How much feed? (Also in Stable Yard)

[Cliqmo]

Hi Guys,

I'm sorry this topic has probably been done to death

I have a 5yr old 17hh+ gelding and I would like your opinions on how much hay/hard feed he should be fed please

Last summer he weighed 800kg according to the weigh tape

...although he was better covered than I was happy with and now looks/feels more like the right size- although I've not weighed him recently... here is a pic of him last summer to prove this sort of weight is feasible

...

Anyway, Bentley is currently recovering from a field injury, so he is out all day on fabulous dairy farm pasture and comes in at night to a small scoop of Safe and Sound, a handful of nuts and the RDA of Codlivine 'Supple Joint Supplement'. He has as much hay as he can eat in a HUGE hay net... although I must admit I don't weigh the hay

He will be moving to a new yard in the next few weeks, so there will be some important changes to his routine-
A. The pasture is "average"
B. Hay is given in a hay bar (how does the volume compare?)
C. All being well he will be brought back from field rest and backed in the next few months

With this in mind I would really like some recommendations on the best way to alter his feed from you uber-smart people!

I understand hay is normally fed at 1/3 of body weight, but

1. is this according to current weight or aspirational weight?
2. does this amount alter if you have less grazing / feed more fibre with their hard feed?
3. should I feed more because he will be coming into work?
4. how many lbs ought he be fed??

Any advice much appreciated

 

[glenruby]

Feed according to aspirational weight. If this is much lower than his current weight, you may need to pick a midway "target" and feed for that weight for a period first.
Yes, if you have v good grazing, the hay should be decreased accordingly.
If he is currently looking fimilar to the photo from the summer then no, I wouldnt increase his feed. Horses do not "need" hard feed, I would play it by ear and only increase it as he comes into a decent level of work. Contact one of the feed companies (or perhaps your local vets - ours are very happy to work out individual feed programs).
lbs will depend on the make and type of feed you use, his current bodyweight (and/or aspirational weight) and given the fact that he is holding condition and not in work it doesnt sound as if he needs any feed right now.

 

[Cliqmo]

Thanks for your reply

At the minute he is closer to this, albeit with a bit more condition over his crest and rump (as this was taken a year ago)