Feeding advice please?

[Lowen Ki]

Hi there,

I am after some advice from you feeding experts! I've never fed a pony like this before and want to get it right. Currently he is just fed a couple of handfuls of chaff with some garlic, but I'm concerned that with the shift in workload he'll have with me this might not be appropriate!

Probably worth mentioning that at the moment he is really rather on the porky side

Ok here are the stats:

14.2
Gelding
7 years old
Currently lightly schooled once per week, and hacked once or twice (he will generally be worked 6 days with me, with one day travelling in the lorry to dressage training or a competion)
Turned out to graze overnight & in during the day (this will stay the same with me)

He really needs to get fit and lose the belly, but I don't want to starve him of nutrients as I'm hoping he'll start to build some good quality muscle.

Any advice would be gratefully received - thanks!

 

[fidleyspromise]

If he was mine, I would start with a handful of chaff and v+m supplement and then see how he goes.
You can always add to this, if he needs more energy etc.

I work on the premise less is better.
For example: My 14.2, 9yr old is on grass 24/7 - ridden 4 times a week average for 45 mins schooling or 3 hours hacking. She has plenty of energy and is a nice weight.

 

[Lowen Ki]

Brilliant thanks, ive never fed a v&m supp before (only ever feed balancers) are there any that are better quality/ better value for money?

 

[Nari]

I'd go for a low calorie balancer, either on it's own or with a low calorie chaff. And if you're really worried about his weight I'd soak his daytime hay &/or muzzle him at night.

 

[ISHmad]

Upping the exercise incrementally is going to really help him. We feed our good doers Top Chop Lite and Top Spec Anti Lam balancer to make sure they are getting all their vitamins and minerals. The other thing that has worked well for us has been using Paddock Paradise type tracks in the field so they move around a lot more. Not all yards will allow this though.

 

[Lowen Ki]

Thanks guys this is great, ISHmad what are Paddock Paradise tracks?! I'll gradually up his workload over a period of weeks and I also definitely think I'll soak his hay - good tip thanks!