Fees for condition in senior horse

[Poppy2003]

I’ve recently taken on a slightly older companion. He is a lighter build and has come from a yard with very little turnout/grass. He was lacking condition when he came but has gained since being out 24/7 with me with good but restricted grazing. He came with basic conditioning cubes and a chaff. My horse gets a small handful molasses free low sugar chaff with a vit and min added in. He’s a very good doer.
They will have be our 24/7 till about December then come in at night. They have ad-lib hay.
What could I feed the older companion to maintain him thru winter? A veteran mix? I’d rather keep things very simple feed wise and wondered whether conditioning cubes were a bit over kill given he has already gained condition

 

[windand rain]

Mine have grass, hay, haylage, soaked grassnuts, grass chaff so you see the theme. If needing a bit more they have micronised linseed. One is 25, next 16 next 6 and youngster is 3 all fed the same. Did have them on soothe and gain for a while and the sick old fellow, (since PTS) was on pink mash so all were on that for a while too

 

[meleeka]

You may find that the same feed as your other one, with maybe a bit of micronised linseed if he needs a bit more, will be perfectly fine. Unmolassed sugar beet added to your chaff would also work I expect.

 

[P.forpony]

If he's already gaining condition since being with you I wouldn't be overly worried.

I agree with Meleeka, I'd give him the same basic feed as your other, make sure he has ad lib good quality forage at all times and then micronised linseed for extra calories if necessary.

You don't mention if he's had his teeth looked at, if not I'd get them checked before you make too many other changes, it might be as simple as he's finding it easier to eat now he has access to better grazing ?

 

[P.forpony]

If he's already gaining condition since being with you I wouldn't be overly worried.

I agree with Meleeka, I'd give him the same basic feed as your other, make sure he has ad lib good quality forage at all times and then micronised linseed for extra calories if necessary.

You don't mention if he's had his teeth looked at, if not I'd get them checked before you make too many other changes, it might be as simple as he's finding it easier to eat now he has access to better grazing ?

 

[Poppy2003]

Thanks, was along the lines I was thinking… yes sorry should have said his teeth are done and absolutely fine. The owner said he generally is a okay doer but the lack of grazing and turnout has had more of an effect on him than she thought it would.

 

[meleeka]

Thanks, was along the lines I was thinking… yes sorry should have said his teeth are done and absolutely fine. The owner said he generally is a okay doer but the lack of grazing and turnout has had more of an effect on him than she thought it would.

I have an older mare that drops weight instantly the grass is gone. All summer I’m struggling to get weight off her (she’s on barely there grazing with my others), then in winter I’m struggling to keep it on. It’s very frustrating. She’s another that wouldn’t cope with being stabled full time.

 

[windand rain]

I think we all need to embrace the fact that horses are meant to lose weight in winter they should come out of winter able to easily feel ribs and even see them on the turn. No matter what type they are. The biggest welfare issue faced by modern horses is obesity because no one allows horses to drop weight. They will try anything to keep it on and/or increase it. Stop worrying if they drop off it is good for them. The time to worry is if they head into winter like hat racks or with visible ribs. Large hay bales in fields or shelters are the work of the devil

 

[SEL]

These advert bots are getting damned sophisticated!

Yup - that's a bit surreal!

OP - I had an underweight oldie to look after a few years ago and found Rowan and Barbary mash was incredible at keeping the weight on him. He did have dodgy teeth though so needed some extra help.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Equerry mash.