Horses out 24/7

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winchester

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My ponies have been living out and looking a bit rounded! They have started loosing interest in the grass and hanging round the gate a bit more. They are not skinny and more on the plump side. Should i start feeding hay or let them slim down a bit first?
 
this time of year grass isn't that sweet as it isn't growing! If they're not missing a meal I wouldn't worry as they're obv eating at some point.
I've started chucking half a bale of hay out for my 3 boys due to crap grass but to be honest one of the plumper ponies could do without!

get teeth checked if they're not eating or poo pick. I know my boys are stuck up about poo!
 
I wouldn't feed them yet. I would keep a close eye on them and not let them lose too much weight though as we are coming into winter.
 
I would.

There's not much in the grass now and the sign of them not being as interested grazing, would make me supplement with hay out. Plump or not, I don't like them in the field with nothing. Even if it's just some low quality hay or hay mixed with oat or barley straw, then it's low calorie forage for them at least.

Just as they're 'plump' now, doesn't mean they'll stay that way now the grass has gone, and I'd rather them keep the reserves to get through the rest of winter living out happily.
 
Are you still getting normal amounts poo licking? If so I'deave them to it. Just because they're hanging about when you're there doesn't indicate a lack of interest in grass or lack of food.

They should have something to eat, hence the poo question , but no I'm in a similar boat and mine aren't getting extra- I want to feel ribs come spring!
 
where are you OP cos where i live the grass is still growing like mad and is lush and green, i put mine on their winter grazing and have had to move them off it again as they has the runs-its is lush.

if they are fat but hanging at the gate i would put some straw out you will soonknow if they think there is nothing out there as it will be gone
 
Horses which live out can be a little on the plump side going into the winter months. In the wild horses do plump up towards winter and this help them to arrive in spring in reasonable condition.

The digestive tract of the horse is designed for trickle feeding to keep it in good working order; If there is very little grass they could end up ingesting too much soil as they pick at the short stems.

I have started to introduce hay now and they are tucking into it.
 
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