Feeding of Horses
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One of the most significant aspects of horse ownership is providing a properly balanced equine diet, but due to its complexity, it is frequently misunderstood or even overlooked. Horses have specific dietary requirements because they are herbivores with a digestive tract that is very different from ours. Their long digestive system necessitates a high-fiber diet consumed in small amounts over a long period. Horses eat many small meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals like we do. Horses usually spend the majority of their time eating. Here’s a quick rundown of what horses eat and what they shouldn’t eat.
Hay
Most of us are not fortunate to allow our horses to graze on pasture throughout the year. When grass isn’t an option, hay is the next best thing. It can not be easy to find good horse hay. It is beneficial to have hay tested to compensate for any vitamin and mineral deficiencies with supplements. Rich hay, like rich pasture grass, can be problematic for some horses. Easy keepers may need to be restricted from using a bale feeder 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Pasture Grass and Tender Plants
The horse’s natural diet consists of pasture grass and tender plants. A healthy horse requires the majority of the nutrition found in good pasture. It also has silica, which is beneficial to dental health. Primitive horses can survive on meager rations and are frequently forced to make do with poor pasture and living conditions. This is likely why obesity, equine metabolic syndrome, and laminitis are uncommon in wild horses but common in our modern horses. The problem isn’t necessarily the pasture grass; it’s the type of horses we’ve developed and the lack of exercise.
Concentrate Mixes
Concentrates are typically made up of grains, flaxseed, beet pulp, molasses for energy and flavor, bran, vitamins and minerals, and other ingredients. Commercial mixes can contain various components, and some feed mills will mix concentrates to your specifications. Concentrate mixes, like grain, help compensate for nutritional deficiencies and provide a quick energy source.
Treats
Oats are a common grain fed to horses. Horses may be fed small amounts of other grains, such as corn. Some grains, such as wheat, are not always beneficial to horses. In their natural environment, wild horses would eat grass seed heads, which are the closest thing to grains. Modern-day grains grown, harvested, and processed are not natural foods for horses. It is very easy to overfeed grain to horses.
Grains
Oats are a common grain fed to horses. Horses may be fed small amounts of other grains, such as corn. Some grains, such as wheat, are not always beneficial to horses. In their natural environment, wild horses would eat grass seed heads, which are the closest thing to grains. Modern-day grains grown, harvested, and processed are not natural foods for horses. It is very easy to overfeed grain to horses.
Final Thoughts
Grooming your horse is an important step in their care routine and can provide them with many benefits. Now, it’s up to you to develop a routine that both you and your horse can enjoy and bond over.
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