Help with my cob and his strange eatting

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picolenicole

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Hiya everyone, hope all is ok.

Sorry but a long ish story for a few questions. I have just come back from being on holiday to Rhodes for 2 weeks and have to put my lovley 5 year old cob on a diet, as I had no one to ride him when I was away. So as you can guess for 2 weeks he's done what he does best.... eatting without work, or any restrictions. :o

He's not as bad as you may image, but could do with looseing some (he's over 500kg on weight tape, and has grown so could be 14.3- 15HH) The problem is he will only eat food he likes!!!!! I can give him a hay net and the same hay will last all week, as he doesn't eat it. Brill you would think but it's not as he goes most of the day not eatting and then when you ride or lead him all he wants to do is eat!!! :rolleyes:

I've tried wetting his hay, giving it in a hay net, giving it on the floor, even in a big tub as I thought he may think of it as "real" food no nothing he will not eat it. He will eat haylage but thats just going to put weight on!! (and we have a barn full of hay from our fields)

So for the question, sorry it's so long. I'm trying to think of all the details for you. What if anything can I give him as a hay replacement? That:-

1) Doesn't cost the earth?
2) Doesn't put more weight on him?
3) Will make him feel full?

Thanks guys, if you got this far then you need a medal, and anything you would like dipped in chocolate!!!
 
Vanner is right - mix haylage and hay together. You could even go as far as mixing haylage and good quality oat straw.

As to quantities - start with half half and see if you can get it to 1/3 2/3rds. You will need to buy small bales otherwise it will go off before you can use it. You might be able to find another livery to split a bale with - thats what we did when we were trying to convince our cob to eat hay.
 
picolenicole said:
Vanner good idea, does he get through all the haylage before it goes off? As in how much haylage to hay do you give him?
Click to expand...

I use small bales of haylage 20KG bags (west lancs or horse hage) He has 3 KG of hay and 2 of haylage morning and night (they're on half day turn out at the mo). The bags last me 5 days but are good from 5 to 7 days.

Hope this helps.
 
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