What to feed??

[popeyesno1fan]

After buying the pony, now to put more condition on him, he needs it!!! Any recommendations on what to feed him to put on condition with fizzing him up. I normally feed cool and cooked and spedi beet, but have never really had to fatten up a pony before. any suggestions appreciated. xxx

 

[nikicb]

Personally I would start off with ad lib hay and see how that goes. You really don't want to be trying to put condition on too quickly with a child's pony or it could easy become too whizzy. What feeding regime/turnout regime is he currently on?

 

[popeyesno1fan]

He's out on good grass at the moment, and gets a scoop of "cool and cooked" (coarse mix, no oats), after been ridden. I'm only asking, as while he's not poor, he's not in any way heavy. He does need a bit of condition put on, I think the grass should do it, but incase it doesnt, i want to be ready with plan B.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

He doesn't look poor in the photos on your other thread and you did say that he hasn't been having any extra feed. How much work will he be doing? As the grass is still growing, I'd be wary of giving him anything extra. If he does need a bit more condition, some hay should do the trick. Do please be careful, a lot of people have been caught out by laminitis this year.

 

[**Vanner**]

Ad lib forage helps immensely, I also love alfa a oil as a feed for adding bloom.

 

[popeyesno1fan]

I'm prob fussing over nothing, I'll try to take a pic from the side tomorrow and post it, so you can see what I'm talking about. he's not poor but not in great condition either, I hate to see ponies fat, so will be very careful, i think i need to get the side view photo and then maybe it might help ye to see what i mean. I'll be back tomorrow night with the photo. xx

 

[nikicb]

Please be careful if he is out on good grass. Don't forget the grass becomes rich again September time - he'd be far better off on the lighter side (and he looks a naturally lighter build, rather than thin) than heavier.

 

[RainbowDash]

Hi,

I brought my fella back in January - he really needed to put some condition on (have a look at my early photos you'll see what I mean - there's after pics there too). He's now a good weight (thanks to his huge appetite) and a little plumper than i'd like but he's (temporarily) on good grass at the mo.

Joey doesn't look too bad from your photo's but cameras never tell the true story - personally i'd leave him on the good grass and see how he goes - inc. standard feeds.

Don't be tempted to feed him up too quickly - (take it slowly) - otherwise he'll just put too much weight on and it's harder to shift it than put it on.