Hay Replacer Anyone use one?

[Keltic]

Which do you use? Do you leave it in a large bucket alongside normal night feed etc? My old TB is not eating as much hay as I would like her too, she eats her feeds fine and carrots/apples ok etc her teeth are fine so I know thats ok. So I want to add something extra alongside her hay what would you suggest is a good hay replacer?
Many Thanks

 

[TGM]

For a horse that needs more condition and isn't laminitic then I would use either soaked grass nuts or a grass chaff such as Readigrass or Graze-On. Just put in a big tub of it when you put the hay in.

 

[Jane_Lou]

I use Speedibeet and Hi-Fi mixed in a big bucket, it goes in after their dinner along with their hay.

 

[martlin]

I use D&H Just Grass mixed with Kwikbeet as partial hay replacer - like yours, mine doesn't eat anywhere near enough hay, but empties a largish trug bucket over night.

 

[Bens_Mum]

Allen & Page pellets that you soak are good, Gloria actually likes them out of all the ones we have tried!

 

[Keltic]

Thanks I will go to the feed merchants tomo and get stocked up!

 

[MissTyc]

My oldies get readigrass and Molasses Free HiFi ... They get the recommended hay replacement allowance overnight, but inhale within about an hour .... Hmmmmm ....

 

[cm2581]

Basically any unmollassed or low molasses chaff (type will depend on what level of nutrition you require), high fibre nuts (any brand) and unmollassed sugar beet. A combination of any of the above will do although if alfalfa is used it is advised that this does not exceed 0.5% of horses bodyweight. It can be necessary to experiment to see what they prefer.

 

[Keltic]

How much should I give? Do i need to feed less if she is eating some hay or just give reccomended amount?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We needed to feed our oldie (previously a good doer but now struggling to keep weight on) a hay replacer last winter, as she would only eat a small amount of hay. We gave her soaked grassnuts mixed with Graze-on dried grass as her 'breakfast and tea' and a bucket with extra Graze-on. I think you just have to experiment a bit to see how much is the right amount.
This year, we are having to feed haylage, and she is keeping her weight much better and eating up. We are still giving her Graze-on as well as too much haylage upsets her tum.

 

[Keltic]

Thanks guys i def need one that will maintain/increase condition so will see whats on offer.

 

[TGM]

How much should I give? Do i need to feed less if she is eating some hay or just give reccomended amount?

Depends how big your horse is, what her workload is and how much other feed she is getting!

 

[Keltic]

Sorry i meant in ratio with her hay, she is 16hh tb 30yo fully retired, just want her to eat as much as possible as she loses weight in winter, so want to maintain her calorie intake.