a lot on the growth of the grass. He's on good grazing and when its having a spirt (like it seemed to a few weeks back when it was really mild) he stopped eating so much hay overnight. Still eats but always leaves some hay in his nets. I guess he would rather leave space for more grass in the morning!

 

[now_loves_mares]

Sounds like your horse is happy to me. Mine sometimes leaves hay overnight and other times scoffs the lot and hoovers up the floor. If is colder he tends to eat it all up, but it also depends a lot on the growth of the grass. He's on good grazing and when its having a spirt (like it seemed to a few weeks back when it was really mild) he stopped eating so much hay overnight. Still eats but always leaves some hay in his nets. I guess he would rather leave space for more grass in the morning!

Agree with this. Also horses won't lie down if they feel stressed/threatened, so I'd say it's a sign your horse is settled in his new home. Obviously watch his weight (use a weigh tape at least, not just by eye) but as the weather has been relatively mild this year, up to now at least, he's maybe just not as hungry! The bit above about eating more when cold is also true, digestive of fibre in the hind gut is their central heating.