Feed Your Horse: How do you know if your horse’s diet is the right one? While some are designed to be given year-round, there are also nutritional supplements that should only be given during certain seasons or specific times of the year, depending on what your horse needs at any given time. However, it can be difficult to make sure you’re giving your horse the proper diet at all times, so here’s everything you need to know about feeding your horse in order to keep him healthy and strong.
When do I feed my horse?
The best way to determine what your horse should be eating is by visiting a veterinarian. Depending on your horse’s age, weight, and level of fitness, he or she may need different types of feed at different times throughout the day. Since horses can get sick from eating too much grain or hay during certain parts of their lives, it’s important for them (and you) that you only feed them when they need it. This can help you avoid potential complications down the road.
What do I give him to eat?
Providing your horse with a balanced diet is an important component of his health. Think of feeding him like providing your child with a balanced meal plan: you want to provide your horse with all of his nutritional needs and then some. Horses are natural grazers and will eat for hours on end if given an open bucket or pasture, but that isn’t necessarily what they need nutritionally. To properly feed your horse and ensure he has everything he needs, use these tips as a guide.
Why is his health important?
If you have a horse, then you know that his health is of vital importance. After all, it’s your livelihood that’s on the line if your horse doesn’t stay healthy. Here are some basic ways in which you can ensure that your horse remains as healthy as possible! What Kind of Feed Should I Give My Horse?: The first question that most people ask when they think about feeding their horses is What should I feed him?. Since there are so many options out there and different brands will market one thing over another, it can be hard to figure out what exactly makes a good horse food!
What kind of supplements do I need?
Horse supplements are a major part of horse nutrition, which is why you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re looking for when it comes time to buy. If your horse has special dietary needs (such as if he or she is lactating), that will affect what kind of supplements they need. For example, an iron supplement may be needed by a mare during foaling season; kelp and beet pulp help keep hooves strong and healthy, and some supplements (like Kelp Meal) boost immune system function. The most important thing is that your horse has all of its nutritional needs met so it can stay healthy and happy.
How much hay does he need?
How much hay does your horse need, anyway? It might surprise you to learn that many horse owners feed their animals far too much—or not enough. Of course, there’s no magic formula for calculating exactly how much your horse needs. If he’s healthy and well-trained, a good rule of thumb is 1-1/2 percent of his body weight per day in good-quality hay. So if your horse weighs 1,000 pounds, give him 16–20 pounds (1–1.5 bales) of hay per day at most; a more typical amount would be 8–10 pounds (or 0.6–0.8 bales).
How much grain should I give him?
Horses have unique nutritional needs depending on their breed, age, and physical condition. A good rule of thumb is that they need 1-2% of their body weight in feed each day. For example, a 500-pound horse will eat between 10 and 20 pounds of hay each day. Feed more if you’re trying to gain weight or less if you’re trying to lose weight (but avoid below 1% body weight). Check with your vet for a specific plan based on your horse’s health.
How often should I be feeding him?
Feed Your Horse: Horses, just like humans, should eat three meals a day. But keep in mind that your horse will eat whenever he feels hungry so you need to make sure that you’re always available for him. If you can’t be there with him at all times, it might be a good idea to find someone who can come and feed him for you if necessary. It is much easier for them to determine how much food your horse needs. A healthy adult horse requires about 2% of his body weight each day in hay and water. So for example, if he weighs 1,000 pounds then he would need about 20 pounds of hay and 20 ounces of water per day.
How much water should he have access to?
Horses need at least 10 quarts of water a day, but more is better. If your horse’s diet isn’t rich in moisture, he may need even more. Some horses with special needs or who are undergoing treatment for illness may require even more water. The best way to monitor your horse’s water intake is to weigh his bucket every morning. Any variations in weight can point you toward potential problems like dehydration or overeating/under-eating. Some buckets have handy charts on them that allow you to record your daily observations so you can see how closely your horse is sticking to his routine; if you notice any big changes, it could be a sign that something is amiss with his diet or schedule and it’s time for a closer look.
Why does he need exercise?
Exercise is important for a horse’s physical and mental health. In order to keep your horse healthy, it’s important to understand his diet and exercise needs, as well as how they interact with each other. If your horse doesn’t get regular exercise, he may become overweight or even obese. As with humans, being overweight isn’t just unhealthy physically—it can be psychologically damaging as well. When a horse isn’t properly exercised, he may develop anxiety issues that could cause him to be difficult in other ways as well. By understanding how these factors interact with each other, you can give your horse life full of energy and happiness!
Can I use an over-the-counter supplement instead of a prescription supplement?
Over-the-counter supplements (OTC) are not regulated by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Instead, they’re regulated by individual states, meaning you may find yourself checking a bunch of different laws. For example, California has different laws than Texas. It’s possible that OTC products could be unlawful in some states depending on how they’re labeled and advertised. Of course, you should always check with your horse’s veterinarian to determine whether OTC supplements are safe for your animal. If your vet gives you approval and suggests a supplement that is over-the-counter in your state, it can be a perfectly acceptable alternative as long as it is labeled correctly.
Wrap Up
When it comes to feeding horses, there are few topics that elicit more controversy than those surrounding grain. Many argue that it’s better for a horse not to eat grain at all, while others rely on it as a staple of their horse’s diet. So what’s right and what’s wrong? Here are some things you need to know about feeding your horse…
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