How much hay do you feed your good doers?

[MillionDollar]

My Welsh D will soon be living in 24/7 as he refuses to be turned out in winter, even though he's out 24/7 in summer. I've got his weight just right at the moment from him being on starvation paddocks and strip grazing all summer. He's in Medium work, working Advanced Medium 5 times per week, plus goes on the walker everyday. His feed is down to a minimum and mainly consists of Hi-Fi Lite with his supplements.

Question is, is how how much hay should he be having per day (in kgs). I shall weigh and then soak it. I can put in small nets in throughout the day as I live on site. I just don't want him ballooning like he did last winter.

Thanks!

 

[L&M]

I base feeding on the idea that the average horse needs 2 - 2.5% of it's body weight in forage on a daily basis.

I have 2 cobs that are in medium work over the winter and hunt weekly, and weigh approx 500 kgs each. They are turned out daily but stabled at night and are reasonable doers.

Going on the above caluclations I try to ensure they get approx 12 kgs forage every day. This is made up of 2 kg's grass, 2 kg's hard feed divided into 2 hard feeds, then 8 kgs haylage.

If you are feeding hay, I find that the average slice weighs 2 kg, so if in 24/7 and in similiar work/weight and condition to mine, you would need to feed 10 kgs hay per day plus 2 hard feeds adding up to 2 kgs.

Hope that makes sense!!!

 

[MillionDollar]

Brilliant thank you! I was thinking around 10kg so that's good