Please Eat you stupid horse!!

[Fools Motto]

I've said in a recent thread that my mare halves in size through the winter due to 'the hunt'. She isn't in work. She lives out, and is TB x Welsh D, 15hh, 17yr. Over many years, I have got to live with it, and keep praying she 'won't starve herself'. I've also tried quite a few feeds, and I've given up as she won't eat more than a mouthful of something new. Some days she won't even take a polo. If I've got 'a new smell' on my hands, she walks of in disgust!
I've tried sugar beat, and all similar to that. If the feed is more than a week old since opening, then nope. I've tried mixes of seemingly 'everything', and she picks out bits and then gallops off and won't come near her feed bucket again. Many times, I've been seen to walk around after her, perhaps she would like to be fed in THIS part of the field!!! Her fellow pony friend (who doesn't need feeding more than a handful) can sneak in from the left and grab mouthfuls while dim mare looks into the distance 'absorbing' the mere hamster size mouthful she has taken in her cheeks!
I've tried barely - failure BIG style! Not even a sniff.
Pony nuts are good, but only half a scoop at a time before she gets bored and then wanders off. I normally add a very small sprinkling of Alfa, but she usually leaves most. I gave her an extra handful of nuts today, but failed - she got bored and wandered off! I can't hold on to her and make her stay to eat, she'll just stand there, and purse her lips tight!!!
She eats up hay well, and is in a 8 acre field with some winter average grass cover for the time of year.

SO, I admit I'm not up to the latest 'new' feed stuffs - kinda given up, but is there anything out there I could try, that may, just may get her to be slightly interested? She is looking pretty lean, well but lean (as in looks like she does 4 full days a week hunting).

In the spring/summer, I could feed her whatever she wants without any problems, but she doesn't need it then!! (gets a bit porky!)

I've got a strange horse, haven't I??

 

[samlf]

Have you tried ad lib haylage? And bringing her in, giving her a good groom and then giving her a feed not in her field?

 

[Fools Motto]

She lives out as she can get stressed when being in. Not all the time admittingly, but has been known to roar around her box, muck sweat and much bucking. Not to mention she'll roll for England and got cast. The 4 boxes I have aren't that big, 10 x 12 , and 2 have got calves in at the mo! Adding to that, 3yr pony friend jumps out of the stable as she isn't used to being stabled - my fault as I've never kept up to training that!! Obviously, if I had to, i would sort it all out. (Not to mention if the hunt came past, all hell would let loose!)

 

[FfionWinnie]

I'd go for adlib haylage. I have one that's not fussed with bucket feeds really. Its extremely annoying. She likes hay/haylage and would rather just eat that.

 

[LeannePip]

Yes you do have an odd horse! have you tried dousing feed in molasses or anything sweet?

when you say 'the hunt' are you actually hunting her or is it the mere thought/sound of the hunt being around?

if she's a bit wired and not eating because she's distracted could you try something to calm her and see if she'll eat when she's less distracted? rescue remedy/lavender?

could you try hay ledge instead of hay, a bit more calorific if she's not eating much?

 

[Fools Motto]

Yes, the sight/sound of the hunt sends her into 'wow' land! (I've hunted her in the past, she knows the score!) Trouble with hayledge, is that if she won't eat it, then madam-who-doesn't-need-it, will!! (I think). Mare is the boss, so normally stays put at the piles, but IF she walked off, rat bag would dive in!!!

 

[NZJenny]

She's definitely out there ! I would go with the ad lib hay as well. If she is eating that, then no point arguing with her. Things like ulcers and teeth did enter my mind, as that can put them off hard feed, but given this sounds like it has been going on for awhile I'm sure you have been there.

The only other thing I would suggest, is that I don't really understand the whole "pre mixed feeds/brands" thing that is so big in the UK. Have you tried just chaff (with nothing added) and whole oats? I know lots of places where the hay is fed on the ground, and the oats are just chucked on top, but I do find a feed bucket less wasteful. If she likes hay, then a plain feed may be all she is looking for.

And have just read above post can you tie the feed somewhere the pony can' get it?

 

[Fools Motto]

I can only try really - if pony was getting rounder, then I know I'd have to think again!! Arhhhh.

I kept telling myself I don't worry as it is her normal, but I find myself worrying!

