Food for thought…….
It is important to understand your horses needs with regards to feeding in order to keep them in peak condition throughout the year and competition season. There are a few rules when feeding horses.Each horse is different and so will require specific needs. Keeping these rules of feeding will keep your horses happy, and maintain their health and avoid problems associated with malnutrition.
Fresh water
A horse drinks about 18 litres a day. This can increase to double when working hard in a hot climate. Always ensure that there is fresh, clean water available for your horse 24hrs a day.
Feeding by weight and not volume
When measuring out your horses rations, make sure you weigh each feed as they will have different weights. 1 scoop of cubes will not weigh the same as 1 scoop of chaff.
Feed concentrates little and often
Break your horses feed up to 2 or 3 smaller meals. Don’t feed more than 2kg of concentrate per meal. Large meals at irregular intervals put strain on your horse’s digestive system. Chaff can be added to meals to encourage the horse to chew and improve digestion.
Always use a high quality feed
Never be tempted to feed old concentrate or mouldy hay. This could result in poor condition and colic.
Feed according to training schedule, temperament and body weight
Every horse is different and has different needs and feeding should be done according to the energy needed and how the horse responds to the feed.
Make dietary changes gradually
When changing concentrates or fodder and even grass, do it gradually. Sudden changes can upset the digestive system.
Don’t work your horse directly after feeding
Allow at least 2 hours after eating before you exercise your horse, this encourages effective digestion of feed. Make sure your horse has fully recovered from exercise before feeding him.
Feed your horse every day at the same time.
Being creatures of habit, horses thrive on routine. Feed according to the work your horse has done. Along with increasing your horse’s exercise gradually, feed the correct amount of concentrate and energy content your horse requires. Be sure to provide extra roughage and concentrate in winter as the quality of grazing drops when the temperature drops to 5 degrees Celsius.
Feed plenty of fibre
Horses do well on high fibre diets. Fibre encourages good gut function and reduces digestive upsets. At least 50% of your horse’s diet should consist of fibre.