Hungry or greedy? Judging a diet...

metalmare

metalmare

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 May 2005
Messages
2,600
Visit site
Hi all,

Just wondered, for those with dieting equines, how others judge the correct feed regime.

14hh pony is currently on a paddock around the size of a full dressage arena, which has around a 1/4" sward (but the grass is much richer than I would like). He also gets a slice and a half of soaked hay and 5 equibites daily. He is a perfect 3 on a condition score at the moment - no crest, no gutter on the quarters, no fat on the shoulders.

He tells me he's hungry, but I think he's just greedy. He gets the soaked hay to keep him feeling fuller and keep his gut in good order and the equibites for vits and minerals. Although the grass looks short, that's because he eats it as fast as it grows :-)

Any thoughts?
 
He's probably greedy my daughter pony would eat untill she popped!! She once escaped and managed to eat 2 bales of hay at night, she was in at last check at night but out at 6 in the morning!! She must have kept eating for the sake of it!!!
 
That sounds about right! However much is given they'll find room. Must be like my 'pudding tummy' - always room for more.

Whatever his eyes and calls are saying his body is telling me something else... :-)
 
Probably greedy especially if a native type - my pony is very greedy. He would easily eat a whole bay of hay over night given half the chance as well as much grass as he could possible stuff in during the day!
 
It depends on the horse. Mine is just greedy, has escaped from her stable before now & eaten several bales of hay, despite the fact a 1/3 bale & a few mouthfuls of straw bed is ideal weightwise. Daughters is a good doer too but not at all greedy, if she was on limited grazing & wanted more hay she'd be hungry. That said, few horses bother with hay if there's enough grass to keep them full.
 
If you can see the ribs they need more, if you can feel the ribs by poking just about right, we have too much grass so both of ours are in for the day with a small haynet, which they pick at, they are'nt hungry just fat, it has taken us 3 years to get our good doer to a reasonable weight, he looks at food and gains weight, hence the bringing in through the day, as in the field they eat most of the time
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top