feeding

[cindydog]

my horse is out 24/7 and give feed once a day now, I was told by yard owner today that they are not going to give any feed to horses and let them live off the grass only as giving them a feed and the amount of grazing they do will cause problems with their health..cant stable them as sick ponies have use of the only shelter, and as still in quarantine cant move them..should I stop feed?

 

[TGM]

A lot of horses and ponies can maintain their condition on summer grazing alone, and don't need extra feed. If your horse is like that, then I doubt he will come to much harm on such a regime.

In theory, you should give a vit/min supplement or balancer to ensure all the micronutrient needs are met - however, a lot of horses and ponies out 24/7 do very well without such supplementation!

However, if your horse is not a particularly good doer and the grazing is less than good, you may find he needs extra bucket feed to maintain condition. Basically you need to play it by ear!

 

[cindydog]

My horse can live off fresh air and can do with losing a few pounds a vit sub sounds good to me I am worried about their tb horse as just starting to get condition and the last few days his droppings are getting soft..will keep watch many thanks..

 

[teddyt]

Ditto TGM. Feed according to workload and condition. Use a mineral lick or vit/min supplement in a handful of chaff if not feeding hard feed.
Many horses in light work and living on good grass dont need extra feed. Depends on the horse and amount of grass

 

[kellyeaton]

if your horse can live on grass alone it will not be a problem but if you need to feed and give supplements carry on!