Feed advice

[Natasha To]

Hi

I have a gypsy cob (at rest atm) approx 11 years old 13hh & a colt who is 2.5

(as well as two Shetlands)

I’ve moved them to a field from a livery a couple of months ago and all are living out 24/7 with a hay bale in each paddock (Shetlands are Sep to the ponies)
I’m receiving various advice re feed. I know in general a cob doesn’t need a hard feed but should I be getting him any minerals?
The colt being so young again I wonder if he needs a top up?
Shetland wise (one is always on the weighty side)

we did used to have the colt on alpha a oil each day and a hay net over night in a stable with access to hay in a hard standing in the day.(when he was at a livery) however now out 24/7

The field they are in has no real grass supply atm as it’s mainly mud so I just wondered if I can be pointed in the right direction (they are all rescue ponies) and having sought advise from the rescue centre they said hay only however friends have said otherwise..

Thanks!

 

[twiggy2]

If the forage is good quality and ad lib then that's all I would feed the ponies.
If one of thw shetlands is weighty then I would look at reducing access to food, easier said than done but restrict the area they have, remove the hay as long as there is some grass-fed only need a very small amount.

 

[Natasha To]

Thankyou, they have access to the hay bale 24/7. Grass is Very limited now since the weather.

Shetlands I do try to limit their access to the hay. (they have no grass now
It’s more the cobs I was worried about as they literally just have the hay (which they are getting through a round bale in about 15 days between them) I wasn’t sure if I should be topping up/ getting any other form of vitamins for them.

It’s more the cobs I was worried about as they literally just have the hay (which they are getting through a round bale in about 15 days between them) I wasn’t sure if I should be topping up/ getting any other form of vitamins for them.

 

[twiggy2]

I honestly wouldn't, horses are designed to get all they need from their forage, that changes when we work them or keep them in etc.

 

[Natasha To]

Thankyou I thought as much been keeping an eye on weight etc but had several saying I was doing wrong so thought I ought to check as I’m rather a novice but ensured I have sought advice/ read up etc

much appreciated Thankyou

 

[Leo Walker]

I honestly wouldn't, horses are designed to get all they need from their forage, that changes when we work them or keep them in etc.

Except they don't. Grass and hay in the UK is notoriously unbalanced. I cant access them at work but I've got photos that show a dramatic difference in my cobs feet before and after starting equimins.

Mine get equimins advance complete, but any no iron, high copper and zinc mineral balancer would be ok. Equimins comes pelleted so you wouldn't need to add any other feed to it.