Horse Feed

Owning a horse is a time-consuming yet rewarding experience. Horses are sensitive and intelligent creatures that require a lot of attention and maintenance from regular vet visits to routine grooming.…

Halter competitions are essentially the beauty pageants of the horse world. Horses are shown in only a halter and judged on their conformation. Weight, muscle tone and overall proportions are key…

Bulk grain bins allow farmers to store mass quantities of feed for their livestock. Bulk grain bins can hold more than a ton of feed, which allows farmers to stock up on supplies for their animals and…

Horses are gregarious, and need the emotional security of a herd. They also are flight animals, and their first response to an unknown or frightening situation is to run away. If a horse is deprived…

Many of the organs in a cat's body utilize perfusion, or the flow of liquids, to transport nutrients throughout the cat's body and remove waste. However, when a cat suffers from certain illnesses, it…

Grain can be fed to horses either in processed or whole form. Whole grain contains more fiber, has no additives and is a good source of energy. It can, however, provide too much of a short-term energy…

Potatoes contain 70 percent starch, which animals can digest easily and quickly. Although, potatoes are more expensive than grain or hay, if you have a large crop of potatoes you can feed some of them…

Decide on a conditioning process to get your horse into better physical condition. To fatten a horse up quickly, you will need to combine proper levels of exercise, follow a predetermined feeding…

The yearling year is a critical growth year for young horses. Selecting the feed to give during that year is even more critical: Too much feed or the wrong type can lead to problems such as…

A veteran horse often requires a little extra care with his diet. As a horse ages, his teeth become longer and looser, and he often experiences difficulty in grazing. The digestive system of an…

Horses are grazing animals. They are happiest and healthiest eating small meals throughout the day, and grass and hay should form the basis of their diet. This is true whether they are kept at pasture…

The thoroughbred breed of horse is the unfortunate target of many stereotypes, particularly if it is coming off the racetrack. One of those stereotypes is that thoroughbreds are "hard keepers" -- have…

Clean, safe water must be provided to horses on a daily basis. The average horse requires 10 gallons of water a day to remain healthy, and this amount can double or triple on hot, humid days. A…

Horses are notoriously stubborn drinkers, but their reluctance to drink is not a cause for concern unless they are suffering from dehydration. There are many ways to check for dehydration. Signs of…

If you have a horse that is a “hard keeper,” meaning hard to gain or maintain weight, it may seem like you need to resort to a few tricks. In reality, it may simply take some trial and…

Fattening a lean or starved horse takes time. If you feed a starved horse too much or immediately give it foods rich in calories and protein, the horse could die. If the horse is severely malnourished…

A horse's nutritional needs change as a result of age, activity level, metabolism, environment, stress and health. If a horse has dental issues, ulcers, intestinal obstructions, parasites or chronic…

You can tell when your own hair is dull and lifeless, lacking a healthy and glossy shine. A horse's coat is not that much different, and it is one of the best indicators of overall horse health. While…

Horse owners may opt to add yeast to their horses diets in order to improve their digestion. Yeast is supposed to aid in breaking down food in the digestive tract and provides beneficial bacteria to…

Many conscious horse owners look for ways to mimic a horse's natural environment as much as possible, including modifying its feeding regiment for optimum physical and mental health. Practically…

Laminitis is a condition that occurs in horses and ponies when the internal laminae inside the hoof become severely inflamed and begin to separate. When a horse or pony is said to have foundered,…

Horses have very sensitive digestive systems, so caution must be used when trying to fatten an underweight animal. Founder and colic are just two of the ailments that can strike a horse that is given…

Ponies are prone to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), which is a lot like diabetes in humans. Ponies with EMS have a hard time metabolizing sugars and carbohydrates, making them become obese and more…

Soybean meal is rich in protein, calcium and phosphorus and should be coupled with corn when fed to livestock. Corn is high in digestible energy and vitamin A. Feeding the correct ration of corn and…

It is important to keep your horse at a healthy weight. Horses that are too heavy or too thin are at greater risk for experiencing health problems and injuries. The most important thing to remember…

If you have ever boarded your horse, you may have had to leave a boarding facility for one reason or another. It is very common within the industry for boarders to remove their horses for anything…

Flies have been an annoyance around horses and other livestock for centuries. Most horse owners have tried a variety of different fly control methods, including chemical fly sprays, fly traps as well…

