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Nutrition plays a critical role in your horses’ overall health and well-being. As herbivores, horses have evolved to graze continuously throughout the day; it’s important to try and mimic this when designing a feed and supplement program. Because pasture is generally not readily available year-round, most horses in the U.S. eat a combination of hay and grain. Grain is meant to supplement the hay and serve as a good source of vitamins, minerals, and extra calories for horses that have higher metabolic needs. Another important component of your horse’s diet is water. Did you know your horse needs to drink about 10 gallons of water per day? Access to fresh, clean water is critical! How to Feed Horse HayOn average, horses need to consume about 2% of their body weight in hay each day. For a 1,000 lb horse, this would equal 20 pounds of hay per day. There are two categories of hay commonly found in the US; legumes and grasses. Alfalfa hay falls under the legume category. Typical grass hays include timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, and orchard grass. Grass hay is lower in protein and higher in fiber than alfalfa. Hay can be harvested several times throughout a typical growing season. It’s common to hear people refer to “first cutting,” “second cutting,” and, in a good year, “third cutting.” The time of year, growing conditions, and harvesting conditions all affect the quality of the hay. Once cut, hay is typically baled into square bales or round bales. Square bales are divided into flakes. Round bales are generally fed free choice, which means the horse can decide how much and how often to eat. Square bales are common for horses kept in stalls, as they are easy to divide up during feeding time.
Checking the quality of your hay is essential. If not dried or stored properly, hay can become moldy. Moldy hay is extremely dangerous to horses—never feed moldy hay to your horse! It can cause colic, which basically means abdominal discomfort or pain. Unlike people, horses can’t throw up—so if they eat something they shouldn’t, it can cause major problems. Always check hay visually for mold. If the hay has a musty odor or smells like mildew, don’t feed it. Note: If you’re feeding round bales, be sure to use a durable slow feed net. They cut down on waste (a LOT!) and keep horses from eating too quickly. How to Feed Horse GrainGrain can be fed as a supplement to your hay. Horses in light work receiving high-quality hay may not need any grain. “Hard keepers” (horses that have a high metabolism) may need additional grain to maintain a healthy body weight. Typically, grain comes in two forms: pelleted feed or texturized (sweet) feed. Sweet feed is generally a mix of pellets, oats, and corn, coated in molasses. Nutritionally, these two forms can be similar if not identical; it’s more a matter of personal preference. There are a lot of different choices when it comes to selecting grain for your horse. The two most important factors that I consider when evaluating products are price point and life stage. Price Point: Feed companies typically price feeds at three levels.
Life Stage: Horses require different nutrition depending on their age and workload.
Horse Feeding Strategy ConsiderationsWhen it comes to your feeding strategy, feed by weight, not by volume. This applies to both hay and grain! Grain: Most feed companies compile their feeding requirements based on weight.
Hay: If you feed bales of hay, they are generally divided into flakes. All flakes are not created equal—the thickness can vary.
Timing: Space out feeding times and be consistent. Small, frequent meals mimic what the horse would experience in nature. Many people feed twice per day for convenience. While this is adequate, it would be even better to feed three times per day at 8 hour intervals. If you are going to feed twice per day, try and space it out as much as possible—for example, feed at 7 am and 7 pm.
Make changes gradually. The horse has a delicate digestive system and the flora in the gut need time to adapt to new feed.
What NOT to Feed Horses
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan horses eat celery?Yes! If you’re tired of feeding horse cookies and carrots, celery can make for a refreshing treat. Prepare the celery first by giving it a good wash and cutting it into smaller pieces (in case your horse doesn’t chew the celery first). While celery has lots of health benefits, like high water content and vitamin and mineral content, don’t feed your horse celery in large quantities. Celery (including the leaves, in moderation) is a perfect treat for horses who can’t eat sugar. There’s a chance feeding celery could cause digestive upset, so introduce this treat slowly and feed it in small amounts. Can horses eat peanut butter?Yes, in small quantities and not very often. No more than two spoonfuls once a week will help avoid any negative side effects. Peanut butter does have some health benefits, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s preferable to feed a natural peanut butter with minimal ingredients (peanuts and oil, sometimes salt) than a highly processed peanut butter that includes added sugar (sorry, Jif). Like humans, some horses are allergic to nuts, so be cautious when feeding peanut butter to your horse. If you make homemade horse cookies, peanut butter can be a flavorful addition. Happy trails… and happy feeding! P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to: P.P.S. Not sure what treats to buy? My horse looovvveees these low-sugar snax from Nutri-Good. They’re perfect for carrot stretches after our rides, too! Love it? Share it!
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