The Basics of Equine Nutrition

I want to wrap up my series on the Basics of Equine Nutrition, with feeding grain rules. Despite their size, horses are pretty delicate, especially when it comes to their digestive system. Therefore, it is important to follow feeding guidelines, as failure to do so can result in a horse colicing from digestive upset, to founder, or even cause death.

Feeding Grain Rules:

1. When changing diets, do so slowly. Introduce a new grain in a small amount and gradually transition over 7-14 days, increasing the new grain while decreasing the old grain. Sudden changes in feed can cause digestive upset

2. Feed small amounts of grain often. Two or 3 meals a day is ideal. This is due to horses having small stomachs and they should never be fed more than 5-6 pounds of grain per feeding

3. Feed on a regular schedule, with 30-60 minutes of leeway. A flexible schedule allows for horses to not stress if they are not fed at the exact time every day, due to horses traveling, a late employee, or inclement weather, or any other reason

4. Exercise can affect digestion, so it is best to wait 45-60 minutes before riding after feeding

5. Food should be weighed as nutritional recommendations are given in pounds. One pound of corn will not be the same scoop as one pound of oats or pellets. Food scales or fishing scales work well

6. Provide clean, fresh, and cool water at all times. Horses should not be expected to drink from dirty buckets. Hot water or water too cold will limit intake, which can cause dehydration, colic, and death

7. Provide a salt block

8. Feed no more than 1% of a horse’s body weight in grain daily. Grain should be of good quality, free of dust or mold, and should be an equine specific grain. An all stock feed is not ideal for horses and feed should not be processed in plants where cattle feed is manufactured, due to risk of cross-contamination. Monesin poisoning has occured when cross-contamination happened and it is 100% fatal

9. Feed only good quality grain, which is free from dust or mold

10. Give feed tubs a quick glance before dumping feed into it, especially in the morning. Bugs or rodents may be helping themselves to leftovers. Some horses have been known to have very good aim and will poop in their feed bucket or shavings may have been kicked into the tub

11. Leftover feed may indicate a problem. Does the horse need his teeth checked? Is the feed fresh or spoiled? Horses with ulcers or under stress may leave feed. Therefore, it is important to know each horse and its eating habits

12. Feed buckets, as well as water buckets, should be cleaned regularly

13. Feed according to workload and condition

14. Is the horse consuming enough water? As you check the feed tubs, check the water levels. Know each horse’s drinking habits. Not enough water consumed is cause for concern, especially after a workout, in cold weather, or on a hot day. If you use automatic waterers, install the kind with meters to monitor each horse’s intake

15. Are manure balls normal? Get to know each horse’s potty habits. Constant soft piles may indicate that the horse is getting too rich a diet, while dry fecal balls can indicate insufficient water consumption.

There is so much to learn about nutrition, and feeding grain is just one aspect: roughage, essential nutrients, and supplements are also key components of equine nutrition. I dive into all of these factors in my book Common Sense Horse Keeping. You can find the book here: Common Sense Horse Keeping

In Other News:

March 1st, Equus Foundation kicks off the National Horse Protection Week. Details can be found at their website: https://equusfoundation.org/

The Pegasus App is collaborating with international show jumper Gabriela Reutter, equestrian apparel company Kerrits and Common Sense Horse Keeping in announcing the release of their long awaited APP! Be sure to follow along with all of these accounts on Instagram to get the full details and to win some awesome prizes! If you are not familiar with this horse show management software company, check them out at Pegasus and be sure to check them out on Instagram for great content: Pegasus: Horse Show Tech (@thepegasusapp) • Instagram photos and videos

There have been several barn fires in the last few weeks, unfortunately with fatalities. Please be sure to read my fire prevention blog series Fire Prevention In Barns and take steps to keep your barn from becoming a statistic.

Our thoughts go out to those affected by the devastating flooding in the east, not to mention the extreme cold throughout the country.

Don’t forget to hug your horse!

Lori