Healthy Horse Feeding

Most adult horses need three to four flakes of hay a day when they are stabled and moderately used and exercised. A flake of hay is a section of a square bale that weighs about four pounds. This hay should be provided in three or four smaller meals per day so the horse has something to munch on throughout the day, more like natural grazing. Fresh water should be supplied at every feeding throughout the day and the water needs to be freely available at all times. The best hay for horses is first or second cut hay that is a mixture of alfalfa and timothy and is sold as horse quality. Avoid third and fourth cut hay if at all possible as it has a much lower nutritional value. Hay that has a moldy smell or appearance or that is dusty should not be fed to horses under any conditions. Improperly cured hay or moldy, dirty hay can lead to fatal conditions in horses.

Cubed and pelleted hay is available through feed stores, however it is not recommended for horses. It tends to cause colic and digestive problems as horses gulp it down then drink, causing swelling in the stomach. Likewise, grains can also cause the same problem, so talk to your vet or horse nutritionalist before starting any specialized feeding that includes more than the recommended daily ration of oats, sweetfeed or other grain supplement.

In addition to hay, some grain and lots of fresh water your horse should have turn out time on grass when available and should also have access to a mineral salt block. In some areas the vet may recommend additional mineral or vitamin supplements to make up for deficiencies in grass and hay content. Always check with your vet first, too much of a particular mineral can cause toxicity problems and various health reactions in horses.