feed before hunt?

[Lauraoscardillon]

hey guys

this is my first season hunting (well it was before the snows meant i havnt even got on my boys for nearly 5 weeks!!! :O :O) and i was wondering if people ever fed anything before a hunt? i know horses shouldnt do hard exercise on a full stomach and all that but i know when im out i get hungry so i cant help but think he does too! is a small amount of feed acceptable or is it better to feed a larger hard feed the night before? he has access to hay all night

thanks x

 

[cptrayes]

I always feed mine their normal breakfast. I've never heard of not feeding before hunting. Hard food does not stay long in their stomach and their belly is full of hay anyway unless you take that away the night before.

 

[Lauraoscardillon]

i usually feed him some mix and a small amount of chaff before a hunt to give him some energy. but in a normal breakfast he has sugar beat chaff mix and some conditioning cubes. perhaps he could have that without the sugar beat cos that fills him up more?

thanks

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Would keep the sugar beet in as keeps the feed damp and they beta to have wot they used to, long as u give it early enough then I'll b fine prop at least two hours before u leave depending on how quick they eat, def don't starve them in mornin but also don't give just before u go, same as a show really, take some polo s wit u as well!!

 

[Lauraoscardillon]

ok cheers! il put this into practice when the snow decides to finally go away!!!

 

[HoHum]

I give him a normal feed as early as I can... depending on the meet it could be as late as 11.30 - 11.45 before he gets his first canter, so minimum four hours to digest his breakfast.

 

[Lauraoscardillon]

ok il try this next time! hel be pleased to have a bigger breakfast on hunt mornings haah thanks xx

 

[JenHunt]

I feed my lad normal breakfast on a hunting morning, but make sure that he's finished an hour before we load up.

 

[star]

i feed fibre so dont worry about it. he's often just finished just before i load up but that still gives him a good hour before we move off. if i was feeding anything with cereals in it i'd want them finished a good hour before travelling.