trottingon
Well-Known Member
Hi
My pony has always been a good-doer, I've generally struggled to keep his weight down in the six years I've had him because he tends to look at grass and put weight on. However last winter he dropped weight for the first time and actually looked a bit poor at one point (well, for him anyway!!) and I'm worried what to feed him if this happens again this winter?
He is a 7yo 11.2 Welsh Section A, ridden by a capable but not terribly experienced little girl.
He lost the weight around February/March time, I was wary about feeding him up at that point because a) I didn't want him to have too much energy or get him fizzy when ridden, and b) because I assumed he would balloon as soon as the spring grass came through and then I'd struggle more than usual all summer to get/keep his weight down again.
But we had a really late spring and our grass never really recovered over the summer, and as such his condition never really picked up as I had expected. Our grass isn't looking too good at the moment so I am guessing he will probably lose weight again over the winter, and I'm trying to think in advance what I will feed him when that time comes so I can be ready.
One contributing factor last year is that he was ridden consistently all year which is only the second winter that has happened, and the previous winter the grass was more plentiful which in retrospect must have really suited him. He isn't ridden particularly hard, just 4 or 5 times a week for 30/45 mins, generally in the school, a mix of flatwork and jumping, or on a hack. He tends to be on the lazy side (better than being hot when ridden by a child!). We will be wanting him in show condition for next season (not fat at all, but ideally nicely covered)
He is currently fed a handful of basic non-mollassed chaff and the recommended amount of Top Spec Balancer, twice a day, is at grass all day and in at night with ad lib hay. (There's not much grass, and on livery yard so feeding hay/haylage in the field isn't an option)
So (assuming I don't get chance to ring any feed company helplines over Christmas) what feeds would you suggest I look into for if/when he loses any condition over winter? Please keep in mind I'm happy for him to have a little more energy but daren't risk him getting fizzy.
Many thanks
)
My pony has always been a good-doer, I've generally struggled to keep his weight down in the six years I've had him because he tends to look at grass and put weight on. However last winter he dropped weight for the first time and actually looked a bit poor at one point (well, for him anyway!!) and I'm worried what to feed him if this happens again this winter?
He is a 7yo 11.2 Welsh Section A, ridden by a capable but not terribly experienced little girl.
He lost the weight around February/March time, I was wary about feeding him up at that point because a) I didn't want him to have too much energy or get him fizzy when ridden, and b) because I assumed he would balloon as soon as the spring grass came through and then I'd struggle more than usual all summer to get/keep his weight down again.
But we had a really late spring and our grass never really recovered over the summer, and as such his condition never really picked up as I had expected. Our grass isn't looking too good at the moment so I am guessing he will probably lose weight again over the winter, and I'm trying to think in advance what I will feed him when that time comes so I can be ready.
One contributing factor last year is that he was ridden consistently all year which is only the second winter that has happened, and the previous winter the grass was more plentiful which in retrospect must have really suited him. He isn't ridden particularly hard, just 4 or 5 times a week for 30/45 mins, generally in the school, a mix of flatwork and jumping, or on a hack. He tends to be on the lazy side (better than being hot when ridden by a child!). We will be wanting him in show condition for next season (not fat at all, but ideally nicely covered)
He is currently fed a handful of basic non-mollassed chaff and the recommended amount of Top Spec Balancer, twice a day, is at grass all day and in at night with ad lib hay. (There's not much grass, and on livery yard so feeding hay/haylage in the field isn't an option)
So (assuming I don't get chance to ring any feed company helplines over Christmas) what feeds would you suggest I look into for if/when he loses any condition over winter? Please keep in mind I'm happy for him to have a little more energy but daren't risk him getting fizzy.
Many thanks
)
