Feeding hay to horses out 247

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Marmi452

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Hi all, I have decided as per a previous post to take on a sole use yard. My horses can now winter out but have the opportunity to bring in when needed(weather permitting). This is the first time ever I have been allowed 247 365 a year so just wanting some guidance on feeding hay and when to start.... Both ponies are overweight, will be in no work as such and the paddock has not been over grazed so has grass atm. Obviously I will be monitoring their weight but wanted to know if there are some signs to watch out for as well as weight loss. I have bulk brought hay so I have it on tap but ideally I want them to go in to spring slimmer..
So do I just put hay out straight away. . ad lib or rationed as both are fatties and will no stop eat if given the chance
Wait to see a dip in weight then start hay in field

Any advice would be appreciated x
 
If they are ponies, overweight and there is some length to the grass then I wouldn’t hay just yet while it’s mild.
There won’t be too much goodness in the grass but there will be enough fibre to keep them going whilst hopefully slimming down a bit.
If we hit a cold snap then yes pop a bit out but I wouldn’t ad-lib if you have weight loss in mind
 
I wouldn’t worry yet. If it gets really cold you could hang a couple of nets up. The chances are if they don’t need it they’ll prefer the grass anyway.
 
If you have good grass left, don't hay yet. I have an Arab and a Welsh D out 24/7 and we currently have loads of grass. They are leaving their bucket feeds and I don't anticipate having to hay until into January. I tend to judge by a variety of factors - how much grass they have left, what the weather is like and whether they seem hungry. Once they start trotting over and whinnying impatiently at me I'll be able to tell they're hungry!

I have never fed ad lib in multiple years of them living out. They have just never needed it. I will start with a section each (small bales) and build up as needed.
 
How much land and how much grass? If the answer is lots to both questions then I would strip graze the land so as not to waste your "standing hay". It also makes poo picking a lot easier.

My fatties get 24hr access to a large round bale of barley straw, in a bale net, in a ring feeder. The net really does reduce waste and a bale is lasting my three, three weeks at the moment but goes a bit longer in summer, I stand the feeder on a concrete yard which is under cover so the ground does not get churned up round it and the wet weather is not a problem.
 
We feed big bale haylage in field with 3 out 24/7, I’ve opened it this weekend as although fat I don’t want them to eat field bare as would just end up mud.
They’ve hardly touched it though!
 
I wouldn't feed hay until they start to lose weight, if it gets bare as long as it not cut up it will recover better than ever in spring. If it gets poached I would have a sacrifice strip and give them their daily rations on their.
Mine are far too fat, last year they only got hay in the snow and they got down to a ready for spring weight, then went on to a track system over the summer. They went on to poor grass a month a go and now are back to being too fat. This is with no rugs and no shelter. Be careful you do not kill them with kindness.
 
I've got my two cobs out 24/7 at the moment, and unrugged. I bring them in for a feed of Speedibeet and Dengie Hi Fi mollasses free plus a scoop each of Benevit Advance supplement, once a day.

They've got plenty of pasture to not only eat but be able to move around on if they do get cold, and plenty of shelter e.g. trees/hedges if needed.

They're young (5 & 7), have enough fat, aren't doing a great deal only gentle hacking, and have good thick cobby coats.

Am not feeding hay yet and don't intend to for a good while yet; if we get snow on the ground I'd perhaps think about it then, but am not panicking right now.
 
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