Founder, or chronic laminitis, is a complex, very serious and debilitating disease of horses. The laminae, which carry blood to all parts of the horse's foot and connect the coffin bone to the hoof…

Hay is fed to horses either while they are in their stables, or when the quality of grass in the fields is poor --- for instance during the winter. Alfalfa is a nutritious, high protein variety of hay…

The clearest indication that a horse has lost considerable weight is when the ribs are visible and can easily be felt. The spinal column has ceased to be covered by muscle and fat, and projects above…

Rice bran is a byproduct of the milling process that converts brown rice to white rice. It's a supplement for feeding horses as it's 20 percent fat, 1 percent fiber and 8 percent protein. Rice bran…

Adding corn oil to a horse's daily feed rations not only helps the animal to gain weight, but also improves the condition and shine of its mane, tail and coat. Any brand of corn oil will do when added…

Horses require water, minerals, fat, carbohydrates, protein and vitamins to maintain health. Vitamins often get overlooked, because minerals in roughage depend on the soil. Essential vitamins include…

A horse's ability to maintain a healthy body weight declines with age. Owners of older horses often have trouble keeping weight on their animals. Life expectancy for horses can vary widely -- with…

Feeding lawn grass seems like a simple concept, but allowing horses access to fresh grass too soon or too often can result in colic or laminitis. Colic is abdominal pain in horses, which may result in…

Administering bad-tasting medicine to a horse offers several challenges. Despite their large sizes, some horses are very adept at eating everything in their buckets except the small pill in the mix.…

Flax (also known as flaxseed or linseed) contains high concentrations of the beneficial fatty acids linolenic acid, omega-3 and omega-6. Because of its high omega-3 concentration, flax is excellent…

If a horse loses weight rapidly due to illness or other reasons, it may be important to get it back up to weight in a hurry. An underweight horse is not likely to be very healthy, so knowing how to…

Older horses often require more care than they did in their younger days. Many older horses lose weight as they age, and in most cases the weight loss is related to a treatable condition or dietary…

As veterinary treatment and ultra-sound detection develops further, the chances improve for premature foals. Nevertheless, a premature foal is a very vulnerable young animal. The normal gestation…

Feeding horses grass clippings is a very emotive subject, and much that has been written is negative. However, there are many who have fed grass clippings to their horses for years with no detrimental…

Depending on age, production levels and types of activity, horses require varying amounts of protein, fiber, energy, minerals and vitamins found in hay, pasture, and grains to remain at a healthy…

Changing a horse's diet too quickly can cause health issues. Changing a horse's diet should always be done gradually, over a period of at least a week, to give the animal's system time to adjust.…

Alfalfa and mineral pellets, used as food or dietary supplements for horses, are marketed as cost effective, healthy and easy to digest. Since the availability of grass and other plants wanes in the…

By the time your female foal is 8 months old she will have been weaned from her mother, and will rely on pasture and hard feed for all her nutrients. Over-feeding and under-feeding at this age have…

Transporting a horse long distance can be stressful for the horse and the owner. Any trip taken in a trailer, airplane or boat that lasts longer than five hours is considered long distance. In cool…

Having a horse requires monitoring health changes. Your horse can become overweight and require dietary changes. Dietary changes can follow a visit from a veterinarian, and may include modifying the…

As horses get older, it often becomes challenging to keep them at a healthy weight. There are several ways to help your older horse gain weight, including changing a feed source and maintaining your…

Vitamin E is crucial for a healthy horse, providing important antioxidants and leading to better health. If the horse is not receiving enough vitamin E through diet, a supplement may be used to…

Many of us as horse owners wish that our horses could last forever. With proper feeding, dental care, and health care, we may not be able to keep them alive forever, but we can surely keep them…

Although it can be challenging to build yourself, a three-sided horse feed shed can be a useful addition to almost any horse facility. The structure provides protection from the elements, as well as a…

Horse Quest states "water is the most important nutrient required of all mammals." It is important to ensure that your pregnant mare stays healthy and hydrated throughout her pregnancy.

