Q & A: I'm going to be doing more with my horse should I change the hard feed?
QUESTION: ๐'๐บ ๐ด๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐บ๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ'๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐น๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐, ๐น๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ป๐, ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐, ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ?
ANSWER: There will be some horses who may need to have their hard feed adjusted but don't jump too fast...
Some will start to work harder after a winter break or due to the increase in competitions, hacks etc. However, do not be tempted to up feed quantity or type until the work you are doing has increased and there is the requirement to do so. Remember the golden rule โnever feed in anticipation of work doneโ. If you do, it may lead to excessive weight gain or potentially unwanted behaviour plus exacerbate certain clinical conditions. Monitor weight, BCS (Body Condition Score) alongside exercise levels and particularly at this time of year the effect of the changing grazing on your horse or pony. Only then if required make changes to hard feed gradually. You may just find the increased grazing provides the additional energy (calories) your horse requires even with an increased workload... If you do have to increase or change the feed however, ultimately you want to do it in a safe, considered manner.
Ensure that whatever the diet you are feeding that it is balanced and that you are providing electrolytes as necessary. If you are unsure it might be the perfect time for a diet check.
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