Feeding straights

[Annette4]

I'm looking at moving to feeding straights but finding the info as confusing as feeding mixes!

I have two; one a rising 3yo who i have no idea on breeding bat mum was a 12hh cob type and she is a fine girly. She drops weight during a growth spurt but otherwise ok to keep weight on. Other is a 4.5yo cob cross (newfie x cob but VERY cob). He's held his weight well over the winter and at the moment and doesn't seem to be expanding thankfully but I watch him carefully.

Coblet can be spooky so don't want to give him any extra fizz.

They are out 24/7 with large bale haylage through the winter. Coblet has a handfull of horse and pony nuts and handful of chaff after working. Baby pony has 3/4 scoop of conditioning cubes and a handfull of chaff atm.

Talk me through what you would be looking at feeding them?

 

[JillA]

Personally I would be feeding a base feed of non mollassed beet like Speedybeet. Then something with protein for the immune system and tissue renewal, probably slightly more for the growing youngster. Alfalfa pellets is what I use, although here is a reasonable amount in the beet, but I have underweight and old to cope with. Then any supplements you feel they need, and a decent vitamin and mineral one to ensure they have all their needs met. If you want a little more weight or energy, micronised linseed or an oil of some sort - the basic needs are fibre, protein and vits/minerals. Cereals are okay for little and often but aren't usually necessary and cause more problems than they solve due to the starch content.
I hear the Coursera Equine Nutrition course is going to be run again, has lots of information on the digestive system and their nutritional needs.

 

[Tnavas]

If they are doing well with just grass - leave it at that and supply a multi mineral lick that they can have free access to.

My 17.1hh 4yr old has only had one winter of hard feed.

Unless you are working a horse hard they rarely need anything extra.

When grazing gets in short supply, substitute with Meadow hay.