Theoretical question.....

[L&M]

Started to think about winter hard feed today, and how complicated/expensive things have become, and did start questioning whether I needed to feed any at all?

We are lucky to have plentiful grass and good quality haylage, so could this not provide all their basic requirements? In past winters I have only given a token feed of speedi beet and chaff, and can't see that this offers any more nutritional value than their forage already supplies.

We have 3 good doers, 2 x 15hh cob types and a Sec B cross, who have had no hard feed over the summer. They are all in light/medium work - regularily hacked and local comps/fun rides at the weekend. All 3 are glowing with health and have the required energy levels for the work required.

They will remain in this level of work, plus some hunting weather permitting, over the winter mnths. They will have access to 8 acres of grazing for approx 10 hrs a day, then stabled overnight, and rugged as appropriate.

Am I being too simplistic?!

 

[Dizzydancer]

Well my ex racer is a fairly good doer and will be living out rugged accordingly and be having access to 8acres with two other good doers plenty of natural shelter with ad lib haylage. If he requires it and only if he drops weight as first winter out he will have a small feed of calm and conditioner.
He will be hacked twice a week schooled once or twice and dressage at weekend. That would be a minimum.
So i would think yours will be fine.

 

[horsemadelsie]

I only feed ours a lo-cal balancer on top of ad-lib hay, all year round (our grass is poor quality). My welsh tends to loose weight over the winter, so if I start to see his ribs too much he'll get a few handfuls of conditioning cubes, but thats about it. Ours will be in at night and out all day, rugged appropriately (except the shetland- he doesn't need rugs with that coat!) If you keep an eye on them then I'm sure they'll be fine

 

[FfionWinnie]

Mine only get feed if they aren't good doers, otherwise only ad lib hay, no rugs and out 24/7.

In my long experience of horsey folk I have noted they enjoy the caring aspect of mixing up feeds etc

 

[L&M]

Thanks all - I have yet to have a winter when any of them have dropped weight....if this did happen I would just up the haylage.

Havin read some recent posts on feeding I have been amazed at the 'recipes' that some owners feed - this is not a dig at them as believe everyone should look after their horse as they see fit.

However with a busy life and 3 horses to fit into it, I like to keep things as simple and as natural as possible.

Will see how we get on, and whether I cave and feel sorry for them come mid winter!!

 

[rhodes1029]

Why not see how they get on with no hard feed then? However chaff and beet aren't stupidly expensive but i know are still a cost.... Why don't they just have a feed when they have done more heavy work eg hunting but not have one on a regular basis? Then they wont get used to it and expect it either? Sounds like they have pleanty of other food and be rugged appropriately!