During warmer months of the year, flies appear in abundant numbers, but some also survive during the winter. Nuisance flies, such as the common house fly, and biting flies, such as the stable fly,…

You can pick a horse feed based on the type of horse you have, its age and the kind of work it's going to do. Horse feeds help when you can't put a horse out to pasture, which is its natural…

As a horse ages, it becomes more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. It is important to change your feeding habits to help your old horse gain weight. A horse's digestive system requires hay,…

Pasture is made up of grasses and legumes, explains Craig Wood of the University of Kentucky. The types of grasses to plant for horses grow best either in cool seasons or warm seasons. Your pasture…

When your horse has hardened manure, loss of appetite or anxiety, it could be suffering from constipation. The cause of constipation varies, and can include the horse not eating, circling around its…

Alfalfa cubes provide an alternative to long-stem hay and are similar in nutrition content. If your horse suffers from respiratory problems, alfalfa cubes eliminate the dust problems that hay…

The damage cause by moldy horse feed can run the gamut from lethargy and weight loss to colic and death. With their small stomachs, horses lack the ability to vomit, making them highly susceptible to…

No matter what type of horse you own or what your preferred style of riding, you need to care for your equine companion properly. Good nutrition is an essential part of that care, and choosing the…

Bales of hay take up a lot of space, and 10 to 25 percent of hay fed loose gets wasted underneath your horse’s feet. Alternatives to hay are chaff, cubes and pellets. Because horses are foragers…

There are several situations in which a property owner might need to start horse eviction proceedings. If the horse causes damage to the property, for example, or if the horse's owner does not pay for…

Feeding horses can be much more difficult than it sounds. Because the horse's digestive tract is so sensitive and it cannot regurgitate, the feed that a horse consumes must be of good quality and in…

In high-performance horses, blood-building products are big business. Because the hemoglobin in blood is essential for oxygen exchange, which in turn fuels the muscles, the health of the blood in the…

Rice brain oil is extracted from rice during its processing, when the outer hull and then multiple layers are removed. Both rice bran and rice bran oil are commonly used as supplements for horses.…

Significant weight loss in a senior horse usually indicates a serious health problem,. An older horse faces the same situations as senior humans. Older horses lose muscle tone as they age. The horse…

Wide open spaces and a blanket of grass is what horses prefer to have around them. Though often associated with stables for living space and oats for food, horses prefer a very specific type of…

With advances in veterinary medicine and natural horse care, it is not uncommon for horses to live well into their 30s. Caring for a 30-year-old horse offers a new set of challenges, particularly…

Horses do some of the most physically strenuous work in the world. Occupations such as jumping, racing, endurance and other sports take a heavy toll on the animal's health, and constant care is…

Many horse owners find that feeding flax seed to their animals improves their coats and their overall health. Flax seed can be mixed with a number of different minerals and supplements, including…

Once upon a time a handshake and verbal agreement were all that was needed between buyer and seller. Nowadays written agreements are the standard in many sales. Horse sales are no exception. Leasing a…

If forage, either pasture or hay, is the primary feed for your horses or cows, it's necessary to balance the minerals and protein for optimum performance or production. Different varieties of grass…

Feeding an underweight horse can be tricky and a feed regimen needs to be tailored to meet the individual needs of each horse. Weight gain methods will vary based on variables such as age, condition…

Transporting horses over long distances is common among equestrian enthusiasts. Risks involved in long-distance shipping include dehydration, colic and injury. Whether shipping to a competition or to…

Horse owners have a lot invested in their animals, both financially and personally. Many horse owners and barn managers choose to supplement hay with dry horse feed. While usually safe, dry horse…

Giving the proper nutrition to your horse is especially important for growing foals, brood mares, seniors, horses in training and those who are sick. Mixing horse feed can be a messy process, due…

Acidosis is a common ailment in horses. High grain feed combined with high levels of exercise can lead to an increased lactic acid and a lowered pH in the horse's hindgut. Most horses can naturally…

Leasing a horse requires careful consideration from both the owner (lessor) and the person leasing (lessee). Several topics need to be discussed and agreed upon before a contract can be written.…

"The energy requirements of the horse are comparable in some ways to those of the gasoline engine. The greater the output required, the greater the fuel consumption," says Dr. N Bruce Haynes in his…

Horses require a variety of feed to maintain good health. The feed needs to meet the animal's nutritional requirements for fats, minerals, vitamins, protein and carbohydrates. These nutrients are…

Horses are constantly growing and replacing their coats. Most horses and ponies grow two coats a year: a heavier one for winter and a lighter one for summer. These coats have a natural sheen and…

If you're an experienced rider ready to buy a horse but short on cash, there is a way to practice owning a horse before laying out the money to buy one. You can feed lease the horse. Terms of a feed…

There are many options for horse owners in providing proper nutrition for their horses. While the majority of a horse's nutrition comes from forages such as grasses and hays, mixed feeds and grains…

