How much hay???

[Nickw]

We have just got (2 weeks ago) a new addition to our family, a 5yr old good natured 14,2 Irish gelding who is wonderful in every way and we are thrilled to bits with him.

Our field is not brilliant from a grass point of view, so 2 or 3 times a week we stable him overnight to rest the field. We fill his hay net (large small holed) with 3-4 buscuits, which he clears in about 2 hours and I am worried he is going without access to hay for too long overnight, but equally I don't want to over feed him. What should I do?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If its possible, can you spread the hay over time?
eg, net when you leave him with a small wedge in it, then another net at bedtime with the rest in for overnight?
I know its not possible if you are not keeping him at home tho, but if you are able to go back even 2 hrs later as you are at present?

Just so you know, out of 'interest' last winter, I gave biggest fuzzy ad-lib stuffed full horsehage nets for 4 nights (weighed in total each time at over 40lb each!) and it was all gone over 10 hrs...... fat greedy pig it is! That was as well as having over 15lb out in the field during the daytime too!

Yes, you are right to be concerned that its a long time for the gut to not be moving with 'grazing' on the hay.
Have you tried double netting it - or even treble netting it to slow him down a bit? Soaking also slows greedy monsters down too.

Unfortunately at this time of the year the grass does go quickly & when its gone, its gone. Can you tape off a patch that you can rest for a bit till he is in every night & then use that bit in the daytime?

Oh - congrats on the new one
edited to add: he is still young & will be naturally stocking up at this time of the year - he just needs you to establish the way he is rationed

 

[Nickw]

Thank you for your comments and my apologies for not replying earlier. Computer issues now resolved.

I think you are right that he is stocking up. Others on the yard are doing the same, just not as much.

For now we are going to stick with the routine, but just give him two smaller hay nets spaced around the stable.

Hopefully he will settle down in time.

Thank you.