Feeding youngster through winter

[flump]

This winter 2 of my horses will be out 24/7 So im wondering whats best to feed as they are completely different!
One is a yearling NF X Gelding, he is not holding alot of weight at the moment so god knows what he'll do in winter and the other is a 16yo TB. They will also be out with a sec a.

Hay is expensive so Im going to try and budget for about 3/4 bales per week..

Any feeding thoughts? They will all have to be fed together!

 

[Hoofprints in the Snow]

I'd give the youngster sure gro if you can afford it, if not then I'd give them both alfa or other chaff, some sort of cheapish pony mix, Feedmark Benevit vit and min supplement, garlic, and probably some extra oil (veg oil will do) Mine get this and they all come thro the winter very well. I also give hedge herbs from feedmark but not essential.

 

[Alexart]

Yearlings don't tend to hold alot of weight anyway and shouldn't really as they are doing so much growing at the mo, they tend to put it on around the end of summer as they slow down.
For winter I'd be feeding them all a vitamin lick - add lib access to it and add lib hay, obviously if a horse is in hard work then some hard feed to give a bit extra is needed, but they really don't need hard feed otherwise just vitamins. I know hay is expensive but it is a false economy trying to eeek it out as the breakdown of the fibre in their guts is what keeps them warm so uses up less calories than just hard feed and very little fibre. Stuffing full of hard feed is not a substitute for hay and without the add lib fibre it will not stay in the gut as long so is wasted really.
I allow 1 small bale per 16Hh type horse per 24hrs if living out on poor grazing, a yearling native type will probably eat 3/4 and a pony about half, if there is some left in the morning then you're feeding the right amount - so 2 - 2.5 bales a day would work out far cheaper than tons of hard feed and reduce the chances of colic - horses are expensive pets!!!!

 

[joeanne]

It will work out cheaper to feed hay than hard food!
3-4 bales between two horses a week in the depths of winter wont work IMO. I would be looking at a bale a day for the TB if there is no grass, and at least half a bale for the yearling.