No matter what breed of horse you own or what type of riding you do, it is important to provide your equine companion with the best nutrition possible. Horses were designed by nature to be grazers,…

Founder, or laminitis, is an extremely painful inflammation of the horse's foot. This condition is best prevented by proper management and feeding and best treated by a veterinarian. If a horse…

Horses need a certain amount of protein in their diet, which can often be met with good-quality grass hay. Young horses, show horses or horses in an area where the grass hay is of a poor quality often…

Horse shows include a variety of classes or events to compete in. Most events display the horse under saddle (riding). However, halter classes showcase the horse in hand (leading) and are judged on…

A foal is a baby horse. Horses are mammals and require the care of their mother when they are newborns. Occasionally, foals may be orphaned due to either the death of its mother or rejection by its…

The purpose of equine liability warning signs is mainly to protect the establishment where they are posted. Training facilities for all types of riding post signs to limit their liability in the case…

Draft horses have long been used by farmers to work the fields and do other duties in rural areas. Even today, draft horses are used in farming, but they are also used for a wide variety of other…

Feeding a mini horse is similar to that of a full size horse, just in smaller quantities. Although they are their own special breed, not just a small horse or pony, there are similarities. There will…

Barrel racing horses are like any athlete--they need to be in peak physical condition to compete. Getting to that pinnacle takes proper training and nutrition. While all horses have the same basic…

Insulin hormone is produced in the horse's pancreas to regulate the metabolism of glucose in the body. Insulin-resistant horses need more insulin than normal to facilitate this because their body…

There are times when a horse breeder may find himself in a position to care for an orphaned colt. Whether orphaned because of her dam's death, rejection or failure to produce enough milk, the colt's…

Insulin resistance is a problem that has been around for a long time but has just recently been identified in horses. It is akin to Cushing's disease in that it causes many of the same problems in…

Livestock feed must be kept clean and dry to prevent spoilage and the growth of molds that could make the animals sick or even kill them. Feed storage bins have to keep out rats and mice and larger…

Trying to medicate an animal that might weigh half a ton or more can be no easy feat. There are a few ways to help the medicine go down, which will ensure that the horse gets the treatment it needs.

Rice bran is becoming a popular horse feed supplement. It is recognized for its high fat content, palatability and low cost. However, there are health issues to consider when feeding this supplement.

Feeding horses is probably one of the most complex, as well as one of the most satisfying, parts of owning them. Horses are vegetarians but they need protein and fat in their diets, as well as…

Horses are one of the most beautiful animals you can own or care for, but knowing how to care for them properly can be a bit of a challenge. As with any animal, a horse requires different nutrition at…

Proper nutrition is essential to good horse health. Unlike other herbivores, such as cattle, horses have only one stomach, and their digestive systems can be delicate, so a nutritious and balanced…

Rice bran is a supplement that can be fed to horses in order to encourage weight gain and a healthy coat. As a concentrated source of fat and calories, rice bran also provides additional energy for…

The diet of a horse with insulin resistance needs to be carefully monitored, just like a person with insulin resistance. Having insulin resistance seems to predispose horses to Equine Metabolic…

Founder is caused by the hoof disease laminitis, where the laminae inside of the hoof wall are inflamed and beginning to detach. Generally, a laminitic horse is not considered to be foundering until…

Rice bran is made from the brown layer between rice hulls and white rice. It is a high-fat, low-starch equine supplement usually given to horses to help with weight gain. Rice bran is easy to add to…

Feed a stabled horse grain twice a day and supply them with ample hay. Find out more about feeding a stabled horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.

Choosing the right food for your horse may not be as simple as you think. There are several factors to be taken into consideration. Individual horses may require variations in diet. For example, if a…

Many quarter horses can do with one scoop of feed in each of the morning and night and hay for grazing during the day. Feed a horse enough to maintain weight with tips from a ranch owner in this free…

Rice bran is a byproduct of milling rice. Often, parts of the endosperm and germ protein of the rice kernel are retained in the rice bran. It is a popular supplemental feed for underweight horses…

Cows are tough, hardy animals and don't require much shelter from the elements other than natural shelters, such as trees. For cows in harsh climates, a simple three-sided shed can be built for them.…

Horses are wonderful creatures that bring great satisfaction to their owners. Their care, however, can prove quite a challenge, as for all their size and strength, they are quite delicate animals.…

There are a number of different reasons a horse can become underweight, and not all of them are because of neglect. Stress can cause a horse to shed some pounds, as can a change in schedule, in feed,…

Horses lose weight for a number of reasons and, to correct the condition, you must address the specific problem. Among the most common causes of low weight in horses, are ill-fitting teeth and chewing…

Feeding a picky horse is not always easy but can be done. When managing your horse's dietary needs, many things should be taken into consideration, such as age and the type of work your horse…

Dehydration is a particularly dangerous condition for a horse. It usually occurs during the summer when horses are ridden too hard without an adequate water supply. Some horses sweat more than others,…

In this clip learn more about hay and get an overview of feeding horses.

