Feeding a horse is one of the most importantresponsibilities of a horse owner.
If not done correctly and overfeeding grain feeds a horse can develop colic, (build up of gas) it is caused as horses are unable to burp.
This is very serious and in same cases can be fatal.
The Ten Rules Of Feeding There are 10 rules to feeding horses these are - FEED LITTLE AND OFTEN-Horses have quite small stomachs so food must be fed small amounts at frequent intervals.
Ideally a horse should never go more than 8 hours without feed.
PLENTY OF BULK-To work efficiently a horses digestive system needs to be constantly filled.
To achieve this feed bulk feeds such as hay and grass.
CORRECT AMOUNT AND TYPE- You can cause your horse physical and mental problems feeding too much, too little or the wrong type of feed.
GOOD QUALITY-Make sure your food isn't past its sell by date.
MAKE NO SUDDEN CHANGES TO DIET-Introduce new feeds gradually to avoid digestive problems.
DO NOT FEED DIRECTLY BEFORE EXERCISE-A horse must be allowed at least 1 hour after a feed before he is worked.
If this isn't done a horses can develop colic and breathing problems.
ROUTINE-Horses are creatures of habit.
CLEANLINESS-Keep all utensils scrupulously clean.
A SUCCULENT EACH DAY-This is very import if the horse is not at grass.
Apples, carrots and swedes add variety and provide some essential vitamins.
WATER BEFORE FEEDING-A horse can wash undigested food out of its stomach if he drinks after feeding.
Also when feeding horses there are other considerations these include- THE WEIGHT OF THE HORSE THE BREED TEMPERAMENT AMOUNT AND TYPE OF WORK TYPE OF RIDER WETHER FULLY STABLED OR AT GRASS TIME OF YEAR TYPE OF PASTURE AGE OF HORSE APPROXIMATE DAILY AMOUNTS OF DIET FOR DIFFERENT HEIGHTS 17 hands-34lbs 16 hands-30lbs 15 hands-26lbs For the horses and ponies who are half a hand or 2 inches 14 hands-22lbs higher, an extra 2lbs is added example 13.
2 hands-20lbs, 13 hands-18lbs 12 hands-14lbs ALSO THE PERCENTAGES OF BULK AND CONCENTRATES CHANGE DEPENDING ON WORK.
A horse in light work should get 30% concentrate 70% bulk.
A horse in medium work should get 50% concentrate 50% bulk And a horse in hard work should get 70% concentrate 30% bulk.
Most feed merchants have balanced diets for all type of horses and all types of work.
So the horse owners job isn't as hard as it used to be.
Most feed merchants have dieticians so you can ask them or your vet what to feed your horse.
Most compound feeds have guild lines on the back of the bag and phone numbers you can ring for help.
Always insure your horse has access to clean fresh water.
A horse can drink between 10-15 gallons a day.
One last thing please remember all percentages and feed quantities are guide lines.
EAch horse is an individual and will have to be closely monitored.
If not done correctly and overfeeding grain feeds a horse can develop colic, (build up of gas) it is caused as horses are unable to burp.
This is very serious and in same cases can be fatal.
The Ten Rules Of Feeding There are 10 rules to feeding horses these are - FEED LITTLE AND OFTEN-Horses have quite small stomachs so food must be fed small amounts at frequent intervals.
Ideally a horse should never go more than 8 hours without feed.
PLENTY OF BULK-To work efficiently a horses digestive system needs to be constantly filled.
To achieve this feed bulk feeds such as hay and grass.
CORRECT AMOUNT AND TYPE- You can cause your horse physical and mental problems feeding too much, too little or the wrong type of feed.
GOOD QUALITY-Make sure your food isn't past its sell by date.
MAKE NO SUDDEN CHANGES TO DIET-Introduce new feeds gradually to avoid digestive problems.
DO NOT FEED DIRECTLY BEFORE EXERCISE-A horse must be allowed at least 1 hour after a feed before he is worked.
If this isn't done a horses can develop colic and breathing problems.
ROUTINE-Horses are creatures of habit.
CLEANLINESS-Keep all utensils scrupulously clean.
A SUCCULENT EACH DAY-This is very import if the horse is not at grass.
Apples, carrots and swedes add variety and provide some essential vitamins.
WATER BEFORE FEEDING-A horse can wash undigested food out of its stomach if he drinks after feeding.
Also when feeding horses there are other considerations these include- THE WEIGHT OF THE HORSE THE BREED TEMPERAMENT AMOUNT AND TYPE OF WORK TYPE OF RIDER WETHER FULLY STABLED OR AT GRASS TIME OF YEAR TYPE OF PASTURE AGE OF HORSE APPROXIMATE DAILY AMOUNTS OF DIET FOR DIFFERENT HEIGHTS 17 hands-34lbs 16 hands-30lbs 15 hands-26lbs For the horses and ponies who are half a hand or 2 inches 14 hands-22lbs higher, an extra 2lbs is added example 13.
2 hands-20lbs, 13 hands-18lbs 12 hands-14lbs ALSO THE PERCENTAGES OF BULK AND CONCENTRATES CHANGE DEPENDING ON WORK.
A horse in light work should get 30% concentrate 70% bulk.
A horse in medium work should get 50% concentrate 50% bulk And a horse in hard work should get 70% concentrate 30% bulk.
Most feed merchants have balanced diets for all type of horses and all types of work.
So the horse owners job isn't as hard as it used to be.
Most feed merchants have dieticians so you can ask them or your vet what to feed your horse.
Most compound feeds have guild lines on the back of the bag and phone numbers you can ring for help.
Always insure your horse has access to clean fresh water.
A horse can drink between 10-15 gallons a day.
One last thing please remember all percentages and feed quantities are guide lines.
EAch horse is an individual and will have to be closely monitored.
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