 

[TheMule]

My mare is just the same. Has to live out as will not eat in the stable and will only eat bucket feed/ hay in the field if very settled and if she currently likes that particular feed.
I moved her onto the best grass I could find and we've gone from coming out the winter like this-

To this-

She eats soaked grass nuts and Speedibeet quite well at the moment, she has always preferred very bland feeds- barley, rolled oats etc in preference to mixes and nuts

 

[doriangrey]

Unless you think she is really too thin by normal standards, I wouldn't be worried, especially as she is eating up her hay and has plenty of grass. Might be worth looking into appetite stimulants for horses if you think she needs more.

 

[TandD]

Does she actually like buckets?

Not trying to be stupid..... But my boy will not drink out of a dark coloured bucket.....and his favourite coloured bucket for water is skyish blue.

Do you add water? Is it hot or cold? Ever tried Apple juice?

 

[Fools Motto]

My mare is just the same. Has to live out as will not eat in the stable and will only eat bucket feed/ hay in the field if very settled and if she currently likes that particular feed.
I moved her onto the best grass I could find and we've gone from coming out the winter like this-

To this-

She eats soaked grass nuts and Speedibeet quite well at the moment, she has always preferred very bland feeds- barley, rolled oats etc in preference to mixes and nuts

Mare looks like your top picture. I maybe able to get some speedibeat from work - as a try. I won't be wasting it if she doesn't like it, and IF she does I can buy a bag! I also do have some oats - from a last winter that was fed to another horse, who isn't here anymore. They would be too old now??

 

[Fools Motto]

Does she actually like buckets?

Not trying to be stupid..... But my boy will not drink out of a dark coloured bucket.....and his favourite coloured bucket for water is skyish blue.

Do you add water? Is it hot or cold? Ever tried Apple juice?

Don't add water, and I 'think' she likes her buckets... she also has blue! She just seemingly gets bored of eating out of said bucket! Tried apple juice several years ago, didn't make much difference... then the kids drank it!!

 

[TandD]

When she was in work was she any better at eating? As I wonder if a combination of being in a field, doing nothing, cold, wet weather is making her depressed? I've seen a few depressed horses and they will not eat...... Just will not chew and swallow! They have also had illness at the same time, but not an illness that prevents eating......the horse just didn't feel up to it!

edit... I just mentioned the water as one of mine will not eat a meal without it......he really dislikes dry food!

 

[kerrieberry2]

I really don't envy you, my mares cushing meds have just been upped and she picked at her feed for about a week that was horrid enough. ive just got her eating again, have taken the linseed oil out, added half a scoop of high fibre cubes and mint to her normal feed and shes gobbled it down the last few mornings

 

[Fools Motto]

When she was in work was she any better at eating? As I wonder if a combination of being in a field, doing nothing, cold, wet weather is making her depressed? I've seen a few depressed horses and they will not eat...... Just will not chew and swallow! They have also had illness at the same time, but not an illness that prevents eating......the horse just didn't feel up to it!

edit... I just mentioned the water as one of mine will not eat a meal without it......he really dislikes dry food!

You may be onto something. I don't work her through the winter as I don't have time, (and I worry about winter working = hunting and it may make her worse!) Also, tbh, I see the weather and don't feel like working her. (I don't have an arena, so just a happy hack really). I've often thoguht about her being depressed, I've done this routine now for about 6-7 years. People like farrier and other family have always said it doesn't hurt her not to be in work and it is just my mind that is a worry.
Arhhh!!!!

 

[TandD]

You may be onto something. I don't work her through the winter as I don't have time, (and I worry about winter working = hunting and it may make her worse!) Also, tbh, I see the weather and don't feel like working her. (I don't have an arena, so just a happy hack really). I've often thoguht about her being depressed, I've done this routine now for about 6-7 years. People like farrier and other family have always said it doesn't hurt her not to be in work and it is just my mind that is a worry.
Arhhh!!!!

From what you have said I don't think the fact she could be depressed should be ruled out. I also don't think some work I.e schooling/hacking will be associated with hunting and make her worse. What would be very interesting is if you could give her a couple of weeks consistent work and see what happens..... I think she may perk up and be more interested in life! Even if it was just 3/4 nights a week, and not even for that long....just gives her brain something to do!

 

[MagicMelon]

As long as she's got plenty of hay, I wouldn't worry too much. If you're worried about vits & mins then you could try one of the numerous paddock licks. One of mine gets a little picky about food if he isn't kept in work, he's retired now due to injury so I have to get on him once a week or so just to plod about, it seems to keep him a little happier as he really misses being worked. Could try that with her?