Feeding hay to grass kept horse

[lkpink]

Its my first yr of having my daughters pony living out 24/7. We have plenty of grazing so I'm strip grazing, plus she's laminitic. I'm feeding her one hard feed a day but at the minute no hay. If she has access to good grazing do I need to give hay?. I've given her quite a bit of grass as I'm not too worried about using it all as she will have to go on restricted grazing during the spring - am I doing the right thing? X I just don't see the point in buying hay if she has access to grazing?? X

[lavendersun]

I keep mine out 24/7 on 10 acres which I have to section off as they would be fat/laminitic. I do feed them hay for 4/5 months a year even though there is more than enough grass for me not to.

I like them to have the option of coming in from the inclement weather and munching on hay - but I am not trying to save money.

Not sure if that is your aim but I don't think you need to feed hay if losing weight isn't an issue.

[mrslaughan]

There are many more experienced people on here than me......but here's my two pennies worth!
Ponies should loose a little of condition over winter, but you don't want that to be huge ..... Maybe use a weight tape to make sure he/she does not loose too much.
Where we are its not really cold and the grass is still growing - so presuming he/she is not dropping a huge amount of condition, I wouldn't supplement with hay.
Having said that I would keep a couple of bales on hand for when winter really arrives..... If there was snow on the ground I would feed it - hay heats the horse from the inside out so will help keep them warm if say snow is on the ground.
I would calculate how much hay he/she should get in a day and feed that split , maybe giving the most in the evening when it is colder.
My theory is - if grass is still growing they shouldn't need hay!

[lkpink]

Thanku, that's what I was sort of getting at, we have plenty of grass so I just wanted to make sure that the grass and feed was enough and she didn't need hay xx

[GraceKellysLeftArm]

Sack the hard feed and give hay.

[Pixel]

I must admit with a laminitic I tend to go the other way and give them some hay to fill them up so they don't eat so much grass, especially if it's still growing well as it has been this year. I'd much rather do that than give them hard feed. I agree ponies should ideally go into the spring a little lean (not thin!) to give them the best chance of avoiding a bout of laminitis.

[CoppyPock]

I have a lami pony who lives out 24/7 and is on hay.
We don't have any grass left really thanks to the mud taking over but in your position I would rather him have less grass and regular hay - no hard feed.

In the summer he is restricted and given hay.

On another note...my tb is also on the same diet but with more hay, no lami. He thrives on this diet as do his barefeet! Hay is always a good thing!

[Booboostwo]

Ditto the above, stop the hard feed and give hay.

[ADishBestEatenCold]

What hard feed are you giving and why? What type, size and age of pony?

[VegetablEsoup]

we would feed hay and a tiny amount of oats to lure pony in in the shack in bad weather. mainly to give pony (and hoves) a chance to dry.