What do I feed my 4yo

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Jade-and-patch

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I have a 4 year old tricoloured gelding who currently stands at 14.3/15hh and lives out. He is a tb crossed with a cob, lightweight to middle weight build. I'm currently breaking him in but he is on minimal work at the moment as I'm doing my exams. ive had him at his new livery yard for just over a week now and is starting to settle. He shares a field with my donkey and together they have about 2 acres of fresh grazing...there is more than enough grass! So far he has only been eating the grass, no feed, and hay only when he is inside being groomed. I'm wondering whether to start him on feed and if so what would you suggest and it what quantities? Also does any one know of any good coat conditioning mixes as he has a lot of dandruff. Thanks
 
Does he need to put any weight on? If not, then no he doesn't need hard feed. If you think he needs something to help his coat etc but don't want any weight gain a low calorie feed balancer might be an option. I personally feed Topspec lite to my youngster with good results
 
Not if he doesn't need it!

If he is a good weight, looks healthy and has enough energy for what you are asking him to do then no need to give him hard feed :)
 
Okay that was my initial thought, it's just I'm the only one on my yard who doesn't use hard feed and I was thinking I'm doing something wrong! His weight looks okay to me, topline not the best currently but I think it's mainly just lack of muscle as he is doing little work. Definitely not underweight!
 
Jade-and-patch said:
Okay that was my initial thought, it's just I'm the only one on my yard who doesn't use hard feed and I was thinking I'm doing something wrong! His weight looks okay to me, topline not the best currently but I think it's mainly just lack of muscle as he is doing little work. Definitely not underweight!
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His weight looks okay to me, but I wouldn't call myself an expert! Haven't got a very detailed eye when it comes to assessing build, but he is definitely NOT underweight...think he just lacks muscle. Trying to upload picture to show you but I'm new to this and can't work out how!
 
Grass and forage should be fine. I've always been told with good quality of both and a salt lick you should be fine.

I brought a 2 year old last year who was under weight, I fed him a handful of calm and condition a day until the grass came through this year. He looks more than fine now!

I've also been told TopSpec is amazing, http://www.topspec.com/

I know a lady who feeds it to her brood mare and a friend with endurance horses who swears by it.
 
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