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The Basics Of A Balanced Diet

Making sure that your horse has a complete and balanced diet doesn’t have to be difficult. With the use of simple forages and concentrates your horse can stay happy and healthy all year long. Often owners, trainers, and riders get confused with all the types of feed that are available as well as the variety of information given to them. Here I will explain a few simple feeding guidelines to help you correctly feed your horse.

The Basics

Knowing what and how much to feed are common problems when feeding horses. There are three main factors that come into play when feeding your horse: weight, age, and work load. First, it is important to know how much you horse weighs. You don’t have to be exact; a weight tape will give you a good estimate. Once you know your horse’s weight you can then begin to plan a diet. Generally horses need to consume about 2 to 2.5 percent of their body weight in hay per day. For a 1,000 lbs horse that equals about 20 to 25 lbs. Other horses that are not in light work or are easy keepers may only need to consume 1.5 percent while horses that are in intense training may need to eat as much as 3 percent of their body weight in hay and grain per day. Finding out your horse’s body condition score can tell you if he is over or under weight.

balanced diet
This chart shows common places where horses store fat. By comparing your horse to this chart you can start deciding if he is the correct weight.

How do you know if your horse is in light, moderate, heavy, or intense work? Most horses fall into the light workload category, especially if you ride only once or twice a week. A light work load is considered one to three hours per week. A moderate work load is three to five hours per week. A heavy work load is four to six hours per week. Finally, an intense work load is six to twelve hours of riding or training per week. With this being said, many owners tend to over feed their horses. Some riders and owners like to give their horses grain as a treat, or think that their horse is in a higher work load than they really are. When horses are fed too much and exercised too little behavioral problems can occur. Horses are grazing animals by nature and like to move around while they eat; this burns calories while also keeping the mind busy and digestive system healthy. Horses are designed to process hay, and when grazing is made impossible by confining your horse to a stall the risk of colic is increased. All horses should be turned out for at least half of the day if possible or at the very least a few hours.

Age

The age of the horse plays a significant role in what and how much you feed him. There is a big difference in the needs of a young and growing horse, a mare in foal, or a senior horse. When a mare is in foal she will need more energy, protein, and minerals than at any other stage of her life. This is especially true during late pregnancy and lactation. Also, buying a feed specifically designed for foals will help them grow properly. Senior horses may need their diet changed if they develop issues with eating or digestion. There are specialty feeds made to replace hay as a horse gets older, making it easier to chew and digest.

Hay and Concentrated Feeds

Good quality, clean, fresh hay or grass is the best thing you can feed your horse. Grains and supplements do play a role in adding extra energy, vitamins, and minerals when needed, but a quality basic diet consisting of hay and other forages is best for most horses. Learn the different types of hay as some of them vary quite a bit in nutritional value. For example alfalfa hay is much higher in protein and energy levels than most other types of hay. While bermuda grass has less nutritional content. Even during the winter months, extra hay is the best thing to give your horse. The digestion of the hay keeps the horse warm. Extra grain only gives the horse more energy and he will be full of himself when you go to ride him again.

Water

Water is the most important nutrient you can give your horse. Horses should have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Horses drink about 5 to 10 gallons of water per day and more during the summer and with increased exercise. Horses are less likely to drink during the winter months as the water temperature is very cold.  Make sure he is getting enough by checking his water buckets daily. If you horse lives outside it is a good idea to get a water heater to keep ice from forming.