Feeding up an Older pony?

[floradora09]

My 20 year old NF lives out 24/7 (although VERY hairy so been clipped out most summer, but letting it grow out a little now before winter clip). He's not on a lot of grass, and rugged if the weather is very wet/cold, don't want to rug him up too much or he won't feel the benefits of all his layers in the winter! He's just beginning to look a little pointy, (sorry don't have any photos but can try to get some!) and I would like him to have a little more weight on really for the winter.

Currently he's fed a scoop of 16+ mix after a ride (but not if I ride just before I normally feed, then he just has his normal feed)

His normal feed is a big scoop of 16+ and some HiFi senior, plus other supplements.

Often in winter I feed sugarbeet too, if he needs a little feeding up? I'd rather feed to quality of energy than quantity. Got a bin full of Speedi-Beet, shall I give him some of that with his feed for a while and see how he goes? Is adding oats a silly suggestion, even though he doesn't hot up?

Help much appreciated! Want to keep my old boy happy this winter =)

 

[samuelhorse]

speedibeet has instructions on the back of the bag for feeding for conditon. Have been given my rather lean boy it along with Baileys Outshine and a feed balancer which seems to be doing the trick. Good luck with your boy. xx

 

[floradora09]

Ok, thanks! Threw away the packaging though, but will look at their website! =O

 

[TGM]

Is he getting any hay or haylage at the moment? Personally I would make sure he is getting as much hay or haylage as he can eat before upping the bucket food. However, if he is already on adlib hay/haylage then Speedibeet would be a good choice as it is fibre-based and has as many calories (dry weight) as some conditioning feeds. You do need to measure it before soaking though to ensure you are feeding enough, as once soaked it can look like a lot but obviously contains a lot of water!