Ok, call me daft but i'm really confused about... Hay! Please help!

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rose bud

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Hi everyone,
I feel really stupid asking this, but i have been given lots of conflicting advice about feeding my pony hay!
I haven't had him long, he is an exmoor x, is slightly over weight and lives out.
He was perfect for the first few weeks that i had him but has recently become spooky and silly.
(i have posted about this before)
I was giving him 1 section of hay at night but am wondering if this is giving him too much energy?
I have been advised by some people that he doesn't need any hay yet as he is a good doer and this could be giving him too much energy, but then others say that he could be hungry and being naughty because of this.
Arrggg!! Confused... Opinions please xx
 
Daisy dancer said:
Hi everyone,
I feel really stupid asking this, but i have been given lots of conflicting advice about feeding my pony hay!
I haven't had him long, he is an exmoor x, is slightly over weight and lives out.
He was perfect for the first few weeks that i had him but has recently become spooky and silly.
(i have posted about this before)
I was giving him 1 section of hay at night but am wondering if this is giving him too much energy?
I have been advised by some people that he doesn't need any hay yet as he is a good doer and this could be giving him too much energy, but then others say that he could be hungry and being naughty because of this.
Arrggg!! Confused... Opinions please xx
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It really depends upon the quality of the hay you are feeding and the amount of exercise that the pony is getting.

For a native breed, anything as rich as haylage is a no-no; you want to be feeding grass hay only and probably not very much of it. The standard is 1.5 to 2% of the horse's weight so you can work it out that way.

If you can feed in a small hole haynet that will slow down eating and make the hay last longer.
 
Whether he needs hay or not will depend on how much grass there is left in his field. There would not normally be much food value left in the grass by now but this year's weather has been so warm and wet that the grass has been growing recently. Regardless of feed value, your pony needs bulk to keep his digestive system working properly and to keep him warm. Does he have company in his field?
 
I can't see that hay would give your pony energy, but I could be wrong. Mine are cob types so very good doers, but they have no grass in the field & my view is even if they don't need hay they have no gras & have to eat something, I put a slice out for each one. They also get a small feed morning & night.
 
Daisy dancer said:
Hi everyone,
I feel really stupid asking this, but i have been given lots of conflicting advice about feeding my pony hay!

I have been advised by some people that he doesn't need any hay yet as he is a good doer and this could be giving him too much energy, but then others say that he could be hungry and being naughty because of this.
Arrggg!! Confused... Opinions please xx
Click to expand...

Firstly..I am Queen of the Obvious Question and I remind myself that nobody was born knowing everything - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!!!!
Secondly, the confusing/hungry/naughty thing: example, my gelding has been grazing happily in his field since being there since July..he has never tested fences apart from once or twice when obviously unhappy about being separated from his companion who was temporarily grazing in a 'starvation' area at the end of the field. But yesterday, I found him having trampled the leccy fence I'd put round the oak trees weeks ago, munching the nice new grass there and this morning, he trampled the fence into the tiny paddock, because there's nice new grass in there. Apparently naughty behaviour. The farmer who brought my hay delivery the other day told OH 'Don't feed it yet, it's so mild, the grass is growing'.
But, I deduce that my gelding is acting out of hunger. The new grass growth in both fenced-off areas has been there for ages - he could have got in either place at any time if he wanted to badly enough...and presumably would have done if he wasn't getting what he needed from the existing grass, but as far as I'm concerned, he's demonstrating that he's just not getting quite enough from what grass there is in the field. So he's had a bit of a hay snack tonight and from tomorrow will start on haynets.
And he is a good doer. But he is also unrugged, and a growing youngster.
I agree with the farmer who delivered my hay - the grass is still growing. I agree with the fact that my gelding is a good doer and doesn't need much to maintain condition. But there are always individual factors to take into account and in this case, his behaviour tells me otherwise. So if you can, you have to weigh up your pony's situation based on what is in front of you, as well as what the theory is.;)
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Whether he needs hay or not will depend on how much grass there is left in his field. There would not normally be much food value left in the grass by now but this year's weather has been so warm and wet that the grass has been growing recently. Regardless of feed value, your pony needs bulk to keep his digestive system working properly and to keep him warm. Does he have company in his field?
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hi, thankyou for your reply.
There is not alot of grass left in his field although it did have a bit of a growth spurt recently.
He doesn't have company in his field at the moment, he is surrounded by other ponies in the fields next to his though.
 
