Ridingondreams
Well-Known Member
I am soon going to be taking a horse on full loan. The horse in question is a 14.3/ 15hh Connemara X mare, 19 years old but not showing her age at all! Although I've known her for 2 years, I'm starting to worry about how much hay she needs - at the moment I would say she looks a good weight, I don't have a weigh tape but her ribs are faintly discernible when she moves and easily felt, but she is not underweight. Once I have her on loan I expect to ride about 5 times per week, very low intensity, novicey dressage type stuff.
Now I've given some background, I wanted to ask your opinion on how much hay she should be fed. She normally has turn out for about 4/ 5 hours per day, and the horses have just been switched onto the summer paddock, which has been saved all winter and will be pretty lush once spring starts properly, I expect. My plan was to give her one decent sized hay net in the morning, and another in the afternoon with some hay on the floor to last her the night. I know that one cannot skimp on hay, but I'm keen to cut any waste and to be as efficient as possible, as I am still in school and can only work so many hours while still making my grades.
Sorry for being so long-winded, any opinions gratefully received!
Now I've given some background, I wanted to ask your opinion on how much hay she should be fed. She normally has turn out for about 4/ 5 hours per day, and the horses have just been switched onto the summer paddock, which has been saved all winter and will be pretty lush once spring starts properly, I expect. My plan was to give her one decent sized hay net in the morning, and another in the afternoon with some hay on the floor to last her the night. I know that one cannot skimp on hay, but I'm keen to cut any waste and to be as efficient as possible, as I am still in school and can only work so many hours while still making my grades.
Sorry for being so long-winded, any opinions gratefully received!