Is it okay to feed my horse..?
Hey..
My horse Montana has lost some condition over the past month or so..
I’ve still been riding her.. Nothing major just PC, trail rides, jumping etc..
Today we got her some weightlifter, cool condition and some sort of a meal.. We also wormed her..
So we gave her 8 scoops of weight lifter + 2 scoops water, 1 scoop cool condition and 1 scoop of the meal thing plus a bale and a half of oaten hay..
How long will this take to fatten her up? Can I still ride her or should I give her a spell? I’ve got PC next Sunday.. Will she be fine for this??
She still energetic and everything.. She’s a QH x Crabbet Arab and ways around 350kg maybe?
Thnx x
Weight should never be gained or lost at speed – it’s a sure fire way to colic and other problems. It should be slow and steady, just like for people – otherwise you’re putting her health at risk.
Ten scoops in total is a massive feed. Aside from the risk of colic by introducing a new feed 8 scoops at a time, you’re risking colic by giving such a big feed! Horses are trickle feeders – they do best eating little and often. A horse’s stomach is only about the size of a rugby ball and isn’t as flexible as a person’s; it won’t stretch to squeeze in a big meal like ours will if we go for a pizza.
Weigh your horse using a weigh tape (350kg isn’t much, are you sure about her size?), then read the side of the feed bag regarding how much you should be feeding. Feed her half that amount for a week, and then build up to the full amount over another week. If in doubt, phone the feed company – most have a helpline and are happy to help. The phone lines are manned by nutritionists not salesmen so they know what they’re talking about and are driven by welfare not sales.
