Getting the balance right- feed and turnout

RubysGold

RubysGold

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Our winter paddock is pretty small and pretty bare. this will be my first winter at this yard (and as this is the 4th yard, moving is not an option)
So when the horses start to come in for the night, and they have to go in the winter paddock (the summer ones dont look much better) I need to try keep Roos weight on.

Any ideas as to what the best idea is? I dont want her to lose alot of weight but nor do I want her stood in constantly.
The rule at this yard (god knows why) is no hay on the floor, it has to be in nets fastened to the fence :( not keen on that, but Ill just have to go round and make them as high/tight as possible on the fences. And how do I ensure that Roo isnt getting pushed off the food? I dont want to pay for hay in the herd if she doesnt get any of it.

Not sure whether to keep her in her stable longer or give her bigger feeds or what?

I dont know if the above makes any sense.
 
Is there an agreement at the yard that you all put the same amount of hay out? If not then unless you can somehow separate her to eat her net then you run the risk of others eating her hay. Which would be frustrating if you are paying to feed your horse and they are not.

Assuming that there are rules that everyone has to put hay out then make sure there is one more net than there is horses and that it is well spaced out. That way everyone can always get to the nets to eat.
 
Suppose it depends how many is in the field and exactly how many nets you can put out, if there is enough nets and room between them all to tie them all up so each horse can eat from a net without having to share or squabble, then there shouldn't be a problem in that way :)
 
Kenzo said:
Suppose it depends how many is in the field and exactly how many nets you can put out, if there is enough nets and room between them all to tie them all up so each horse can eat from a net without having to share or squabble, then there shouldn't be a problem in that way :)
Click to expand...

unless you have a right greedy one (like one of mine) who eats so quickly and is finished before anyone else - and she is the boss, so moves them all along!
 
Haynet rule is a bit odd?!

Our paddock is pretty low on grass at the mo so using hay. General rule of thumb is one pile of hay per horse then one extra. So 6 horses 7 piles etc. All spaced out, roughly 2 horses distance apart(less chance of spinning and kicking!)
 
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