What to feed Sunny

[EventerPony]

So, as Sunshine now comes into medium work (ridden 6 days a week) I was wondering if she is eating enough. Her previous home (dealer in Ireland) fed her hay. Just hay. She is a very good doer and I was told that she wouldn’t need concentrates unless she was being worked ‘very hard’ (was being ridden 4 times per week). She currently is out from 7am to 8pm and then brought in to a haynet. Is this enough, the grass isn’t great but would not want to risk laminitis or giving her a really small section. She is a 7yo Connemara mare. Give experiences/opinions.

 

[paddi22]

where would you put her on a condition scale visually?

any connies I had lived on nothing! and even when they were being hunted every week they only needed basic feed. it sounds like the hay might be the best option if she is looking well and has enough energy for what you want her to do.

 

[IrishMilo]

It's really difficult to say without seeing a picture of her condition. I wouldn't have thought that a Connie in spring needs any extra feed if she's out to grass and in to hay at night.

Mine is on the barest of paddocks 24/7 and gets the tiniest amount of new grass every few days, and he's still maintaining weight. He gets a handful of soaked grass nuts a day but only so I can get his Vit E and salt into him.

 

[EventerPony]

Just popping down to the stables to take some photos...

 

[P.forpony]

If you’re happy with her condition score and energy levels, I wouldn’t worry about making any changes.
Although a low cal balancer might be worth looking into if you’re worried she’s missing out on anything.

 

[Starzaan]

Also worth thinking about what kind of workload she will really be doing.

There are plenty of people who ride their horses six or seven days a week but they aren’t in hard or even medium work.

Remember - polo, racing, high level eventing are all hard work. Medium is a step down from that.

 

[paddi22]

ah she' s gorgeous!! condition looks good. I wouldn't be feeding if I was you.

 

[doodle]

Robin evented (only be80) on grass and half a scoop of low cal chaff. He had hay for maybe 2 hours while in and that was 2 summers ago when there was no grass. He had oodles of energy was possibly slightly over weight. I worried about lack of food and posted on here and in the end decided while he was fine he was fine.

 

[IrishMilo]

ah she' s gorgeous!! condition looks good. I wouldn't be feeding if I was you.

I can't see any photos?

 

[paddi22]

I can't see any photos?

the heat must be getting to me! I saw your pics and thought the OP had posted!

 

[EventerPony]

God I’m guilty of totally forgetting about this thread. I have no idea on how to attach photos, but I agree with you all, looking at her closely I think she looks just fine.

 

[EventerPony]