How can I fatten my horse up...

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wench

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Horse is a bit skinny, not to bad, but could do with a bit more on him. He is currently fed after being ridden, which is 5-6 times a week.

He gets approx 2kg of mix with 180ml of oil in; hoof suppliment, joint suppliement and feed balancer.

Feeding him twice a day, or in the field is not an option. He is not in hard work, and the mix is own shop brand stuff. I would rather not change his food, as he likes it and eats it all up.

Is there anything else I could perhaps put in his feeds that might help him?
 
I have no access to any hayledge at the minute :( (if I did I wouldnt be able to feed him the bale before it would go off)
 
Oh right :( Not loose in the field or anything either? Don't know about where you are, but there's not much nutrient wise in the grass round here sohave been doing that with our lot, if they all get on then them ones have some lobbed in the field loose to eat each day. The one's that don't get on sharing, just have a net of it when they come in to munch through instead each day.

Short of that, my TB boy was the same and I just bit the bullet and turned him away for 2 weeks to just eat really. Bought him back in work in the past week and he's put a little too much on if anything bless him. He was really fit and lean though before, you could faintly see [but not feel] his ribs and just looked a little over-fit. Now after just two weeks out [no hard feed, just grass and no work], you can see about an inch of his stomache side on and can't see his rib outline either now so worked a treat :) And gave me more time to focus on the baby horse for 2 weeks too! :)
 
Buying hayledge is not so easy as it's not always me feeding him, friend rides him a lot, and if I leave nets of hayledge laying about at livery yard it will probably end up in another horse. And added to the fact I cant get down until late to ride anyway, I really cant wait around for another 30 - 60 minuntes for him to eat it (I dont get home until 830 :()
 
Do you mean he only gets fed if you ride, in other words he gets fed 5 or 6 times a week, depending on your timetable?
If so the first thing to do would be to make sure that he is fed EVERY DAY. Horses thrive on routine and their digestive system in particular cannot cope with intermittant arrangements.

Quote Buying hayledge is not so easy as it's not always me feeding him, friend rides him a lot, and if I leave nets of hayledge laying about at livery yard it will probably end up in another horse. And added to the fact I cant get down until late to ride anyway, I really cant wait around for another 30 - 60 minuntes for him to eat it (I dont get home until 830 ) Quote

I think you need to have a careful look at your priorities. I'm afraid that horse care should take priority over horse riding. If your friend can get to the yard to ride surely she can feed the horse as well, if you can't get there.
 
Baileys Outshine is great for helping them gain weight as it is full of oil. Can't recommend the stuff enough, however it does have to be fed regularly, I think at least twice a day everyday and more if needed.

However I would speak to the nutrionist experts at Baileys if you were thinking of going down that route and explain the situation and they will then be able to help you in letting you know how much to feed and how oftern.
 
I would break his feeds into 2 and feed him as others have said more fibre - speedi beet is great for putting condition on, and maybe try something like the allen and page Calm and Condition. 2kg is alot to feed in one go of straight hard feed - horses have only got small stomach so feeding him tons in one go is pretty pointless as it won't stay in his stomach/gut for long - fibre helps it go through the stomach and gut more slowly helping them absorb all they can from it. If you are only feeding him once and only on certain days then really I would cut out the hard feed and get him on some haylage - get the field divided up if necessary so you can leave him out with add lib access to it.
Riding a horse should not be your only aim - looking after him first should be your main priority as should the other person that rides him, so you need to do what is best for your pet and not your schedule, owning a horse is a huge sacrifice for most of us and I know it can be very hard sometimes to fit everything in, and even if it means getting home at all sorts of hours - horses are not the sort of pet you can pick up and leave off as and when it suits.
 
Becky - Just looked up barley rings - they look good, just the sort of suggestion I was after, I will be getting some next time I go to the feed merchants!
 
wench said:
If you read original post I merely say he could do with a bit more on, not hes a walking skeleton.
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I dont think any one was meaning this. Just that basic feeding guide is little and often, pleanty of fibre and in a good routine. Even if your horse wasnt needing extra condition it is still a must rule to follow.
 
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