He is out on a dry lot from 7am -7pm. It was grass but I cut it really low, so he does not even try to eat it. The farm he came from he had hay 24/7.More info please
How much pasture does he have to run on daily?
How long do you keep him turned out on pasture?
Is your pasture pretty much dead and shot?
What kind of feed are you feeding?
How often?
Agree 100%. I feed quite a lot of hay compaired to may people. But I specifically chose the native prairie/Bent grass hay mix because I know the farmer, the field it came off of, and that it tests very low in NSC (sugars). My boys have hay bellies because of the high fibar that they consume, but they do not have hard cresty necks or fat deposits. I do not show, so I'd rather have hay bellies than ulcers. I would never feed the same amount in a high sugar hay that one would feed to cattle or even hard working or growing horses.And the type/quality of his hay will be a factor in how much concentrate he gets as well -- calories and nutrition.
It is a timothy 1st cut, grass hay.
He is around 31'' high, dont know how much he weighs. maybe 2-250
He loves his feed and eats it all.I feed Nutrena Safe Choice to our weanlings too, and I think it is a fine grain for them - as long as they eat it, which ours do. If you read the recommended feed amounts on the bag you will see that the amounts per pound of body weight are highest for weanlings compared to other age horses. This is important! If you keep feeding minis at this rate of feed when they get older they WILL get fat (kinda like people!) but at this stage of their lives, when they are growing like weeds, they need this much grain - especially protein. And also note that a "hay belly" is more likely NOT due to too much hay - especially in a weanling - but will be due to not enough feed. Think of starving African children with their big bellies. If the minis are actually FAT, you will see or feel the fat in other places, like on the shoulders, ribs, hips, over the backbone, at the crest of the neck and/or by the tailhead. It is very important over that first winter to FEEL these areas on a regular basis to make sure the mini isn't getting too fat or too thin. Maybe your vet or farrier could show you what to look for?
Good luck!!
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