myrddinwyllt said:
Firstly..I am Queen of the Obvious Question and I remind myself that nobody was born knowing everything - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!!!!
Secondly, the confusing/hungry/naughty thing: example, my gelding has been grazing happily in his field since being there since July..he has never tested fences apart from once or twice when obviously unhappy about being separated from his companion who was temporarily grazing in a 'starvation' area at the end of the field. But yesterday, I found him having trampled the leccy fence I'd put round the oak trees weeks ago, munching the nice new grass there and this morning, he trampled the fence into the tiny paddock, because there's nice new grass in there. Apparently naughty behaviour. The farmer who brought my hay delivery the other day told OH 'Don't feed it yet, it's so mild, the grass is growing'.
But, I deduce that my gelding is acting out of hunger. The new grass growth in both fenced-off areas has been there for ages - he could have got in either place at any time if he wanted to badly enough...and presumably would have done if he wasn't getting what he needed from the existing grass, but as far as I'm concerned, he's demonstrating that he's just not getting quite enough from what grass there is in the field. So he's had a bit of a hay snack tonight and from tomorrow will start on haynets.
And he is a good doer. But he is also unrugged, and a growing youngster.
I agree with the farmer who delivered my hay - the grass is still growing. I agree with the fact that my gelding is a good doer and doesn't need much to maintain condition. But there are always individual factors to take into account and in this case, his behaviour tells me otherwise. So if you can, you have to weigh up your pony's situation based on what is in front of you, as well as what the theory is.;)
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thankyou for your reply and for not making me feel stupid :)
there is a sectioned off part in my ponys field with new grass in it that is fenced of with some electric fencing that he could easily jump if he wanted to, so maybe he's not that hungry?
He's looking well so maybe if the grass is still growing i will hold off feeding him hay until it gets colder. He is in a lightweight rug and in light work so perhaps he's ok for now?
Thanks x
 
Mine is hungry now, they have nothing in their field, and his behaviour is deteriorating! The only reason they haven't jumped into anywhere with more grass is that the fence is too high, but as soon as I appear at the gate they gallop over to see if there's any grub. We've been haying ours for a week or so now, a slice each a day, just to give them something. Oh, it's a fjord and two exmoors in this field. The TB and ID are coming in and getting two large feeds and loads of hay! Mine will be coming in overnight at the weekend, so that I can make sure he has plenty to eat.
 
fjordhorsefan said:
Mine is hungry now, they have nothing in their field, and his behaviour is deteriorating! The only reason they haven't jumped into anywhere with more grass is that the fence is too high, but as soon as I appear at the gate they gallop over to see if there's any grub. We've been haying ours for a week or so now, a slice each a day, just to give them something. Oh, it's a fjord and two exmoors in this field. The TB and ID are coming in and getting two large feeds and loads of hay! Mine will be coming in overnight at the weekend, so that I can make sure he has plenty to eat.
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oh, i'm so confused! Thankyou for your reply!
When you say his behaviour is deteriorating, in what way?
 
Mine is the same atm. She has not much in her field but i do keep moving the fence each night a little bit with new grass, but think she feels its not enough. I hate it though when she is hungry cause she gets so bolshy and forgets herself. She came in last night to ride and was literally attacking her haynet (small holed) she was that hungry. But it is difficult to feed good doers up without giving them too many calories :(
 
Rosie'smum said:
Mine is the same atm. She has not much in her field but i do keep moving the fence each night a little bit with new grass, but think she feels its not enough. I hate it though when she is hungry cause she gets so bolshy and forgets herself. She came in last night to ride and was literally attacking her haynet (small holed) she was that hungry. But it is difficult to feed good doers up without giving them too many calories :(
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its sooo dificult to know what to do for the best!
Do you think the hay could be giving my boy too many extra calories and therefore making his spooky / naughty when ridden?
Thankyou for your reply!
 
