Remember the old nursery rhyme that begins, "Hay is for horses"? As a result, it is good advice for feeding horses company, as these tips from our experts on the ASPCA Pet Nutrition and Science Advisory Service.
1. Base Your Horse’s Diet on Grass and Hay
1. Base Your Horse’s Diet on Grass and Hay
The basal diet of grass horse hay and a horse's digestive system is made to process large quantities of grass, which is high in fiber and water. The basic diet for most horses should consist of grass hay and good quality that is free of dust and mold. As a general rule, horses company should be able to graze or eat hay when they want.
2. Feed several small meals a day
Because the stomach of horses have been developed for grazing, the horses run better with a meal plan based on "little and often. "ASPCA experts recommend that horses should eat several small meals at least two, preferably three or more, in the course of a day. When feeding hay, give half the allowance of hay at night, when the horses have more time to eat and digest.
3. No grain, No Gain
Most horses, even very active, do not need the extra calories found in grains. Too much grain can lead to muscles, bones and joints in young horses and adults. Unless otherwise stated by your veterinarian or other equine animals, it is best to feed the low energy diets high in grass and hay.
4. Be aware of individual needs
I think in terms of individuality of the horse, as a condition and activity level. Some horses have difficulty keeping on weight, and need more food per unit body weight. However, most horses should eat between 2 and 4 percent of their body weight per day in pounds of hay or other feed. Your veterinarian can help you decide how and what to feed your horse.
5. Water Works
Plenty of fresh, clean water, not frozen, should be available in most cases, although the only horse drinks once or twice daily. Contrary to instinct, horses that are hot from strenuous exercise should not have free access to water. Rather, it is necessary that only a few sips every three to five minutes until they are cool enough.
6. Provide additional salt block
Because most diets do not contain mineral levels high enough for optimal health and performance, horses should have free access to trace mineral blocks and salt. This will provide your horse with adequate levels of salt to stabilize the pH and electrolyte levels, and adequate levels of minerals. While plenty of fresh water available, no need to worry about excessive salt consumption.
7. Take it easy
Any change in diet should be gradual to avoid colic (abdominal pain usually associated with intestinal disease) and laminitis (painful inflammation of the hoof associated with the separation of the leg bone of the hoof wall), any which can be catastrophic. Horses are physically unable to vomit or belch. Overfeeding and rapid rates of consumption are potential problems. Consequently, a horse or pony to break into the barn, or if you get sick of green grass for the first time since the fall, may be headed for a health disaster.
8. Dental care and diet of your horse: Chew On This.
Horses need their teeth to grind grass and hay, so it is important to keep teeth healthy. At the age of five years, horses should begin annual dental examination by a veterinarian to see if their teeth need floating (filing). quality of teeth has to take into account when deciding whether or not to feed processed grains (grains that are no longer whole and cracked corn and oats). Horses with poor dental soundness, a particular problem in older horses, tend to benefit more from finished feeds that make young horses, who have mouths and teeth stronger.
9. Be careful
stabled horses need exercise. The horses eat better, digest food better and are less likely to colic if appropriate exercise. The horses must finish eating at least one hour before the hard work. Do not feed grain to horses tired or hot they cool and rested, preferably one or two hours after the activity. You can feed hay instead. To prevent hot horse cool too quickly, keep them out of projects or warm blankets.
10. Do not leave home without it
Since the sudden change in diet can have devastating results in the sensitive system of a horse, always put food on your horse with you when traveling. In addition, some horses refuse to drink water do not know, so you can bring along a supply of water to your horse regularly drinks.
2. Feed several small meals a day
Because the stomach of horses have been developed for grazing, the horses run better with a meal plan based on "little and often. "ASPCA experts recommend that horses should eat several small meals at least two, preferably three or more, in the course of a day. When feeding hay, give half the allowance of hay at night, when the horses have more time to eat and digest.
3. No grain, No Gain
Most horses, even very active, do not need the extra calories found in grains. Too much grain can lead to muscles, bones and joints in young horses and adults. Unless otherwise stated by your veterinarian or other equine animals, it is best to feed the low energy diets high in grass and hay.
4. Be aware of individual needs
I think in terms of individuality of the horse, as a condition and activity level. Some horses have difficulty keeping on weight, and need more food per unit body weight. However, most horses should eat between 2 and 4 percent of their body weight per day in pounds of hay or other feed. Your veterinarian can help you decide how and what to feed your horse.
5. Water Works
Plenty of fresh, clean water, not frozen, should be available in most cases, although the only horse drinks once or twice daily. Contrary to instinct, horses that are hot from strenuous exercise should not have free access to water. Rather, it is necessary that only a few sips every three to five minutes until they are cool enough.
6. Provide additional salt block
Because most diets do not contain mineral levels high enough for optimal health and performance, horses should have free access to trace mineral blocks and salt. This will provide your horse with adequate levels of salt to stabilize the pH and electrolyte levels, and adequate levels of minerals. While plenty of fresh water available, no need to worry about excessive salt consumption.
7. Take it easy
Any change in diet should be gradual to avoid colic (abdominal pain usually associated with intestinal disease) and laminitis (painful inflammation of the hoof associated with the separation of the leg bone of the hoof wall), any which can be catastrophic. Horses are physically unable to vomit or belch. Overfeeding and rapid rates of consumption are potential problems. Consequently, a horse or pony to break into the barn, or if you get sick of green grass for the first time since the fall, may be headed for a health disaster.
8. Dental care and diet of your horse: Chew On This.
Horses need their teeth to grind grass and hay, so it is important to keep teeth healthy. At the age of five years, horses should begin annual dental examination by a veterinarian to see if their teeth need floating (filing). quality of teeth has to take into account when deciding whether or not to feed processed grains (grains that are no longer whole and cracked corn and oats). Horses with poor dental soundness, a particular problem in older horses, tend to benefit more from finished feeds that make young horses, who have mouths and teeth stronger.
9. Be careful
stabled horses need exercise. The horses eat better, digest food better and are less likely to colic if appropriate exercise. The horses must finish eating at least one hour before the hard work. Do not feed grain to horses tired or hot they cool and rested, preferably one or two hours after the activity. You can feed hay instead. To prevent hot horse cool too quickly, keep them out of projects or warm blankets.
10. Do not leave home without it
Since the sudden change in diet can have devastating results in the sensitive system of a horse, always put food on your horse with you when traveling. In addition, some horses refuse to drink water do not know, so you can bring along a supply of water to your horse regularly drinks.
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