Hey New to the forum can i get some advice

[jacken around]

Hi everyone im new to the horse Forum stumbled across it at work today and found alot of the discussions quiet helpfull.

I have had Horses for most of my life however sold my last Yearling two years ago and have not got another horse up until two weeks ago when I bought a beautiful 16.1 hh solid Quarter Horse gelding.
He is nine years old and really has not done more than baby sit the weanlings at the stud that I bought him from.
This is the first time I have owned a horse that I did not have from very young and am finding some very bad habits.

He is on good pasture and I feed him twice a day both hard feed and hay but I find that he is woofing his hard feed down that fast he will start to cough I wet it all down but still doesn't help. I have never had a horse do this so im not sure how to stop him from doing it. Also when it comes to feed times he runs around the paddock absolutely mental bucking and carrying on if I shoo him off while im getting to his feed bucket im thinking that he is getting hot from what i'm feeding but it's only lucerne chaff oaten chaff barley bran and corn so not sure what his problem is. Any suggestions

[luvs2ride1979]

Corn can make a horse hot. You might try replacing it with oats.

To help him slow down, put some large rocks in his bucket. They should be large enough that he can't easily put one in his mouth. 1-2 rocks in there will force him to nose around for his feed and slow down.

[iridehorses]

Luvs2ride is right on concerning rocks in his bucket.

How much feed are you giving him? My QHs are on pasture 24/7 and I feed twice per day but only to get them up to check on them. I actually weigh their feed and they get 1/2lb x2 and I ride 4 or 5 days per week.

The fact that he was a babysitter for youngsters may have something to do with the problem if they were all fed together. He may have been low on the picking order or at least had to eat fast to get any at all. BTW, is he alone? Most horses need a little companionship or they don't do well. Even a goat helps.

[Spirithorse]

I guess the rocks in his bucket would cause him to slow down....never would have thought that. Good idea!

If the horse is an easy keeper I would be careful feeding oats. Two of our horses who are easy keepers are on the Progressive feed. It's a pelleted feed that is meant to supplement horses who are on pasture and hay. It gives them the vitamins and minerals they need, to an extent, and it's working great for them. Coats are shiny, their feet are good, etc. They are maintaining a good weight.

[Andi]

I would cut out the corn - its heats them up, and I wouldn't give him outs either, I find that is even worse.

Instead of feeding him in his paddock maybe take him out and put him in a small yard for an hour or so. Leave him in for the same amount of time each time you feed. If he takes 20 mins normally leave him in for an hour. Once he is used to it he should settle and may eat slower if he knows he has the time.

[nldiaz66]

I tie my horse up while I get his feed, because he sometimes acts like a nut, when I'm done and he's settled down I will let him go.I think it teaches them patience.Just my opinion

[Dumas'_Grrrl]

I would cut the feed way back. Or perhaps change feeds. I have 2 QH's and they get 2 cups each /every evening (sweet feed). I feed in a large/long cattle feeder. I position myself between the fence and the feeder, that is my area, NO horse is allowed in that whole 8' span when I'm there. I don't drop a kernel of feed into the trough until BOTH horses are standing quietly. If they reach for the bucket, they get told NO. They have had to go from a free for all at their old home to quite manners here. It has eliminated fighting over feed and the rate at which they eat it.

I like the rock idea. I also think he may need a buddy. If he's alone he may be really scared without the babys.

[jacken around]

Ok thanks ill give the rocks a try for sure.
He is in a paddock by himself but he has horses in paddocks on both sides of him so not completly alone. Where I agist him they don't like to put horses in together so has has to be in his own paddock.
I feed him about three kg of hay a day and about three and half kg of hard feed a day which for his size and the fact that he is coming into work for the first time in his life, I didnt think was to much I don't want him to drop to much condition getting exercised three to four days a week, short training sessions.
Thanks very much for everyones input.

[whitetrashwarmblood]

Originally Posted by luvs2ride1979    

To help him slow down, put some large rocks in his bucket.

Exactly. :)
Some of the boarders I take care of at my barn are weird and think the rocks are somehow 'dangerous' to put in their feed bucket, so they are more comfortable putting a small salt or mineral block in there. Idk. Whatever floats your boat.