Should I reduce his hard feed ?

[DEBZ]

I have owned Tyler for 5 weeks and when I got him he was in poor condition. His top line is now much improved as a result of feeding him a conditioner and school work. He is now up to weight and condition and is back on nuts and chaff twice a day.

The grazing on my yard is fabulous and the spring grass is very rich. As we are due to change fields this weekend I was wondering if it may be advisable to cut down or cut out his hard feed for a temporary period to stop him putting on too much weight. He will only be turned out for 4 hrs the first two days and then an hour earlier each subsequent day.

Can anyone offer advice ?

Debbie

[DEBZ]

Can anyone offer help ?

[nutkin]

If your grazing is very rich and your horse is at his optimum weight and still gaining weight then yes I would cut back the hard feed a little.As you are new to owning him then it will take a while to get to know how he reacts to the spring grass but most horses generally get quite a spring in their step to begin with and can become more difficult to ride so it may be an idea to cut back just a little bit to begin with and see how he goes.If he maintains his weight then you know you are feeding him well and if he is still gaining weight cut back more hard feed whereas if he begins to lose alot of weight again you will need to increase it again.Is he still getting hay.Remember always to cut back hard feed before you cut out the fibre.

[dcp]

Yes I would cut down his feed. I wouldn't just stop it dead though do everything gradually. What breed is he?

[DEBZ]

Thanks for your answers - you have both said what I thought but wanted to check.

Tyler is an Irish Sports Horse, 16.3 hh and 8 yrs old. He is still getting hay overnight or whenever he is kept in, on an ad lib basis.

Debbie:)

[dcp]

I'm cutting down on my TB's hard feed he is due to go into the summer field in a few weeks.

[nutkin]

My horse is also ISH.In his case I am keeping him on the same feed.He only goes out for a few hours each day though plus also he is in quite hard work as the showjumping season has just started.

[teabiscuit]

watch his condition carefully and assess his feed needs from that-i bet the grass will do him the world of good though :)

[martini55]

I would condition score and weight tape regularly, just generally keep an eye on him. If he begins to increase weight then he is not needing as much feed and you should start to cut out the nuts.

[mayS]

Silly question :) but are you sure the weight gain is fat and not muscle? If you're working him more, he may just be filling out. Stockier breeds may seem "fat" when actually they're just big-boned and stocky anyway.

Can you post some pics for us to see?

[Bay Mare]

I have an ISH and she doesn't have any hard feed at all, she hasn't had hard feed since last summer. In fact last summer she stopped eating bucket feeds at all and was content with the grass in the field and a haynet when she was on the yard.

It is hay that puts the weight on anyway, hard feed is for energy which is why some horses react adversely to it (mine).

I've found a big improvement in her condition since going over to a forage based diet. Oh, and in case you're wondering she's MORE than enough energy! She can do a one hour intensive lesson without breaking a sweat and can happily hack out for two hours including some canters, gallops and a bit of jumping without a problem!

[DEBZ]

Interesting comments Bay Mare - my friend doesn't give hard feed either and has said it is for the same reasons as you.

I guess my main concern with Tyler is that he is pretty highly strung and the effect that the rich spring grass may have on his behaviour. I thought that cutting back on hard feed or cutting it out would help a bit.

I will be keeping a close eye on his weight, condition and behaviour and adjust feed as required. Thanks everyone for your opinions and advice.