Feeding query???

[jodiew]

Right i posted the other day about my horse now been turned out 24/7 and wondered if the grass would be enough for him, well last night when i brought him in i swear i heard his belly rumbling?!?!

Would it be ok if everytime i went down which is usually every other day to give him just a scoop of AlfaA and sum nuts? or would i have to do this every day??

Sorry if i have confused anyone.

Jodie x

 

[Emma27]

IMO he would need regular feeding, you can`t just feed him whenever you vist, BTW why don`t you go every day or does someone else keep an eye out for him? with regards to feeding him, if you think he is still hungry i would give him some Dengie hi fi/chaff and maybe some h&p nuts with an everyday vit/ min supplement if he isn`t doing any work, but please don`t feed him one day and then not the next he will go hungry on the days you don`t feed him not to mention the upset it would cause his digestive system and may cause all sorts of bother like colic for instance.

 

[asbo]

i feed the big lad daily all year round even though we have way to much grass, he still needs it

feeding every other day is not good for them

 

[jodiew]

I can't get down every day so someone else at my yard checks on him for me.

Ok thanks for the help, alot people said he would be fine on just grass, the thing is that when i brought him in yesterday a put him some hay in his stable and before he was in the field all day was eating it straight away, but yesterday he didnt touch it, so am i just worrying about nothing?

 

[Theresa_F]

Mine get a small feed of a handful of very low cal lucie stalks, a handful of cubes and a couple of carrots with supplements twice a day - at the moment they have plenty of grass so this is more of a vit and mineral snack.

When the grass dies down, I will increase the feeds accordingly.

 

[jodiew]

I dont really o what to do for the best, i am worried i will do the wrong thing as i have only just gone on to diy, i used to be on full livery so i am really sorry if i am being thick

 

[fairhill]

His grumbling belly is quite likely due to it being full of grass. Mine are only getting fed now if they've been ridden (scoop of safe and sound) as a treat, as they are getting enough nutrients and calories from the grass.
They're not eating when they come in either - just standing with their heads over the door, groaning!

 

[jodiew]

yeah that is what he was doing as all last week when he was in he was having loads of hay and he just wasnt interested yesterday.

i just dont want to do anything worng as i know the whole feeding thing is like a mine field!!

There is another pure tb in the field with him and i was talking to his owner, and she said they moved there in December an he was like a bag of bones but he has been out all the time an he looks brilliant now!

 

[fairhill]

If you want to learn more about feeding then this certificate/course is really good (plus you get a t-shirt and jumper when you pass!). And it's free to do.

http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/feedingexplained/hofka.htm

 

[jodiew]

Thank you so much for the help

 

[samuelhorse]

hey, thanks for that. Just sent off for the baileys test sheet.
Grumbling tums I believe is just a sign of gas moving through the gut!
As long as he is in good condition and got the energy to do the job you ask of him then he should be fine.
i have that problem, but my boy is good doer and in starvy and demands to be fed twice a day - thought summer was supposed to be a doddle!!!!!