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You are in... Forums > Archive (locked) > Other Archive > How to feed correctly....

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emwood1

Joined:

Apr 08

Posts: 146

emwood1 says:

How to feed correctly....

Hi everyone....[:D] I'm seeking much needed advice and help, again!! [:I] When it comes to knowing what to feed etc, and when to feed etc, I am most definately useless. Ki (16.2hh TB 6yr gelding) is currently being fed: Applechaff (1scoop <--- not that telling you how many scoops helps ubt it is a large scoop) Sugarbeet (pellets) (2scoop) Top Spec (1/2 ration for 600kg horse) And oil for his coat shine. [:D] I'm going to look into switching the sugarbeet to Alpha-beet, after some useful advice already given today, but it got me thinking..... Can anyone advise me on the comparisons between Alpha-beet and Sugarbeet, and which would be recommended? Ki is in decent condition much still room for improvmenet, and being a TB he easily drops weight. Also, I've only had him 6 weeks so I'm not in a 'feed' routine with him...given the fact he's stabled over night at the mo, and at grass for 12hours a day, when would be the best time to start cutting down his feed, and when would be the best time to start leaving out over night???? Sorry so many Qs, I panic that I may do things wrong if I don't get advice. [:I][:I] THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH in advance everyone...[:X] xx

 
  • Posted 6 years ago (09 February 2008 00:24)
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aimee6171

Joined:

Feb 06

Posts: 443

aimee6171 says:

Re: How to feed correctly....

Well its quite hard to work out how much to feed a horse! Baileys website give good guides but they obviously just give you baileys brands feeds! If you have only had him for 6 weeks then I presume you are still feeding what his previous owners were feeding him? If he seems to be doing ok on what you are feeding now I don't really see any reason to change it now, especially now summer is on the way! Are you weighing him regularly? With a new horse I would be weighing at least every week until I have sussed them out. All our horses have been rugged and turfed out 24/7 since before Christmas. Each of them are still getting a basic chaff and pony nut feed with sugabeet once a day. We are going to start cutting their feeds down as of next week. (the ones that are not young or in work anyway) As the spring grass is starting to come through and as much as TB horses can lose weight, they can also gain it just as easily and quickly! My horse and my boyfriends who are in regular work will still be having a daily feed though. Hope I helped a bit! [:)]

  • Posted 6 years ago (11 April 2008 16:15)
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haffyfan1

Joined:

Apr 08

Posts: 1076

haffyfan1 says:

Re: How to feed correctly....

Regarding how much feed/what type I would contact one of the big manufacturers and follow Aimees great advice too. I use alfabeet as it's laminitis clinic approved, and hence much lower in sugar than traditional beet. It also soaks quicker and the addition of the alfalfa is meant to make it more digestable, which in theory means it should be better for conditioning a poor doer. Mine live out all year and as long as they are adequatly fed/rugged/have shelter available most horse can cope with this. I have cut mine down to one feed a day (forage only...hifi lite and alfa beet) and also less hay as the grass is coming through. It is best to play it by ear so to speak and do what you think is best, by weighing regulary you can see if he may need more/less feed etc

Who ever said money can't buy you happiness, didn't know where to buy a horse! http://thepaddocks.proboards85.com/index.cgi

  • Posted 6 years ago (12 April 2008 20:26)
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Brigadier

Joined:

Nov 06

Posts: 237

Brigadier says:

Re: How to feed correctly....

Hi Emwood The best reference for feeding is Horse and Stable Management by Jeremy Houghton Brown and Vincent Powell Smith ISBN 0-632-02141-1 It gives all the rational and the appendices contain all the calculations. However in day to day practice its really about how the horse looks and keeping your mind open as what works for one doesnt for another. Generaly you should feed about two and a half percent of your horses bodyweight in food per day and depending on how much work it is doing depends on the ration of forage to concentrate. however with the new knowledge about gastric ulcers etc etc and the availibility of horse superfoods even this general rule can differ. The best guestimate I came across was double the height and knock a bit off then feed that in lbs adjusting forage to work e.g 16.2hh (your horse) in light to med work 30lbs approx food per 24 hours. light to med work- 25-35% hard feed/75-65% forage which would be (my maths is crap) about 7-10 pounds hard feed and the remainder forage. However...... he's thoroughbred so Id personally knock the hard feed down and increase the forage, plus if its haylage not hay he'd need even less...so you see how complicated it gets????? Then you need to understand whats in the hard feed- how much protein etc. Thats why its easier and often the best to feed by eye - but to understand it thats where the book comes in. good luck

  • Posted 6 years ago (13 April 2008 11:28)
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