Idiots guide to feeding.

[jrp204]

My daughter has a 6 yr old 14hh welsh d X pbqh, she will be either hunting or occasionally showjumping at the weekends with as much hacking out or field rides that she can fit in after school. At the moment she has a scoop of sugar beet and a scoop of spillers response, slow energy, she is out 24/7 and has ad lib hay available. This is her first year working at this level and i am really in idiot mode so any advice will be welcome. She is being clipped this week and will be rugged up, they usually start coming in at night at the end of nov as it is really mild down here (cornwall) i have big bale haylage available too.

 

[TGM]

How is she doing on the diet she is on now? If she is sane but still has the energy for her work and is maintaining weight then you have got it about right!

I would use a weigh tape to measure her once a week to assess whether she is gaining, losing or maintaining weight, and adjust the feed according.

 

[Bedlam]

Most of the feed companies have free advice lines that are quite good. I've used Dodson & Horrell's before now, but as your using Spillers I would give them a ring and see what they say. They will have a team of nutritionists that will give free advice (only on their feeds mind you!).

 

[hadfos]

[ QUOTE ]
How is she doing on the diet she is on now? If she is sane but still has the energy for her work and is maintaining weight then you have got it about right!

I would use a weigh tape to measure her once a week to assess whether she is gaining, losing or maintaining weight, and adjust the feed according.

[/ QUOTE ]
Agree!!

If she maintaining weight and has the energy for the work she is doing,carry on as is!!weigh tapes only any good for measuring weight gain and loss!!You can up the amount of sugar beet as it is great for weight gain,slow release energy,etc!
Weigh the amount of mix she has,if not upto the max per feed you can increase that if needs be!!

 

[LusoLover]

As a guide you should be able to just about make out her ribs, but I really do mean only just and you should certainly be able to feel them. Definitely give the feed manufacturers help lines a bell. I've called most of them and they are all really helpful. Whilst they will obvioulsly suggest their own feeds they will mention others if they've not anything suitable. It might be worth calling a few just to see if you get a consistent guidelines.

 

[jrp204]

Thanks for the help, it is out first year working at this level, she is 390kg and i think shes looking about right so we will weigh tape her once a week and see how she goes.