In this clip learn more about oats and get an overview of instructions for feeding them to your horses.

In this clip learn about the different types of hay.

In this clip learn why oats are like candy for horses.

In this clip learn about adding glucosomine and chrondrontin to your horse's feed.

In this clip learn about adding pellets and empower to horse feed.

In this clip learn about feeding your horse corn and molasses.

Having your own horse can be a dream come true if you love horses. If you are lucky enough to have your horse on your own property then you can spend time with it each day. Grooming, riding, and just…

Horse care in the winter is relatively easy. Horses withstand winter temperatures better than the hot summers. With just a few simple chores, you can care for your horse in the winter. Basic winter…

As with any animal, a shiny coat is indicative of good health and care. It is expected in the show ring, but many people try to accomplish it with expensive sprays. The process of making a shiny coat…

A malnourished horse is one that has not been provided adequate food and water for an extended period of time. When horses are deprived of essential nutrients, they suffer both physically and…

Founder is a devastating and far too common disease in horses. It is sad because most, if not all, cases of founder could have been avoided. This article will give you some important steps to prevent…

Choosing the right grains for your horse is important to his overall health and longevity. This article will help you identify and pick the right type of grains.

Feeding your senior horse properly can make all the difference in his overall health and longevity. This article will help you make the most of the later years in your horse's life.

Feeding the endurance horse is critical to its success, health and longevity in the sport. It can make all the difference. Read on to learn how to feed an endurance horse.

If you have a horse that is severely malnourished, it is vitally important to feed it properly. This article will help you in the rehabilitation of a starved horse.

Indoor cats need a source of greens, and they love green oats. Oats are easy to grow in indoor containers, they do not require too much sunshine, and they sprout quickly. Cats will eat them readily,…

If a malnourished horse has come under your care, it is important you know that feeding him is delicate. The horse's stomach is a fragile organ, prone to distension and colic and other problems, so…

Electrolytes, which are necessary for proper hydration in animals, are available as supplements for horses when the weather starts to heat up in the summer. Although horses use electrolytes all year…

There are more types of horse feed than most people realize and each type has different qualities that make it either appropriate or inappropriate for specific horses. You can't rely on what your…

Selecting a feed for your horse used to be easy--there were just a few options: oats, corn or sweet feed. Today, though, feed stores over a plethora of options. Picking the right one for your horse…

Storing your horse feed may sound simple, but if you don't take certain precautions, you could wind up feeding more vermin than horses, not to mention the risk of infecting your horses with dangerous…

Organization and cleanliness is important when it comes to storing horse feed. Horse feed should be kept in a separate and secure room away from tack supplies and a convenient distance from your horse…

Horses against a snowy winter backdrop are a magnificent sight, but keeping those animals fed, healthy and active in winter requires some special knowledge which every horse owner should know. Horses…

Horse muffins are one of the most popular horse treats that you can make. Horses love them - but they can get demanding! If your horses start pawing the ground or otherwise getting impatient for…

Feeding horses can quickly become a science when trying to figure out the correct ratios and percentages. Feeding a growing foal is even more important to get right because what he eats now can affect…

Foals, despite their size, are delicate creatures and ones who have been orphaned at or just after birth will need a great deal of care. Feeding them properly is a big step in keeping the foal alive…

If your horse seems to not lose his winter coat fast enough or if he has a bit of a belly, but isn't fat, he may have worms. Horses are very susceptible to internal parasites (worms) and should be…

Horses over the age of 16 tend to suffer from weight loss, dental problems, pituitary/thyroid dysfunction, kidney or liver failure and arthritis. But with special care, elderly equines can live long,…

Know how to properly feed your horse and she'll maintain her lustrous coat and confident canter. When caring for your animal - be it an Arabian or a Tennessee walker - nothing is more important than…