Winter feed suggestions.

[Alirat27]

Hi, I am just looking for a bit of advice on what to feed my boy over winter. He generally has happy hoof molasses free and top spec senior balancer lite soaked with liquid boswellia supplement for his arthritic hocks and generally gets hay when bought in.

He tends to have this all year round, but I cut down during the summer and give him a small feed just so he can receive the supplement. He is on grass livery so is out 24/7 all year round.

However during the winter months he seems to come across hungry and will attempt to mug people for treats and will take ages bringing him in/taking him out as he constantly wants to graze down the lanes. Which is fine and I'm happy to hand graze him, but I don't always have the time during the week, and it making him forget his manners.

I was wondering if there was something I could possibly add to his feed over the winter, but wont give him the extra energy and send him nuts, as although he has arthritis he still can have his moments.

Any suggestions grately appreciated.

 

[ihatework]

Extra hay in his field

 

[milliepops]

Extra hay in his field

This ^^
If he's hungry its really the only thing that will solve the problem.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

As above lots of forage is what you really need to feed. I do add speedibeet which is high fibre low sugar and micronised linseed to my feeds in the winter for my oldie.

 

[PurBee]

Echo others he’s needing more fibre forage via hay, kilo’s of the stuff to replace what he was getting at grass during summer.
Grass growth in winter is extremely minimal if non-existent as 10+degrees is needed for adequate grazing growth so you don’t want to be thinking he’s getting plenty of fibre from grass in winter despite 24/7 turnout. Lack of fibre causing hunger would explain his behavior.
Beet pulp addition needs a phosphorus addition as beet is stupidly high in calcium and iron, meaning mineral adjustment needed too. It’s easier to give more hay than buy in and juggle ratio’s of beet, bran, copper, zinc.
Look into his calcium/phosphorus ratio of the bagged feeds to see if they are balanced 1:1 up to 2:1 calciumhos...arthritis can be caused by long term dietary calcium, phosphorus imbalance.

 

[L&M]

Forage, forage and more forage.....far cheaper and more natural!

 

[spotty_pony]

As others have said forage is all that is needed - but maybe try him on some grass pellets (soak them the night before feeding) if he wants grass. We have no grass left and I've been feeding a scoop per day to mine along with balancer and a scoop of chaff and ad-lib hay.