Hay in field - COPD

[fidleyspromise]

Anyone any suggestions

3 native ponies sharing a field (all mine) that is split in two.

One side has 19 yr old, COPD, Highland pony. She has haylage but she's barely eating it and not enjoying it. She's quidding quite a bit. Teeth done last month and she has several diastemas.

Other side has hay out for the other two who are overweight. One of these cannot have haylage.

Two days a week I let them all in together to give COPD pony company.
COPD pony is a nightmare and now breaking the fencing to get to the hay!

I was speaking to a shop owner over weekend who mentioned Silvermoor Veteran. This is finely chopped I believe so may be easier for here? I don't know whether to try this or just soak some hay?

My yard setup is 3 acres. Water runs down field shelter roof, into IBC tank and then into a bath so water over winter is not the easiest.

My ponies have always been easy to feed/look after so this is a big learning curve for me. Happy to hear any suggestions for making my girl happy.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Ive just looked up the silvermoor veteran and it does *sound* ideal so probably worth a go Or how about a sloppy hay replacer?
ETA I'm just thinking if she's not fancying her haylage she might turn her nose up at soaked hay:/

 

[fidleyspromise]

@Bellaboo18 I've heard about and wondered about sloppy hay replacers - Are those like Fast Fibre?

 

[Bellaboo18]

@Bellaboo18 I've heard about and wondered about sloppy hay replacers - Are those like Fast Fibre?

Yes, I feed my mare fast fibre as she has diastemas She really likes it, it definitely seems palatable.

 

[fidleyspromise]

OK. Could I ask how much you feed?
I did give her sloppy fast fibre feeds late winter to give her throat a break from scratchy hay before I knew she had COPD.
I wasn't sure how much to feed as it seemed like masses ? I may give Allan and page a call tomorrow too.

 

[Bellaboo18]

OK. Could I ask how much you feed?
I did give her sloppy fast fibre feeds late winter to give her throat a break from scratchy hay before I knew she had COPD.
I wasn't sure how much to feed as it seemed like masses ? I may give Allan and page a call tomorrow too.

I only give her a token feed really to carry her supplements and the bonus is its sloppy. At the moment she's still ok with hay so sorry I'm no help on how much you can give. Definitely worth giving Allen and Page a call though, I've found them really helpful in the past xx

 

[fidleyspromise]

Fingers crossed your lady stays fine with hay. I try and make my ponies as easy as possible as I have one girl I pay that does 2 days a week, my partner does one day a week (or more depending on my health) and then me.

Thanks for your help x it helps to chat with others.