thoughts on this feeding situation

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DoesDressage

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Am doing a bit of research and would like thoughts on this situation. I know people may agree/disagree. I also have my opinions

Horse is 15.2hh idxtb 6yrsold. to give idea of size takes a 6ft rug and weighs 500kg on a weigh tape. Has a blanket clip and is worked 5 days a week mainly flatwork with 1 jump and 1 walk hack. Horse has very relaxed disposition. Easy to do and a pleasure to be around. Can be a little sharp under saddle practically in the canter transition but only been broken 6 months. Teeth/saddle checked 2 months ago, vacs up to date. Work progressing well, w,t,c in an active uphill frame and jumping 80cm course

Horse is turned out during the day and in at night in a large stable in a barn.

Breakfast: 1lb low starch forage fibre ( 6% fat, 11% protein) 1lb high fibre grain (12% protein 8% fat) 1oz cool calorie sup (99% fat)

Daytime: no grazing but open access to round bale of hay. Seen eating most of the day. 1 bale lasts 2 horses around 3 weeks

Dinner: same as breakfast

Overnight hay: 4-5 slices (yard owner would like 2)

To cut a long story short said horse is a becoming a yoyo weight loser. With little adjustments to feed weight always comes back but can fluctuate from day to day. Said horse lost 150lbs according to weigh tape in a 10 day period but regained 75lbs in 4 days.

What are your thoughts? Not enough feed? Health issues...ulcers? poor management

Thanks
 
You say YO would restrict the overnight hay to 2 slices, nowhere near enough, is it possible they take some out after you leave? hence the rapid weight drop which is worrying if there is no reason for it, is the horse warm enough you do not say what rugs he is wearing.
I would want him to be on proper adlib hay, so there is always some available when stabled and see if that helps him level out and may also settle the sharpness, that could just be a phase he is going through 6 months into his ridden work, lack of turnout will not be helping either as he has no chance to really have a blast to get rid of excess energy, the ability to wander around is good but just not the same as a field.
I assume worming is up to date as that can impact on the weight but a worm count would do no harm just to make sure.
 
I agree with be positive but would also ask if the weight loss/gain you see with a weigh tape agrees with what you can actually see and feel in his body condition? I find weigh tape results can vary such a lot if the tape is not positioned exactly in the same place every time and also if the horse is standing differently. Have you tried condition scoring? Each horse is different but I know for my own horse where he tends to build up/loose weight and I find checking those areas is a better judge to me whether he is maintaining condition than a weigh tape alone.
 
I think people under estimate just how much hay a big horse will eat over night, especially at this time of year. Four slices out of a normal small bale will easily be gone by 10pm assuming the horse went to bed at 5/6pm. The horse then stands there for 8 or more hours with nothing. This is not what the equine system thrives on. As for the yard owner recommending 2 slices of hay I assume she keeps rabbits.

I am feeding an array of very different horses at the moment, young, ancient, peaceful and bonkers but I base everything on ad lib good quality hay or haylage and then add linseed/grass nuts/hi fibre nut and alpha oil if needed.
 
Agree with Sueonmull, weigh tapes are very inconclusive IMO - better to take conformation photos every week as easier to see any changes.
WRT to the hay I'm assuming we're talking small bale hay here? The fact that he is only spending 8 hours a day (overnight when he runs out) without hay personally wouldn't worry me that much, but then I keep a cob at the moment! Does he sleep in the field or is he eating for most of the time?
Perhaps if you're concerned about the overnight hay situation, and the YO is unlikely to let you increase his hay, you can put a trug of hay replacer in his stable overnight as well as his haynet?
 
Thank you everyone. Horse is turned out in a 3/4 field with one other pony and a round bale. Just no grass :( worming is up to date. Horse is well rugged medium weight between about 14 and 8 in the day and 8-0 a heavy then double rugged under freezing. All good rugs, weatherbetta and Rambo. Horse has been known to lie down in the field in the day but not often, approx once a month.
 
Sorry forgot to answer weight tape question...
The reason the tape came out was owner was worried about the horses condition. I agree they are not accurate but do think they can help you gauge how much condition a horse has lost. Currently horse has regained some weight with help from the fat supp in the feed. 2 weeks ago in the space of a few days people at the yard described the horse looking like it had been to a concentration camp. Skinny and lacking shine, muscle etc. horse is know looking in much better shape but still fluctuating. Just concerned this is happening to such a young horse
 
I would agree with increasing the hay; ad lib is the best way to increase weight.

Just a thought - he is well rugged, is it possible he could be a little too well rugged? We live on a hill in Northumberland and mine are out 24/7 (with barn access). They can wear no more than 200g max as even the trace clipped mare boils. 8-14c is pretty mild and I often de-rug for the day which they love. These are big horses, TB/CB/sport types.
 
Have to agree on the benefits of adlib hay. I have 2 big horses both IDxWB, 17hh about 650-680kgs.
I feed adlib haylage at night. If none left in the morning they get more the next night. I am constantly adjusting amounts depending on weather. Cold nights they eat more, simple.

During the day out in a big field which although still has grass there is no goodness in it.

Tonight 1 got 2 stuffed haynets the other 2.5 (as he had none left this morning).
I get through a large round haylage bale in about 12 days. I won't scrimpe on hay.

As for hard feed 1 is on a token feed of grassnuts and grass chaff (good doer) other on much bigger feeds of grassnuts, greengold and alfalfa nuts. They both look great.
Definitely feed more hay, cut down on hard feed if necessary.

With regards to rugging if you feed enough hay you definitely shouldn't need so many rugs on. Eating hay is their "central heating" system. A fortnight ago it was about 8 degrees here at night and mine went back into light weight rugs as were sweating up. Back in medium ones now.
 
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