Ribby 5 year old TB

Question
I live in South Africa and own a 5 year old 16.1hh Thoroughbred gelding. He is stabled from 6pm-7:30am and is out in a paddock from 7:30am to 6pm. We have just moved into Spring so the weather is warm so he is not rugged.

However, it doesn't rain during the winter months here so there is little grass in the paddock but he has access to big round bales of teff that are scattered around the paddock.

He gets 3kg of 12% Milmac Meal (a brand of horse food here in SA) and 1kg of Defatted Germ Meal spread out over 2 meals a day. He gets 2 teff nets in the evening too and is on Biotizer Supplement (a probiotic) plus a Hoof Supplement and a joint supplement.

He was dewormed about 2 weeks ago and is worked 3 times a week by me and lunged once a week by a groom. We are mainly doing basic schooling and Dressage right now. His work is moderate, not hard at all.

However, with the seasons changing, he seems to be rather ribby and is looking a big 'gawky'. What can I do to help him gain some weight? He kept up a great condition during Winter, but is looking dreadful right now. Am I feeding him a proper diet?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Trix,

To be honest I had to research what tef was, it's not used much/if at all here in Australia.

From the nutrient composition analysis I have found it is very similar to our oaten hay.

It has medium levels of energy and fairly low levels of protein.  

I suggest that you change your hay or at least supplement the hay with a legume hay such as lucerne/alfalfa.  I would feed him the legume hay of a night and let him self graze on the tef bales during the day.

What is the DE of the Milmac Meal?  Depending on this level it may be warranted to add a little grain or a non grain substitute such as rice bran or copra (coconut meal) or oil.


Good luck!