Sponsored content in collaboration with DengieChanging weather patterns are affecting grazing and forage availability across the UK, but Dengies range of short chop and pelleted fibre feeds can be used as partial or full forage replacers to help you meet your horse or ponys fibre requirements.The British weather ischangingand the UK has been experiencing longer periods of drought morefrequently, which is having an impact on grazing and availability of forage.Aforage replaceris a useful alternative and can make forage last longer. Using a couple of kilos (the typical weight of a section of a small bale of hay) each day is practical for most people to use and is between 20-25% of a 500kg horses requirement.For when forageisjust too goodSometimesyourforageor grazingis just too good for your horse or pony.Using a low-calorie chopped fibre feed can help reduce the calories provided by forage.DengieMeadow Lite with Herbsis a soft blend of grass and soft straw with tasty herbs and postbiotics to support digestive health. Naturally low in sugar at just 3%and starch at 0.5%,it can be fed ad lib as alow-calorieforage replacer.Alternatively, opt forDengieHi-Fi Lite,a straw and alfalfa blend with a light molasses coating. Offer a large tub trug to help keep the good doer chewing and occupied while stabled.For when forageisjust not good enough!At the other end of the spectrum, poor grazing or late cut forages are likely to be less nutritious. Using a higher calorie forage replacer is an easy and safe way to provide extra calories without having to use more cereal-based feeds. DengieMeadow Grass with Herbs & Oilcan be fed upto1kg per100kg of bodyweight as apartial forage replacer.Help for poor dentitionA compromised ability to chew is not just a problem for veterans as diastemas are increasingly being diagnosed at any age. Ifthehorse or pony can still manage a short, softchop,then one that can be used as a complete forage replacer isDengieHi-Fi Senior.This can be fed to horses and ponies of any age and combines grass and alfalfa. Feed ona weight-for-weight basisto replacehay.If they can no longer manage any choppedfibre,thenDengieGrass Pelletscan be soaked and fed as a mash. It helps toincrease water intake andso is greatto useinhot weather and during the colder monthswhen your horseor ponymay be more reluctant to drink.5 facts about forage replacersNot all feeds can be used as a forage replacer for horses and ponies they must be high fibre and low starch as well as being nutritionally comparable to forage to besuitable.Feeding insufficient forage replacer, and therefore fibre, increases the risk of digestive issues, including colic and loose droppings.Make sure you weigh a forage replacer to ensure you are feeding enough.A minimum of 1.5% of bodyweight on a dry matter basis should be provided daily when totally replacing the usual forage ration. For a 500kg horse, this is 7.5kg dry matter. Given that many forage replacers are around 90% dry matter, this is 8.3kg of forage replacer as fed (7.5/0.9). Call the Dengie feedline to speak to a qualified nutritionist if youd like help calculating your horse or ponys ration.Forage replacers cantbe fed in a net. They should be fed in a large, wide-bottomed bucket. Putting a football or some large, smooth pebbles on top can help to slow intake.Like all dietary changes, a forage replacer should be introduced gradually into the ration over the period of at least a few weeks. Once a forage replacer has been gradually introduced, it isappropriate togive it to the horse in larger amounts.Feed forage replacers in a large, wide bucketTop tip!Offering a bucket or two of chopped fibre alongside the usual forage ration isa great wayto keep your horse or pony interested and encourage foraging behaviour,especially when stabled for longer periods.Find out more about the full Dengie range at dengie.comRelated contentHow hard is your horse really working? *Sponsored*A feed to support and maintain healthy hooves, even if your horse is a good-doer *Promotion*Feed 80% of forage during the day to reduce ulcer risk, says vet10 ways to encourage your horse to forage and keep his mind busyThe post Forage replacers for every horse and pony when hay and grazing is poor *Ad feature* appeared first on Your Horse.