Feed advice for 4 year old please.

[goodtimes]

I've had my 4 year old for 8 weeks now. He is an ISH, 16hh..
Im just keeping him ticking over during winter. Lots of hacking, schooling 2x week. He will get time off during the spring.

My trainer has suggested putting him on ready mash extra to keep the weight on him but I don't want him to get fizzy as he has settled in well and seems to be taking everything in his stride.

What would you suggest?
Doesn't ready mash extra have lots of sugar in it?

Thanks in advance

 

[wellsat]

What are you currently feeding and whats his weight like at the moment?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If he needs something exra, I'd stick to grassnuts/speedibeet.

 

[goodtimes]

He is currently on ad lib hay. He has a balancer morning and evening with a handful of ready grass. That's what his last owner gave him.

His weight is not bad, but I wouldn't want him any thinner.

He had done nothing since spring so I'm guessing the move and the fact he is now being ridden has caused him to lose weight.

 

[ImmyS]

If he needs something exra, I'd stick to grassnuts/speedibeet.

Ditto this, bulk fibre with no added molasses or starch.. I would add some oil or micronised linseed to this to help with weight

 

[Highlands]

Ready mash extra is fab and no fizziness! It's slow burning . My trad cob is quite a poor doer and has 2 scoops a day and looks fab!

 

[Bedlam]

Everyone has their own favourite feed and I don't think that your instructor's suggestion is mad to be honest. I have a 3 yr old 7/8th TB that is wintering out unrugged having been backed and ridden away this autumn.

She's on a lo cal balancer and cooked cereal meal made up into a mash once a day together with a slice of hay - grass is disappearing though and I'm about to start sticking a bale of hay out a day for the pair of them so they have ad lib.

She's looking good and holding her weight, but I wouldn't want her any leaner. Baileys cooked cereal meal is non heating - don't know the details of ready mash, but I suspect it's very similar?

 

[windand rain]

I feed all mine the same just varying amounts they have alfa a oil, top spec leisure time, speedibeet, and allen a page calm and condition, The hard workers have micronised linseed and all look fabulous. they dont each much hay though

 

[McW]

My pure tb does grand on hifi lite and cheap nuts, if it gets really cold we use fast fibre. Key to maintains weight in the more bloody horses is ad lib hay

 

[goodtimes]

He has as much hay as he can eat.

 

[ImmyS]

He has as much hay as he can eat.

If he's looking fine with what he's on, but needs a little extra I would add either some grass nuts or something oil based like micronized linseed rather than changing his whole feed