Old pony: Feeding more than recommended rate for hay replacer.

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MissMistletoe

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My 14.1hh 385kg pony is in his late 20's and has lost 4 teeth now. He is used as a nanny horse for my youngster riding and leading 3 times a week.

He can still manage soft, soaked hay and gets about 2kg a day to nibble on.

In addition, he is out on grass which is growing nicely now, and provides plenty enough forage.

However, to increase fibre intake, and to encourage weight maintenance, he gets a morning and evening soaked 'mash' of high fibre nuts.

This mash equates to 4kg per day. I use a shop's own brand of nuts which do not have any instructions on the back. Reading other feed companies websites, the max hard feed to feed a pony like mine is one day is 3Kg.

I am keen to keep him on this mash, as he tucks into it so happily, and I would rather not cut it down.

I'm just concerned that he could end up with a vit/min overdose with this higher rate of feeding.

He will not eat any straights such as sugarbeet and speedibeet. Alfalfa pellets and grass nuts are too high in protein for his old kidneys.

Any thoughts!?
 
if there are no instructions on the bag how do you know what the feed contain s? I would be concerned that he wasn't getting the correct balance of vits and mins and suggest gradually changing him to a known brand of feed. if he is very fussy you could contact some feed companies for advice and ask them for samples of the feed they suggest so you can try a little without going to the expense of buying a big bag..can you put a pic on so we can see how he looks..
 
I would have thought that the general guides 3kg is meant as "meals" as oppose to a hay replacer which is very different.

I know spillers high fibre cubes can be fed as a hay replacer. As can Fast Fibre by allan & page.

Does the bag say it is balanced with vitamens in minerals? or what the ingredients are, as that might help?
 
The bag does have a label sewn onto it that states nutrient profile and ingredients.

The feed is a branded nut, but in 'value' packaging called Pegasus. I have been promised that it is not sweepings from the factory floor!

Fast Fibre is fab stuff, but he went off it after a fortnight and even the youngster's won't touch it!
 
I have a feeling that the pegasus range is made by D&H, might be worth a phonecall to them to ask (they can only say no, and it might put your mind a rest )
 
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