What to feed a 4 year old just coming in from being roughed off?

[Girlracer]

Hi guys,

Thought I would ask your opinions.

My Welsh D is coming in from his holiday this week, he has been totally roughed off turned away with some other youngsters. Living on grass and whatever else he can find in the field, rugless and left to it.

He will be starting some work gradually once he comes in, and being stabled over night. Would you leave him off feed or start introducing a small feed? I feed Major, so obviously their routine is going to involve feed times, and I wouldn't mind getting some biotin into him. So do I give him what Major's fed (albeit a far smaller amount) which is Saracens Re-Leve and Mollichaff or is there something more suitable?

I kind of already have in mind what I'm going to do but I don't think it hurts to get opinions.

 

[kobi]

If he was overweight I would only feed a multivitamin mixed with as little plain sugar free chaff or speedibeet as possible. That way he'd get something when everybody else got fed and would be getting essential vits and mins. If he was underweight and feeling low in energy I'd give a bit more. I'd always rather have a 4 year old coming back into work a little on the lower energy side than full of beans!

 

[MissMistletoe]

Mine just has hay and a mineral/salt block.

Just started long reining, introducing tack etc.

I would be cautious to introduce anything new feed wise, particularly if he has also having a change of routine (grass- stabled) You also want to maintain his calmness for his training.

 

[ellie_e]

Mine is getting Releve, Alfaa and biotin, and as much haylage as she can eat,although she is in more work than your and I want to put some condition on.