Read About Horse Care-Wellness

Categories in Pet Library
Featured Article

How and When to Feed your Horse

When properly feeding you horse you have many things to consider. The basis for feeding is the quality forage. One percent of a horse's weight is needed in forage to keep a healthy body function.

Hay, pasture and other fiber feed have forage. Based on your horse's diet, other feeds and grain supplements should be included in their forage. Moderate or high-energy horses will need more supplements should be inclined to their daily exercise. In reducing the chance of colic or horse founder, diet changes should be done slowly or over a couple week period. Do not over feed your horse, try and keep the feed at or less than 5 pounds (2.2 kg) of feed in a feeding.

Feeding should be varied. Weight and condition of your horse is the best way to decide on how much feed is needed. Always have clean water accessible for you horse. Allow the horse access to the salt when they wish to have it. The digestive system on your horse processes a large quantity of grass.

One thing to remember is your horse's feed must be free of mold and dust. The pasture your horse grazes in should not have dew or blossoms. Also the water given to your horse should be unfrozen, fresh, clean and available. Doing these steps and following the advice of your veterinarian will assist in giving your horse a long happy and healthy life.

The main thing to consider is horses should graze or eat hay when they choose. If their stomach lays empty they risk ulcers. Most horses, including active horses, do not need the extra carbohydrates or calories found in the grains. When horses are fed too much grain it leads to bone and joint problems.

During the winter months hay provides heat as well as calories. The hay is digested slowly, which keeps the horse fuller during a longer period of time. Heat digestion keeps the horse a couple of degrees warmer for as long as the hay is in the digestive system. If the horse is being worked, you may want to consider a higher quality of hay, such as alfalfa hay. The amount of feeding should be divided into two feedings. When there is no pasture during the winter months, a constant source of hay is needed. They need something available to nibble on.

No matter what you choose to feed your horse whether it be pasture, hay, grain or feed with supplements, you need to consult with your veterinarian your options for the proper feeding program for your horse.

Articles