when to start feeding a cob

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I feed mine twice a day: Dengie Hi Fi Lite plus some Fast Fibre (left to soak for at least two or three hours which bulks it up a lot). He's in at night, and is fed when he comes in; plus overnight haynet; then in the morning is fed again before he's turned out. Having had a laminitic in the past, I found this routine worked well - as if you feed them before you turn out, it fills up their bellys so they don't want to stuff themselves on grass so much. Plus being in at night restricts the grass too.

Mine is a traditional cob, good doer, fairly placid. But if I even whisper the word "concentrate" he turns into an evil little sod!!! So I avoid anything concentrated or with cereals in; even some so-called "cool mixes" fizz him up. So its just the Dengie & Fast Fibre, or perhaps in the winter he'll have some unmollassed speedi-beet.

 

[narkymare]

lol ty mijods xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[**Vanner**]

I'm worried a bit now as I'm feeding my cob twice a day, though not that much (quarter scoop of pasture mix, half scoop of alfa a, small scoop of speedibeat and linseed), but he's only just 3 and still very much growing, and he does seem to be putting it all into growing. Keeping a close eye on it and think I'll be cutting down in the spring as he starts to be broken and brought into work, but I'll do this sooner if required.

Glad you said yours is 7, I was having a serious panick! Will be interesting when and if things turn around and he lives on air lol, I reckon he'll be a true to type cob in that respect

I was paniking too. My boy does get fed but is still growing.

 

[Kub]

Ah glad to hear someone else with a baby cob is feeding him hehe! I'm always worried he's going to get fat but he's a chunky monkey and I can still feel his ribs so guess it's not happened so far lol!

 

[CBFan]

I wouldn't feed unless I had to and TBH a cob especially should be able to maintain weight on hay alone especially if not in particularly heavy work.

Just keep an eye and if you see a bit more than a feint outline of ribs or a serious drop in condition then start feeding. I agree they should come out of winter a little on the light side.

Any youngsters too should have a feint outline of ribs most of the year...