Feeding a laid-back 4 yo

golddustsara

golddustsara

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Got my connie youngster a month ago today
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and he is so laid back its brill, but he is a little too laid back to ride which was completely different to when I tried him. Whilst I'm pleased he has a wonderful sensible temprement I am questioning what I'm feeding as a possible reason for him being a little horizontal.

When I bought him he was on mix and Alfa A plus speedibeet but for a little connemara I thought that was a bit much so switched him onto Hi-Fi, cubes and balancer.

Obviously he is young and won't have a lot of stamina as we are still building up and taking things gently but I suppose I'm wondering if I should move to a higher fibre, higher oil diet to help him out a bit? As he is a good-doer native I don't want to be pumping him full of starch.

Naww I am so pleased he is so brill though, he hacks out alone already, he is easy to do, affectionate..... Swoon..... I recommend native ponies to all adults! Must get some pics up of him soon!
 
You're right I just wanted to be helping him nutrition wise as much as possible.

I'm trying to keep the exercise as varied as possible with plenty of hacking mixed in with one or two schooling sessions per week (one professional sess) so I'm sure the spark will come. Instead I should be counting my lucky stars I have such a well-behaved lad.
 
I agree with the other poster - leave well alone if his weight is good etc. Just be happy you have a nice, relaxed youngster. My sister's 4 yo was so laid back he was horizontal out hacking and she used to moan. However, when jumping he's a different horse. He's 11 now and is still laid back but has the spark when needed.

Energy etc comes with age learning - you may be lucky, he may always be laid back.

When I got my 4 yo (16 years ago) he was very chilled but was being fed tonnes of oats as was doing BSJA so I continued with the oats. He still seemed to struggled doing a lot of work. He was very narrow chested and used to seem to hyperventilate if asked to do too much. I just had to be careful with his fittening. However, he did seem to tire easily so i had the vet do some tests and he was slightly anaemic.

If you are very worried about his energy then maybe have the vet take some bloods but if you think he's just laid back then jsut enjoy it! once he starts learning more about life in general he'll have his 'moments' i am sure but he may just be one of those laid back chaps. Mine is conn x TB and he has always been pretty easy going.
 
Also he may just lack a little confidence a month isn't long at all, give him time to get to know you (3 months) then see how he is. My bet is he won't be the same pony!!
 
i would leave him be - if he is relaxed, happy and keeping the weight, there seems no need to change his diet - wait till the spring grass comes through!
 
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