Hi, I don't think it is a daft question at all - even the most experienced come across 'oddities' from time to time!! :D

All I can say is my old native (who is also laminitic and on a strict diet regime) becomes an absolute nut job if he finds himself hungry. As long as his rations can be trickle fed to him, he is fine, but if his hay is fed on the floor it must be gone within half and hour - so by morning he is mad for food.

Alternatively, depending on where you are in the country and what weather you have had - maybe the grass isnt very long but it is quite high in sugar?
 
Mugsgame said:
Hi, I don't think it is a daft question at all - even the most experienced come across 'oddities' from time to time!! :D

All I can say is my old native (who is also laminitic and on a strict diet regime) becomes an absolute nut job if he finds himself hungry. As long as his rations can be trickle fed to him, he is fine, but if his hay is fed on the floor it must be gone within half and hour - so by morning he is mad for food.

Alternatively, depending on where you are in the country and what weather you have had - maybe the grass isnt very long but it is quite high in sugar?
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Thankyou!
Its such a difficult one as i havent had him for long (about 6 weeks) for the first 2 or 3 he was perfect but has now become silly and spooky!
We are in shropshire and did have a growth of new grass a after that hot weather which is what i put the behavoir down to initially, but think its going on a bit long now!
I had started giving him a section of hay at night (unfortunatly have nowhere to hang a hay net as he has sweet itch so has to be electric fencing) so the hay is gone within half an hour.
The grass is quite short but he is looking well.
I am just so confused as to whether it could be too much or too little food that could be causing the change in behavoir?
 
My ID has his hay rationed out, I weight it all and give him a small net when he first gets in his stable (got field with grass in at the moment). By ten o'clock at night it's all gone so I fill up again (weighed out). I use an elimanet. When he was out 24/7 up until about a fortnight ago I had to hay him (and my other) as he was getting very rude and bolshy! He even trampled through a post and rail fence! When he's not a happy chappy and knows the grass is greener on the other side, he will get there no matter what!!
If you feel happier putting hay out, you could always put a slice in a net and soak it, reducing some calories.
 
Just read your last post! I would say it's the sugars in the grass making him a bit silly! My two are exactly the same at the moment! And they're in at night getting hay/haylage so not starving!!
 
bumblelion said:
Just read your last post! I would say it's the sugars in the grass making him a bit silly! My two are exactly the same at the moment! And they're in at night getting hay/haylage so not starving!!
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hi, thankyou!
Is there anything that i can do about this or is it just a case of waiting until there are less nutrients in the grass, which shouldn't be long should it?
He doesnt have much grass in his field, but does have to be out 24/7. Although there is another pony going into his field at the weekend.
 
From your description I would think that he is hungry, I have 3 ponies and 2 horses, all good doers but all of them get naughty if they are feeling hungry.

To reduce the nutrient quality of the hay you could try soaking it. If you had a good size barrell you could even leave it over night to feed in the morning and then another net soaking during the day to feed that evening. That way his tummy is full but reduced calories. If you do this be sure to change the water every time and run a bucket of clean water through the net which has just been soaked to wash away the dirty water - you will see what I mean!
 
might not be the hay but it could be something as simple as the grazing he is on now is different in minerals to where he was before:) could be that the magnesium levels in your grazing is lower and in some ponies/horses lower mag levels leads to 'daft' behaviour.
saying that it could be so many different reasons,ie; he's testing you to see what he can get away with, 6 weeks is not a long time and he could still be feeling unsettled.

i know with the dark evenings it's getting hard to do much now but when you don't have time to ride would you have time to take him for a walk in hand? gives him a chance to see his surroundings and get used to them and helps you get to know eachother:)
 
Hiya,
Just a couple of thoughts from a fellow amatuer !!
I feed mine straw to help keep their tummies full, they are all natives and are still out but no rugs. I put a couple of wedges in the field so that if they get that hungry then they will have something to munch on. The grass that is growing is probably quite sugary as it is short (i understand )

Does he need a rug ? if he is a good doer and on the chunky side he could perhaps use some of the energy to keep himself warm ?
Mine def get scratchy if they get hungry as do I :D
 
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