Q: My nine-year-old 16.2hh part-Hanoverian is turned out for four hours a day during early spring along with five other geldings. Unfortunately, the paddock offers very little grazing during these months. I believe there are dried grass products available with similar feed values to grass, which can supplement a horse’s winter diet and add a bit of variety when grazing is scarce. Could you suggest products for me to try?
A: Manufacturers say that their quick-dried grass products are palatable, nutritious and as good as fresh grass. Within hours of being harvested from the field, the grass is flash-dried at high temperatures to remove the moisture content and extract dust.
Generally, you can feed these products as a partial hay replacer, as a chaff to slow down eating or on their own as a treat. Speak to the individual companies for advice on how to incorporate their product successfully into your individual horse’s diet.
It is not advisable to feed large quantities to horses or ponies prone to laminitis.
“It takes longer to eat than hay and has high levels of protein and fibre, so it is good for keeping weight on,” says Clare. Priced £8.60 for 18kg, tel: (01908) 226 626 for stockists.
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