Feeding gurus...looking for inspiration

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Hedwards

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So, I've agreed a sale on a new horse, he's passed his vetting and I'm collecting him on Saturday, to say I'm excited is an understatement!!!

I'm trying to get organised, and get as much ready for him as possible and want to get some feed in stock ready for him

Currently he's out 24/7 and in little/no work, when he comes to me he'll go out during the day on good grazing and come in at night, and i'll be building up his workload slowly... its been a while since I've had to actually feed a horse (Connie just gets 1 mug of fast fibre and her supplements). The new ned is a 16hh TB, 9 years old, hes currently at a good weight, just needs muscle/topline. He isnt a poor doer but will need feeding through winter/as his workload increases (according to his current owner)

So what would you recommend feeding (obviously will be introduced slowly)?
 
While you're getting used to him I honestly don't think I'd feed anything but good hay. ATM you don't know how he'll react to feeds and the last thing you want is to give him something that'll make him loopy, then you end up with a horse who's totally different to the one you tried out. I have a friend who events (Int) a WB with a tendency to skinny; he gets nothing at all bar hay. My big horse hunts on nothing but good hay and a bit of Safe & Sound, with a little bit of Speedibeet if he drops too much condition.

I honestly wouldn't feed anything until it's really needed. Maybe a handful of chaff if you want to feel like he's getting his "tea".
 
chestnut cob said:
While you're getting used to him I honestly don't think I'd feed anything but good hay. ATM you don't know how he'll react to feeds and the last thing you want is to give him something that'll make him loopy, then you end up with a horse who's totally different to the one you tried out. I have a friend who events (Int) a WB with a tendency to skinny; he gets nothing at all bar hay. My big horse hunts on nothing but good hay and a bit of Safe & Sound, with a little bit of Speedibeet if he drops too much condition.

I honestly wouldn't feed anything until it's really needed. Maybe a handful of chaff if you want to feel like he's getting his "tea".
Click to expand...

See this is something I've been trying to tell myself... and was going to bung him a bit of Fast Fibre (same as my mare gets), but just feel like a TB in work needs more than my good doer retired mare. Our haylage is fantastic quality, and grazing is good, so maybe i'll take your advice for now. Thank you!
 
Fibre Fibre Fibre!

Horses get 50% of their calorie yield from fermenting fibre in the hind gut...so focus on fibre rather than grains.

Fast Fibre, unmolassed beet, unmolassed chaff (straw or hay - be cautious of alfalfa).

I would feed the same as the Connie.

Micronised linseed can provide the omega oils and amino acids for joints, coat, gut and hoof.

If you need more - soya is another source of fibre (depending on your political stance on soya ;))

Keep the combined sugar and starch level under 10% if possible.

Ignore the brand name and bumpf on the bag - look at the ingredients instead :)
 
I agree with the others that to start with I would stick to ad lib hay/haylage and a bit of Fast Fibre if that is what you already have in stock. Do you know what the previous owners used to feed when the horse was in work?
 
TGM said:
I agree with the others that to start with I would stick to ad lib hay/haylage and a bit of Fast Fibre if that is what you already have in stock. Do you know what the previous owners used to feed when the horse was in work?
Click to expand...

Yeah, a cereal based course mix or similar... not something i'm likely to feed,

Think, i'll plan to go ahead with the FF for now as you've all suggested (may pop some equibites in for vits & mins), and if he needs an extra something through the winter I'll try something like Spillers Conditioning fibre (7% starch) or something like A&P L Mix...

Thanks everyone!!
 
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Oberon said:
Fibre Fibre Fibre!

Horses get 50% of their calorie yield from fermenting fibre in the hind gut...so focus on fibre rather than grains.

Fast Fibre, unmolassed beet, unmolassed chaff (straw or hay - be cautious of alfalfa).

I would feed the same as the Connie.

Micronised linseed can provide the omega oils and amino acids for joints, coat, gut and hoof.

If you need more - soya is another source of fibre (depending on your political stance on soya ;))

Keep the combined sugar and starch level under 10% if possible.

Ignore the brand name and bumpf on the bag - look at the ingredients instead :)
Click to expand...

Where do you get your micronised linseed from?

and currently have no political stance on soya... didnt even know it was possible :D
 
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