Fussy with hay!

[HorseySash]

I need some help! I’ve got a 28 year ago Welsh section D has cushings and is now prone to laminitis and he has gone off Timothy hay, rye grass and timothy haylage. I’ve had his teeth checked and there are all ok none missing cracked or worn down..I should add he is a little pig and normally eats anything. Should I start feeding Alfa or chopped soft hay replacer or even graze-on…help!!

 

[ester]

So my also 28 year old welshie struggles with hay and recently grass chaffs (after I shipped 6 bags of simple systems Timothy from Cambridge to Somerset). his teeth themselves are ok and we’ve postulated whether some of it is jaw arthritis or packing diastema mediated as it does vary day to day. Some days he is fine.

He will eat about half what he would have done historically of the softest haylage our hay man has (he’s a great hay man!) and this is topped up with soaked hay cobs (agrobs) and all day at grass.
He’s keeping weight ok atm (also cushings, treated and never had lami)

I’d be concerned if this is a sudden change for yours but will also say that mine stopped eating hay at all about 3 years ago but weirdly went back to stuffing in the time it took to arrange X-rays.
Are you feeding it loose?

TBH give mine’s situation has definitely progressed over the last few months he’ll probably just do the summer eating grass and not do next winter.

 

[HorseySash]

Good idea re arthritis, I’m feeding about 5kg of hay loose in a large bucket with a choose of soaked and dry. I was thinking about Alfa hay blocks soaked overnight. I’m of to a feed merchant tomorrow to see if I can pick up some trials before changing his hay

 

[ester]

good point re the soaked, pre haylage he was doing a lot of dunking. TBF he has waited all his life to be allowed haylage ever since he stuffed himself with it years ago on an overnight vet trip.
Im not sure how fine the alfalfa blocks are once soaked, mine would find alfalfa chaff too stalky (hence buying the timothy) but I've never used a block.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

What about Halley s grass blocks soaked..there is an oat straw/grass mix which might help. Based in Perthshire and buy on line.?

 

[HorseySash]

What about Halley s grass blocks soaked..there is an oat straw/grass mix which might help. Based in Perthshire and buy on line.?

I brought meadow bricks and soaked them and he turned his nose up at it, I’ve brought some equiblox alfa mix today and soaked in a little water so fingers crossed he’ll eat it tonight in the stable!!