Nursing Mama feed question

My boys pony foaled last month and I am worried she isnt getting enough to eat. Her ribs arent showing or anything but I know how quickly the can lose weight. I currently feed her 1/2 lb Horsemans Edge 12/6 pellets 2 times a day and most of the time she has full access to a round bale unless she is in the stall in which she gets 1 flake 2 times a day...all the water she can drink. I have no idea how much she weighs ahe is about 12 ish hands give or take. I asked the vet after the baby was born if I needed to feed her more and he said no, but I am not so sure. The pic in my avatar and in my barn were taken last week.

We grain our nursing mares 3x a day. Saves from huge meals and maintains the energy and weight.

Hay and water free choice.

Hmm I wish I could feed 3 times a day but I am usually not here mid day.

I feed at 5:30 a.m., my husband feeds 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. And then bed time feed is between 9 and 10 p.m.

We also feed a youth formula for the nursing mares. When the foals start showing an interest, we give them a handful in another bucket. When they start eating more than nibbles, we creep feed them.

Hmm a late night feed work work! I hadn't though of that. Duh. Thanks so much!

How much does she weigh? I can get you the NRC requirements, not sure if you want to go that in depth though.

I have no idea how much she weighs. I wish I did.

You can use this formula

Adult horses:
Lb body wt= (heart girth in inches squared * length in inches) / 330

This gives a pretty good approximation.

Check this website for where to measure

http://images.chron.com/blogs/hoofbe...eightguide.jpg

I like to give our ponies 16 percent feed while they have a nursing foal. Especially if they are prone to being pulled down by a foal. Can't really see her much in that picture. A good way to know is if the backbone is up the horse is too thin.