I need a little help with my horses diet? from grass to stable.

[samurai_beth]

Hi there, i'm looking at buying a horse that has never been stabled and has been entirely kept at grass, with no feed or hay. She is 2 years old and should make 16.2hh+, she is currently 15.2hh.
Where I live we have stables that she would live in, also with grazing for only around 4 or 5 hours a day (as we only have use of somebody elses field).
What feed and hay routine would you recomend for a young horse like this? and how do i help her stomache cope with the change?
Many thanks for reading.

 

[tallyho!]

Hi Samurai_beth and welcome!

The feed issue aside, if I had limited turnout like this not sure I would consider a 2 year old. You must be mad!

 

[TGM]

I agree that this horse might not be the best choice for you if you are really limited to only 4-5 hours turnout a day. As she is two, she is presumably not in work and will not receive any other exercise apart from her turnout, and 20 hours in the stable every day might make her very frustrated and stressed if she is used to living out all the time.

 

[samurai_beth]

Hi all, been a bust few weeks for me moving house. Thanks for welcome tallyho!, as far as I understand it most people who keep horses must be mad! I'm currently compromising the house I wanted entirely to work around the horse!
but anyway, my plan was to start getting her into some light work to keep her occupied, just some basic ground work, with a little lunge work to help her burn off some excess energy. She's very very laid back, one of the most laid back horses I have known, the near by farm dog barks like a loon at her and she just ignores him. (she is actualy approaching 3 years old I just realised as I looked through her paperwork, she will be 3 in march). I dont have any intention of getting her backed yet, I would rather wait till she is more mature.
Do you guys think it would be more advisable then to look at other field options? There is a livery yard up the lane from my house (its a very very rural area) and they might be able to offer something more substantial (though probably more costly), or perhaps another private field sharing with somebody else? there are a lot of people who have horses near here, but you rarely ever see the owners!
Thanks guys