What would you feed a 3 yr old Welsh D that is slightly underweight?

[EmmaAndSummer]

New horse dont know what to feed- She is in light work, starting to be ridden and just lunging... would like her to fill out a bit more and it isnt making much difference now because shes just on safe and sound and hi fi orig.

 

[CBFan]

Add lib hay for starters and then I would look at adding something as simple as speedi beet to what she already has but TBH most welshes I have known have looked a bit 'weak' as 3 and 4 year olds and really generally fill out at 5 and 6 so I really wouldn't be too worried.

 

[EmmaAndSummer]

yeah she is a bit 'weak' looking, needs to mature much more but just would like a bit more meat on her bones for winter haha

 

[TGM]

Ditto the adlib hay, this could make a huge difference if she is not getting as much hay as she can eat already. If she is already on ad lib hay, then try putting her on Alfa A Oil and Spillers Response Slow Release Cubes which will give her calories from fibre and oil, rather than cereals which might be rather exciting for a youngster just starting work!

 

[star]

fibre. she's Welsh - she'll be a late maturer and will fill out properly when she starts proper work. mine is only just looking a decent build aged 7. i'd start with plenty of hay/haylage. maybe add in alfalfa/sugar beet if she needs more.

 

[trendybraincell]

Like Star says being Welsh she'll take her time to mature fully, so don't pump her full of feed it will only have negative consequences in the future. Fibre is the most important thing, but I always like to feed a broad spectrum balancer to ensure all vits & minerals are there incase levels in grass & hay aren't sufficient

 

[ISHmad]

I agree with trendybraincell, lots of ad lib fibre and a good low calorie balancer. Nce to hear of a native youngster not already bursting out of her skin

 

[ever_hopeful]

Low Cal Balancer and ad lib hay or haylage. She'll soon start looking better. She's still very young

 

[EmmaAndSummer]

Im going to put her on lo cal balancer and pleantly haylage

thanks x

 

[EmmaAndSummer]

are we talking just 2 mugs of lo - cal... and loads of hay- surely this wont make her fill out a little bit more will it? doesnt seem much? or do i feel it ontop of her hi-fi orig? xx

 

[TGM]

The Lo Cal will supply your horse with all its vit/mins and some good quality protein to make up for what may be lacking in its hay. It also contains Yea Sacc which helps maintain good bacteria in the gut to ensure the horse can make the most of the fibre in its feed. However, it is not a significant source of calories on its own (hence the name Lo Cal).

Ad lib forage (hay/haylage/grazing) is one of the best, safest and most cost-effective ways to help a horse gain weight - so if your horse is not already getting as much hay/haylage as it will eat, then this change to the diet will make a big difference.

If the horse is already on ad lib hay/haylage, then the Lo Cal itself might not make a huge difference, and you might need to add another source of fibre-based calories. You could stick with the Hi Fi Original but this is quite a low calorie feed, so you might find it better to switch to a higher calorie chaff such as Alfa A Oil.

 

[JosieToby]

I feed baylies no.14 (Lo Cal) in the morning with abit of chaff, and then at tea time Scoop of calm and condition fantastic results, show condition all year round.