How often do you give your horse T&A hay?

3 Responses to How often do you give your horse T&A hay?

1. ap1188 says:

   December 30, 2008 at 6:57 pm

   Wow, that doesn’t seem like your horses are getting much at all. Our performance horses get a T&A blend 4 times a day. Most get about two pads in the morning, one at midday, two in the early evening, and one or two at night check. This comes out to about 6 to 7 flakes a day. Our hardest keepers and highest performances horses get up to 9 flakes a day. Our horses are turned out for about 5 hours in the morning or all night. Many also get beet pulp with their noon hay.

   T&A can be rich or poor quality depending on the amount of alfalfa in it. But it’s important that horses not constantly on grass get a good amount of hay to keep their digestive tract operating properly. Your horses may not be the hardkeepers you think they are, it just sounds like they’re not getting enough food. Talk to your barn owner about this, or consider switching barns. Poor nutrition is no joking matter with horses. It can lead to ulcers, colic, or even founder.
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2. Greg D says:

   December 30, 2008 at 7:39 pm

   My horses get T & A twice a day and 12 hours turn out per day.

   Maybe that’s why there hardkeepers??
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3. Trainer0KidzNponies says:

   December 30, 2008 at 7:45 pm

   T&A hay is probably better for them I give my horses 1 flake twice a day but they have unlimited grazing. Mixing 50/50 over a period of a few days will sufice. Depending on the activity and access to grass and grain will detirmine how much you need. Here are some sugesstions:

   Little/no grazing, light work outs (under 4 hours)- at minium 3 flakes per horse spilt into 3 meals is best (though 2 is more realastic for most people)

   Little/no grazing with average workouts- 4 flakes 2 at each twice day feeding. or split into serveral small meals

   Little/no grazing with heacy exercise- min. 4.5 flakes but perhaps just Alfalfa retricted to twice a day may suit better depending on your situations.

   Medium grazing(5-8 hours) with light work outs- only 1.5 flakes can be used. It can be fed once at night if he is stalled at night

   Med. Grazing average workout- 2-3 flakes is better

   Med. grazing heavy work outs- 4 flakes is best.

   Unlimited grazing or grazing over 12 hours & light work- 1 flake at night if needed

   Unlimited/large grazing average work-2 flakes is ok

   Unlimited/large grazing, heavy work out- 3-4 flakes or as needed may need more protien and calories

   Horse with tons of grazing time may not eat they hay, if they don’t eat it, don’t give it. If he is stalled give the bulk at night in order to entertain him and give him energy while he sleeps so he wakes up with energy and not tired and pacing for food. Smaller meals simulate grazing better and are better for their health. If possible feed him lunch.

   Hard keepers can be a hassle. Be sure your grain does not provide more than 50% of the total calories comsummed. Though an average horse gets 1lb. per 100 lbs ratio. Hard keepers doing hard workouts may need to switch feeds. High fat, protien, and low startch is good. Fat is better than calories for hard keepers though they do need a tad bit more. To avoid a more expensive hay/feed (such as striaght alfalfa) add no more than 1 cup of vegetable or olive oil. Beet pulp soaked properly can also help as well.

   For a cheaper more realistic feed (if your pasture is your own and no other horses go in it) get a compressed block hay. They are better than wheels and if you grass is lacking it can help and you can moniter his intake slightly better. Compressed block hay is also eaier on the wallet if it’s an option and you horse is doing tons of work. (do not get talked into buying a roll or wheel hay, you will waster your money)

   good luck.

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