Feeding - how long do you wait after you ride?

[Roan Mare]

So guys, (those of you who ride before feeding) how long do you wait after you ride before giving a bucket feed?

I currently wait for at least 1 hour after riding, always have done as that's the length of time other people I know wait.

I was wondering if waiting this long is necessary for my pony's health and wellbeing or if I could get away with feeding a shorter length of time after riding.

I'd really like to go back to riding in the mornings and waiting 1 hour between riding and feeding would make this difficult, if not impossible for me.

Obviously my pony's health is more important than my convenience and I won't do it if it puts her at any risk.

[Alyria Leila]

I usually just wait untill my horse is calm, cool and not puffing or anything like that.

but them i'm only really doing ten minute sessions, so she usually stands and cools while i muck her bed a things!

if we have been out hacking and she is sweaty again just for aslong as it takes for her to cool and get herself together!!

[CityLights]

I tend to just wait until they are cooled down and breathing normally, as long as they arent having a huge bucket full of hard feed then it shouldnt be something to worry about too much

[My Crazy Clan]

I wait at least 1 hour plus.

[lilholley]

I only wait 20 minutes.. But to be fair, Bella only has a mug and a half of lo-cal. I basically leave it as long as I can, I go move the electric fencing etc so its usually more like 30 minutes but 20 is my minimum

[Roan Mare]

Cheers for your replies,

Dor only has a small feed too so I may try riding first and feeding her after I've mucked out, filled haynets etc and see how that works out.

[black crow]

Theoretically you must wait atleast 30 minutes at a minimum no matter what they have eaten. Any more than a standard intake of grass in a set period of time [5-10 minutes] they need time to digest it. Also, if their insulin levels are higher after eating, they need time to lessen before major exercise, as it can make them tire quicker - similar effect if you go swimming after eating. In some sensetive horses, it can cause colic.

I always leave an hour, but the times i used to ride it never got in the way of feeding etc

[lilholley]

we are talking about feeding after riding yeah? because that was what I was referring to in my post.. I would always leave at least an hour after feeding to ride