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Date Posted: 15:33:25 04/29/10 Thu
Author: Cat
Subject: Diet / suggested feed

Hi all:

I have had my gelding now for 2.5 years and he just turned 7. My question is about typical body structure and the filling out of a Friesian as they reach full maturity at around 8 years of age. He has changed so much in build that I am getting worried I am not feeding him properly and possibly too much.

My gelding is about 163 / or 16 hh and he is very stocky with a compact, baroque build (look at Feitse his grandpa and you will see his twin). I get varied remarks from people that he is just a big horse to fat but my vet says that he is fine (only slightly overweight) and that people like Friesians this way.

However, I am only interested in his health but at the same time I do not want to starve him either. I guess it does not help that another Friesian stands across from him and is of the sporty build, nearing 17 hh and has no belly whatsoever at 5 years of age. My Friesian looks like a pony next to him :) with a bit of a hay belly.

He is on a strict worming schedule, his coat is jet black and shiney so it is not worms; his bedding is straw which I know he eats.

Feed:

Morning

1/4 cup of Hypona 788 (mixed sweet feed)
hay measured out acording to the groom (maybe 1 flake but it varies)

Lunch

1/4 cup Hypona


Dinner
Hay measured out by groom (same as above)
1/4 cup Hypona

Evening:
no more than 5 carrots as a treat, alternated with 1 apple or bit of banana but not everyday
1 hay cube (about size of hand - pre-packaged from Hypona) to help against ulcers (should this be removed?)


He will be going out on pasture soon (we started the daily hand grazing) so it would be good to get a headstart on this now.

He is lightly excercised about 5 times per week and goes in the walking machine every day. I just returned from holiday and noticed his belly went down a bit but someone was riding him almost everyday while I was gone. I am not sure if I can keep up with this type of schedule though.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Cat

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