too much feed... or not? (Also in Stable Yard)

Alice_10

Alice_10

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17 March 2010
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I ride a horse (17/18year old, 17hh, cob X thoroughbred, gelding - with tendon problems) I only do light hacking 2-3 times a week (if nice might have a small canter on top of the hill) and he will get ridden by the owner once a week (if ground is okay she'll canter).

he is being fed:
- 5 big handfuls of simple systems red bag grass pellets
- 2 scoops of alfalfa
- supplements (linseed, total eclipse, and devils claw root)
- countless apples, carrots and pieces of bread per day
-2 large-holed haynets once a day (3-4sections in each net)
- grazing in the field all day

Usually he is really docile and ploddy - but on a occasions (since his food has been changed) he has completely gone crazy on the road and I have had no control at all no matter how much I've tried. I'm not a complete novice - I can competently ride - used to hunt, show, jump, etc.


Even other yard members have noticed this and they think hes on too much food. I've tried to voice my views to the owner but 'she knows best'. I feel if he goes on eating this much food he'll become ill or worse.
 
This seems like too much feed to me. Even if they had no grazing this is a lot of hay for one horse. Assume they are in at night? I would say one haynet would be plenty. We judge if our horses are getting too much to eat by the amount of poo they do. Around a wheelbarrow a day each seems optimal for my guys although they are mostly good doers and a bit on the tubby side. We normally feed less hay than they would need to maintain their weight in the winter so that they come into spring on the leaner side as it is more difficult to keep their weight down in the spring/summer. This is what would happen in nature. Ours just get a balancer and a small amount of chaff and any supplements they need once a day and also a few carrots/an apple.
 
yeah they are well knows for having the equivalent or more energy than oats!!

the food has been upped from barely anything to this! hence my concern! i've tried to voice my opinions to the owner but she will not have any of it - shes 40 and has been around horses all her life but i dont think she has any common sense...!!
 
Aren't the red grass nuts the ones SS advise to use for racehorses...
Poor you! Hopefully the owner will also get fed up of him being a bit overenthusiastic and re-think his feeding regime.
Maybe drop a few hints, Like 'oooo he's lively on these spring grass nuts and Alfa!' or something....
 
tried to drop hints (even really obvious hints like 'this food is making him crazy!' dont work with the owner)

shes also planning on letting him out on the whole field for spring ....and probably wont decrease the food! so thinking of pulling out of riding him .... as i cant do anything without her say so and its really irritating me now!
 
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