Feeding TB?

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wizzer

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A 'friend' of mine took on a Tb type mare a couple of months ago, 8 yo not broken been a field pet for a family all it's life. She'd been kept out with shelter and a bale of hay no hard feed no rug all her life. I've seen her for the last few years on occasions and she'd always looked ok, not blooming but ok! My friend has gone away and left me to look after her for 2 weeks. Feeding instructions: tiny haynet once a day and 3 pints of quiet mix. Not in any work at all 24/7 turnout and a shelter. What would you recommend? I've put a whole bale of hay in today so she can have as much as she wants but....? The main reason i'm questioning is she's very pottery on her feet as if she has mild laminitis but no history of lameness probs ever so i wondered if too much hard food and not enough fibre? Sorry ran on a bit!!
 
No offence but if this is a friends horse should you not do what she asks? Or at least have a chat with her first before changing any thing?
I would be well peed of if I ask someone to do something and they did their own thing without asking!
 
Agree with JoElla in talking to her first, but she definately needs more fibre! If the grass is good then I suppose that's half the battle but I'd be more inclined to put some chaff in her food etc.

Pretty amazed at a TB never being rugged - wow!

Is she going to break her or use her as a broodmare?
 
when i had my ex -racer and he was living out with my arab gelding he got a one large scoop of alfalfa and half of sugarbeet twice a day and they shared a bale of hay a day and he was quite a good doer!! doesn't sound like shes getting enough, surely so much hard feed if shes had laminitis is not good?
 
I should have explained she took her on because she thought she was being neglected but she's never had a horse before and knows nothing really. She's not exactly a friend but she's come to me for help. I've tried not to interfere too much but she did ask if i thought diet was right and if not what did i suggest. Grazing is poor though. She can't ride and her husband and son are scared of horses!!!
 
ah doesn't sound like a great situation!

Def agree about more fibre and definately more hay in the fieldshelter at night. and a rug!
 
Ok thanks no i don't go for TB normally either, coloured cobs and little natives much more my thing that's why i was looking for abit of help!!!
 
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Ok thanks no i don't go for TB normally either, coloured cobs and little natives much more my thing that's why i was looking for abit of help!!!

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You don't know what you're missing - especially the Irish ones!

Que stonks giving me a good telling off!
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I’m not sure if it will help but my horses do very well on Alpha-A. A recent rug sounds like a good idea as well.

It sound like this ‘friend’ is very lucky to have you to help!
 
I would suggest that you call one of the feed advice lines (most feed companies have free ones) and get some advice from someone who really knows what they are talking about.
 
Hey disagree, don’t dis the cobs (especially the coloured ones)!

Having had a TBx I wouldn’t go back for anything but then it takes all sorts!
 
Have to laugh! As long as horses have adequate feed and shelter then they, even TBs do not need rugging if they are out 24/7. Many Tbs go through from weanling to full grown and beyond and never see a rug; they are not a necessity. However, the diet doesn't really do a lot and I would like to see a lot more fibre in her while she's out. Providing she would eat it instead of manky grass I would prefer to give her hay rather than a short feed tbh.
Could you not have a word with your 'friend' when she returns and explain the importance of fibre which in turn would help to keep the horse warmer. If the friend has very little idea, I certainly wouldn't be suggesting a rug for the mare, it could be accidents waiting to happen; you would see a leg strap dangling but would she? Also, if the mare hasn't had much done with it through life, it might never have had a rug on; not a recipe for a novice I would have thought.
It's horrid not being able to do something but if she came to you for help, you might be able to persuade her what is the best course of action; good luck.
 
tb's are one of the toughest breeds around. My friends dad breeds very successful racehorses, his brood mares are out most of the time and believe me they do not get rugged at all!! They do really well on it too.

As far as feed, fred is pure TB and is on 1 scoop of alfa a and half a scoopy of carm and condition, each end of the day, plus some corn oil, he is doing really well on this and condition has really picked up. I always like to ad lib on hay, its the best thing for condition and weight.
 
All depends on the horse though - I've known cobs that are complete pussies when it comes to winter - also depends on what the horse is used to I suppose!
 
Thanks everyone, got a big round bale of really good hay today and put in her shelter she seems much more settled now. And she has a rug on which she took to fantastically at least i can sleep tonight knowing she's not hungry!!
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