WHY IS HE SO FIZZY AT THE MOMENT?

[Quantock-cob]

My first post so please be gentle with me.
I have owned a 15hh WelshxTB since June and although it has been a rollercoaster experince he has really settled down recently and we have got into a good routine. He is on part livery (in at night/out in day) and I try to ride or lunge 4/5 times a week.
However, for the last two weeks he has been so jumpy and fizzy, like a coiled spring, which has made me so nervous when riding him (I'm not the most confident rider). I think this may be due to one or both of the following:
1 - the YO has doubled his feed after I commented that there was no grass in the fields and he has lost quite a bit of weight. He is fed chaff, grass nuts, lucerne and molassed sugar beet. She has also increased his hay. When I asked her if this would affect him - she said no.
2 - It has been very cold here - but no snow. (he is not clipped but has med weight turnout rug and seems warm when he comes in from the field).

Would really appreciate if you think feed/ weather or a combination of both is affecting him and what I should do.
Many thanks. (Sorry this has gone on a bit!)

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Feed was what immediatley came into my head, so when you say its been doubled I wouldnt be suprised if that's what's contributing to it

What exactly is he on?

Have you noticed that since his feed has been upped so has his behaviour?

 

[SCG]

Definitely sounds like the feed, esp the molassed sugar beet - the sugar can make them fizzy. Could you feed unmolassed sugar beet, ie Speedibeet? I also think very cold weather can give them a spring in their step. Welcome to the forum by the way

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Woops, didn't see the bit about what he had

Agree with the above, get him off the molassed sugarbeet and also check to see how oily or molassed your chaff is. What brand have you got?

 

[sea_view]

Doubled feed for sure - should have up'd the hay first seen if that made a difference then looked at feed - has he been clipped in those two weeks too - that can sometimes cause a bit of excitement

 

[CalllyH]

feed and being in more will probably be the cause!

 

[debsflo]

drop the sugar beet.i would just increase fibre unless hes working hard.reduced turnout,less work re weather and cold frosty weather affects a lot of horses who are more laid back in warm weather.

 

[AmyMay]

Cut the feed - but ensure that he has adlib hay. But the weather also plays a huge part in their behaviour (or can do). My relatively laid back horse is verging on a raving lunatic at the moment.

He's not overfed - but is feeling very, very well. Especially in this colder, fresher weather.




.

 

[Ziggy_]

Ditto the others, cut his feed. And as others have said changes in weather often make horses go a bit loopy, whether its the first chilly autumnal days, the first warm sunny days in spring, or the freezing weather we're having at the moment!! Try not to worry too much, it always passes and he'll be back to normal before long. Mine has been absolutely bonkers this week as well.

 

[Quantock-cob]

Thanks to everyone for all your input - it has been very useful.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Cut his feed more hay