Summer and winter feed

[Amylaurenx]

Hi everyone,
Winter to summer feed!! the whole thing baffles my head i overthink it!! I know the basics of 2.5% of body weight to maintain being mainly forage etc..

I’m looking to have a 15hh ish 8/9 years or over and will be in moderate work.. I know it depends on the horse individually and their condition but am I right in thinking as a rough guide a hard feed of low cal balancer/chaff with hay for winter and reduce this to just hay and grass for summer (obviously changing slowly) and a very small hard feed in summer of balancer if they were to be a poor doer or had bad pasture?
Any advice welcome and feel free to tell me if I’m overthinking the whole thing?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Definitely over thinking at the moment!! But the horse first! Depends on condition, temperament, whether you have plenty of grass, what exercise the horse gets , the list goes on!! Definitely plenty of forage but other than that, can't say without said horse!!

 

[Amylaurenx]

Definitely over thinking at the moment!! But the horse first! Depends on condition, temperament, whether you have plenty of grass, what exercise the horse gets , the list goes on!! Definitely plenty of forage but other than that, can't say without said horse!!

Ahh I know? I’m looking to get my first horse so trying to be as prepared, I’ve had one on loan but was sort of just told what to feed her and when so with all the different opinions on how to feed etc there’s so much to know! I’m just telling myself go with what you know and if I think they need more or less then go with it!!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Ahh I know? I’m looking to get my first horse so trying to be as prepared, I’ve had one on loan but was sort of just told what to feed her and when so with all the different opinions on how to feed etc there’s so much to know! I’m just telling myself go with what you know and if I think they need more or less then go with it!!

Best thing to do is ask previous owner what they feed the horse. Just remember not to feed out of kindness when your horse first arrives. Its so tempting as they are your new baby etc! There are a few feed experts that will visit or do a consultation on line if you get really stuck x

 

[MuddyMonster]

I don't change feeds between summer and winter.

Pony only gets a handful of feed as a carrier for supplements.

If you're looking to buy your first horse, I'd start off with just a good quality chaff and multi vitamin & mineral supplement and amend later if required.

As a general rule, most horses can do more work off less feed than a lot of people think

 

[Amylaurenx]

I don't change feeds between summer and winter.

Pony only gets a handful of feed as a carrier for supplements.

If you're looking to buy your first horse, I'd start off with just a good quality chaff and multi vitamin & mineral supplement and amend later if required.

As a general rule, most horses can do more work off less feed than a lot of people think

Yeah I’ve seen a few people say they don’t change between summer and winter I suppose it’s a case of seeing how they cope with the colder weather! My family aren’t into horses so it’s good to see what other people do thank you !

 

[Amylaurenx]

Best thing to do is ask previous owner what they feed the horse. Just remember not to feed out of kindness when your horse first arrives. Its so tempting as they are your new baby etc! There are a few feed experts that will visit or do a consultation on line if you get really stuck x

i

I thought I won’t want to be changing their diet so it will just be what the previous owners are feeding but thought if it needed to change at all and for the weather change! I looked into a nutritionist though if I feel I’m not getting it right or they seem to be losing condition that’s an option as that’s where my worry lies! thank you ! X

 

[Elno]

My horse has been fed the same through the whole autumn- winter-spring, from +10 degrees celcius down to - 20. If out on grass (in summer) no extra food at all. Don't overthink it. They can manage on less than we think and be better off.

I learned the hard way. As soon as I cave in and feed more than my horse needs for a couple of days I have an unruly, bargy teenager weighting in on 480 kgs ?

 

[Amylaurenx]

My horse has been fed the same through the whole autumn- winter-spring, from +10 degrees celcius down to - 20. If out on grass (in summer) no extra food at all. Don't overthink it. They can manage on less than we think and be better off.

I learned the hard way. As soon as I cave in and feed more than my horse needs for a couple of days I have an unruly, bargy teenager weighting in on 480 kgs ?

Haha no that’s not ideal is it!? I know most could live off just grass but my human head can’t help but think no they can’t !! I suppose it’s just trial and error I’ll have to just see what works and what doesn’t!

 

[teddypops]

I only feed mine in the winter. Wait and see what horse you get and feed for what it does or doesn’t need, rather than what is correct.

 

[Amylaurenx]

I only feed mine in the winter. Wait and see what horse you get and feed for what it does or doesn’t need, rather than what is correct.

Definitely overthinking it? I will thank you