Is my pony getting all he needs from his diet?

[NooNoo59]

My boy is 17, has mild cushings for which he is medicated. He is a good doer, the field he is in has been cut and I don't think he is getting much from the grass judging by the way he attacks his haynet when he comes in in the morning! He is getting two sections of hay per day soaked for one hour, one scoop of spillers hi fibre cubes with a carrot! I am trying to work him six days a week to get him fit again after a bit of a lay off from sore feet etc, now got the shoes on. Hacks are about three quarters to an hour, schooling about half hour and lunging 20 mins. I just wondering if he is getting everything he needs for the work level he is doing, I am not a big fan of balancers etc as I have been feeding horses for twenty years and always stuck to the basics. Any advice very welcome, thanks.

 

[windand rain]

He is probably just in need of more fibre if he tucks into his haynet but I would want to assess his vitamin and mineral intake mown grass is generally speaking higher in sugar and lower in vitamins and minerals so maybe he is getting a bit too much sugar and not enough nutrients. If he is grubbing around for a little bit of grass he may well be short of fibre

 

[Nudibranch]

What's his condition score? Does he look healthy? To be honest my Cushings mare is a pig and will stuff her face with hay even when there's good grass available, I think it's just an easy option!

However I would look into a general balancer like Pro Balance or Pro Hoof. Easy to feed and at least you know he's not missing anything. A Rockies lick would be a good idea too (I use the red as they are higher in magnesium which is important in Cushings). So, I'd consider adding a good quality balancer and salt lick and putting out a couple of sections of hay in the field, soaked if necessary.

 

[NellRosk]

I second Nudibranch's suggestion of Pro Hoof or Pro Balance. Both are sold by Progressive Earth on eBay and if your horse has no stomach issues then the cheaper Pro Balance will be fine for him. It doesn't work out too expensive, both my IDs are on it and a bag seems to last ages. You said he has mild Cushing's and was a bit footsore so some vits and mins should really help his hooves. I would also look at adding half a mug of micronised linseed, mine look fab on it. The youngster has a full mug and the fat one has half a mug, not enough to put weight on but still improves his coat and hooves.