I just wanted to add that a horse should never have more than 3kg of feed per feed as this is too much over load hence why feeds are given in two or three sessions or even 4 in some cases.
The welfare of my horses always comes first and that would even mean going up late when its dark in any weather just to make sure they are fed, checked over and have plenty of hay.
You say you can't afford to pay someone to feed your horse on an evening but then that raises the question why have the horse if you can't ensure he is getting the feed and rations required. Not trying to sound dominating or mean here just facing facts.
Looking back over your threads it doesn't sound like your feeding enough. I would cut out the meadowmix and the low cereal mix and instead change to High Fibre Cubes which are none heating, safe for horses prone to laminitis though your horse has never had this and a good sourse of feed for helping with weight issues.
A dash of speedi beet is not adaquate, I would increase that to 300g dry weight split into two feeds made with warm water to take the chill off.
It has also come to my mind that if your horse is only fed once a day and given hay who checks on your horse incase of injury, twistred rugs etc on a morning and gives extra hay?
You also mention sometimes your horse gets two feeds, this is not only confusing your horse but also upsets the gut balance. Seriously for the sake of a few pounds more each week ask someone to feed your horse for you on the days you can't get there. Do without nights out, ciggies if you smoke, the trip to the takeaway, anything that helps you to be able to afford to have your horse checked over and given a feed.
Again just want to point out that I am not trying to be nasty or anything here or make you feel bad just I am the type who puts my horses welfare before mine.
Does seem a bit nasty to be honest, it seems you are accusing my of putting my own welfare before my horse?? Hmm..
My initial post was a concern about the amount of oil going into her feed. She gets fed, checked on, feet picked out, rug checked EVERYDAY. We never EVER miss a day. I kind of resent being accused of that. The issue we have is getting there twice a day when I'm at Uni and my mum works full time. Not easy for all of us you know. If we can't get up there then the yard do her, of course they do. When I'm away the yard do her for half of the week while my mum works. There are people up at the yard all the time, the other pony in the field also gets checked on throughout the day. If anything was amiss it would be spotted.
Regarding feed, the field is hayed once a day in the evening (by me, another owner or the yard). But during the heavy snow the yard have been putting hay in in the morning as well. She is a good doer and always has been, up until this winter. She is going on 17 so probably just needs an extra boost. Also, I reiterate, she is nowhere near underweight. She just has less fat on her than usual. To be honest it's just compared to her usually porky belly! hence why one (small) feed a day should be enough. If she loses any more weight then of course I will add more (in 2 feeds not one).
I am not putting my welfare before my horse, thanks for that.
Don't know if I'm in a bad mood, but it has kind of upset me this, it feels like you are accusing me of not taking care of my horse.
I'm sure you don't mean it like that, but you can see how mentioning welfare gets my hackles up!
If your sec d is getting good quality hay that is always available and is unclipped, rugged up and not in work but not maintaining weight then I wouldn't class that as being a good doer.
I have to admit that my first thoughts are how much hay is available to her
Yes that was my first thought
, we have added more hay as the winter has gone one. They now have access to a good bale of hay a day (especially in the snow) between two of them. Less when the snow melts.
