shelterwood
Well-Known Member
Hi all...
I have a question about hay, obviously. My 2 mares, who are 40", are definitely putting on some pounds right now. This is more noticeable this year than last as they are more mature, being coming 3 and 4, and in better condition coming into the harsh weather. I have decent second cut timothy/grass mix hay, not stemmy, fresh, green hay. I have been giving them in general 1.5 flakes each per feeding, making a total of 3-4 smallish flakes total at each feeding twice per day. The only time they get additional is if the temp is single digits or below, or if they are wet from rain/sleet. The other night it was -10 degrees below zero, so they got a little extra.
I give 1-2 flakes in a hay rack, then 1-2 flakes in a slow feeder bag across the shelter, so they can work slowly on that over time. I know ideally I should be weighing their rations, but I just haven't gotten a scale, and to be honest, they were so thin when I got them that I hadn't worried. Now they are REALLY furry, but even my non-horsey neighbor commented on their "girth". They also get the suggested amount of Purina mini feed twice per day for their estimated weight and activity level. They are both in training to be driving horses, but get little actual exercise right now with the weather and daylight restrictions.
My main question is if I limit their hay further, it seems they won't be getting enough roughage to keep their digestive system healthy, or to keep the furnace going. I've seen people comment on here that they "free feed" hay. Anyone do this or have comments on how they manage their easy keepers this way? Should I cut out the concentrates/complete feed, or just cut that back some? I read somewhere that it's "ok if your horses are a little overweight going into the winter, use that time to slowly take pounds off", as they loose weight just staying warm, but it seems this is not exactly the time to be limiting roughage as the little guys are struggling to stay warm.
Now to take into consideration, I live in a VERY cold place, sometimes coldest in the nation. My mares live in a 24 hour turnout with run-in, so do get some low grade (and I mean LOW grade) exercise throughout the day, and are handwalked at least twice a week for exercise and change of scenery, but little cardio this time of year. I will try to snap some photos of them tomorrow to post for opinions. I really don't want to be that person who loves their minis to death!! Any advice would be appreciated.
Katie
I have a question about hay, obviously. My 2 mares, who are 40", are definitely putting on some pounds right now. This is more noticeable this year than last as they are more mature, being coming 3 and 4, and in better condition coming into the harsh weather. I have decent second cut timothy/grass mix hay, not stemmy, fresh, green hay. I have been giving them in general 1.5 flakes each per feeding, making a total of 3-4 smallish flakes total at each feeding twice per day. The only time they get additional is if the temp is single digits or below, or if they are wet from rain/sleet. The other night it was -10 degrees below zero, so they got a little extra.
I give 1-2 flakes in a hay rack, then 1-2 flakes in a slow feeder bag across the shelter, so they can work slowly on that over time. I know ideally I should be weighing their rations, but I just haven't gotten a scale, and to be honest, they were so thin when I got them that I hadn't worried. Now they are REALLY furry, but even my non-horsey neighbor commented on their "girth". They also get the suggested amount of Purina mini feed twice per day for their estimated weight and activity level. They are both in training to be driving horses, but get little actual exercise right now with the weather and daylight restrictions.
My main question is if I limit their hay further, it seems they won't be getting enough roughage to keep their digestive system healthy, or to keep the furnace going. I've seen people comment on here that they "free feed" hay. Anyone do this or have comments on how they manage their easy keepers this way? Should I cut out the concentrates/complete feed, or just cut that back some? I read somewhere that it's "ok if your horses are a little overweight going into the winter, use that time to slowly take pounds off", as they loose weight just staying warm, but it seems this is not exactly the time to be limiting roughage as the little guys are struggling to stay warm.
Now to take into consideration, I live in a VERY cold place, sometimes coldest in the nation. My mares live in a 24 hour turnout with run-in, so do get some low grade (and I mean LOW grade) exercise throughout the day, and are handwalked at least twice a week for exercise and change of scenery, but little cardio this time of year. I will try to snap some photos of them tomorrow to post for opinions. I really don't want to be that person who loves their minis to death!! Any advice would be appreciated.
Katie