Feeding young gypsy cob

[Harley25]

Hi I have a rising 5 year old gypsy cob and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should be feeding him over the winter. He is not a good doer and came out of winter last year on the thin side. I'm not someone who likes my horse to be fat but it took me a while to get him into good condition after last winter. Currently he gets plenty hay, sugar beet, chaff and small scoop of conditioning mix. We don't have very much grass. Does anyone else have this problem with their cobs? His worming is up to date.

thank you

 

[Kallibear]

I'd be a little concerned that a cob is needing so much feed to keep condition. Have you had his teeth checked recently?

How much is 'plenty' of hay? Is it adlib? He should be eating about a small bales worth every day. Is it good quality hay?

Is he well rugged? Is he happy with some friends?(stress can make them poor doing)?

Alfalfa is a high calorie chaff so I'd use that instead of a straw chaff. Adding oil could help. And a pro-biotic supplement can help them get the most from the food.

 

[Harley25]

Yes he's had his teeth checked and they are fine. The hay seems to be good quality, not getting ad lib but as good as. I like to hang nets in his field shelter as my field gets muddy. He has a medium rug and has company. He's not too thin at the moment but was just looking for suggestions to stop him from losing weight like last year. Thank you for your ideas