Starting my boy on feed

[emma.is]

Ok so he's a 15.1hh tb x welsh 4yr old gelding. At the moment he has no hard feed, but he's starting to work a lot harder and with winter coming I'm worrying about him loosing condition and about him not getting the nutrition he needs. Can anybody recommend a feed?

He works about 45 mins - an hour a day, schooling and hacking with two days off a week and an hour out a day (all they're allowed over winter).

I was thinking http://www.allenandpage.com/Products/Light-and-Medium-Work/Hacking-Cubes.aspx

but what about a chop/chaff?

 

[_April_]

My first impression of that link is that is a very high level of starch in those 'Hacking cubes' at 23%.

A fibre based diet is what is always recommended on here and by the feedlines.

If he has access to ad lib haylage and hasnt actually dropped weight yet perhaps you are worrying too much in advance because thats not a very high workload either I think and adding all that 'energy' on a horse that is only getting an hour of turnout a day is in my experience asking for trouble.
I have only had a few different horses though - there will be other more experienced people on here

If he does drop weight then what about something with less starch...

I use a mix of either spillers hi-fibre cubes or slow response cubes which have under 12% starch each. Another good thing to add weight but not adding 'fizz' is Alpha A Oil.

Seriously though - haylage is the best!

Hope that helps. A good thing to do is to ring the feed helplines, thats what I do sometimes

 

[emma.is]

yeah thank you! It won't do him any harm to loose a pound or two at the moment anyway... haha!

 

[JanetGeorge]

My first impression of that link is that is a very high level of starch in those 'Hacking cubes' at 23%.

Ditto! But I'd disagree about ringing feed help lines! Yes, they're 'helpful' - but they're there to push their products and they don't know your horse - or you!

There's an old saying: "The eye of the Master maketh the horse fat!" If your horse is in good condition, and if he has the energy he needs to do the work you're asking, then leave it as it is. If he starts to drop a little condition - or if he seems a bit lethargic - then I would use something like Bailey's No. 4 or A&P Cool & Collected - BUT at about a quarter of the rate they recommend!!!!

 

[tallyho!]

Totally agree with JG & April.

It is a shame about turnout for your boy although I know it is common.