Feeding a 3 year old Welsh Sec B

[Saxon_Jasmine]

Hi,

I've bought the Welsh Sec B I was bringing on over the summer and was looking for some advise as to what to feed him?

He's 3 rising 4, 13hh approx and will be ridden 2 or 3 times a week. Over the summer he was fed a handful of mix from our feed store to keep him happy when I fed my TB and had a net of hay over night.

He will be out during the day and stabled at night. He'll have hay in the field as the grass isn't great at the moment, and a net of haylage over night.

He is not the type that gets fat on breathing, but not a poor doer either.

I'd like to feed a high fibre and low starch diet, and prefrebly nothing too expensive.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

 

[Cazza525]

I have welsh b's and find it is best to feed them as little as possible as they tend to get weight problems as they get older. If you want my honest opinion I should just stick to the amount of hay/ haylege you are giving and if you really want to give hard feed (shouldn't really need it until in work) I would give a token feed of spillers happy hoof or something similar.
Sorry I sound mean, but these ponies do suffer as they get older with the dreaded laminitis if kept looking too 'good'.

 

[Saxon_Jasmine]

Thanks for the reply Cazza.

He was getting a little on the thin side coming into winter which is why I think he might need a little something to help maintain weight. I have no intention of letting him become fat, don't worry.

He will be being worked 2-4 times a week, just starting with building up muscle, fitness, etc and then hopefully get him out to a few shows in the Spring/Summer. As he is young I thought he'd need something to help him develop and give him some energy?

Please say if I'm wrong! My other horse is a poor doer TB so I'm used to a completly different feeding style.

Thank you.

 

[Cazza525]

I would definately just give him more bulk then ie. hay or haylege, adlib if possible and give him a token feed after he's worked. Just make sure you keep the fibre intake up at all times and if its nasty weather make sure he's well rugged and warm and toasty so he doesn't drop anymore weight.
Good quality hay or haylege in constant supply will soon get this little chap back on track.....maybe a couple of well stuffed haynets overnight so that he always has some left in the morning too.....