too much feed... or not?

[Alice_10]

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.

 

[sonjafoers]

Red bag grass pellets are very high energy - I can't remember exactly but I think they are marketed than having higher energy than oats, which might explain something! Could the owner not swap to blue bag grass pellets if she likes the SS regime? Much lower in energy

Other than that if the amounts you quoted are per day rather than per meal I don't think it's too bad at all, but mine are only about 15hh so I'm not really qualified to comment on feeding such a big boy!