The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: laurelrus on October 31, 2017, 10:09:19 am
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We got our two Shetlands this summer so this will be our first winter looking after them. We have donkeys so know how to do them over winter but I'd really like advice on the right feed/amounts for the little boys.
We give the donkeys (big miniatures!) HiFi Lite and Saracens donkey diet in the winter and barley straw (all year).
I've read a lot about the importance of not overfeeding Shetlands but with the weather changing I'd like to know what's best for them.
Thanks very much
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Shetlands are designed to thrive in harsh conditions with little to eat so they are great converters of not a lot. I wouldn't expect them to need any more than good hay and a mineral lick once the weather really changes.
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I have several donkeys, a mule and used to have a cob pony.
I believe the cob is very similar to a Shetland in that both will put weight on readily, especially in spring.
So my cob was kept with the donkeys and mule over winter and fed the same, ie ad lib straw, a bit of hay, and a mineral lick. That way he didn't put on weight over winter, but always had plenty to eat. He may in fact may have lost a bit, but he was never hungry and was ok then to graze spring grass without the risk of becoming obese.
Equines are kept warm by the fibre they eat, so however cold it was he always had sufficient fibre available in the straw to keep him warm.
So I would give your shetlands exactly the same as your donkeys, and that way they'll have a bit of leeway to put on weight when spring arrives.
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Thanks very much, landroverroy and harmony, they already have a mineral lick and it's good to know we're on the right track!
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Good points well made Scarlet Dragon.
One of the points about over rugging is that horses/ponies should lose weight in the winter. Obviously not to the point of starvation.
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I have had Shetlands for many years and it all depends on age, health, and the grazing you have. I have 3 out all winter with the sheep. they have a field shelter and get addlib hay plus a very small feed of hi fibre cubes and speedy beet. My small cob and my other Shetland( he has back problems and has had laminitis due to his back) come in at night. Again hay nets and a small feed. They also all get carrots. Some Shetlands will put on weight all year but mine lose in the winter and then get fat over the summer eeven though I strip graze them.
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Thanks very much Sabrina and Scarlet.Dragon - they act like they're really hungry all the time and we've been falling for it...!
I'll stick with the barley straw, carrots for treats and not be conned!
They do have the most incredible velvety coats for winter, they're beautiful but much less sweet and placid than the donkeys!
They have a new stable, we'll keep the doors open all the time.
They have eaten their paddock down to absolutely nothing which is why I worried they were getting hungry. We're
going to have to fence it off, move them to the paddock behind and reseed it ready for next year.
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My Shetland gets a haynet along with the other 2 horses, if feed needed then a little chaff with speedibeet :)