How to Feed Work Horses
Many horses today are considered working or performance animals. They must be in top physical shape to successfully work or compete. To be healthy and perform well, work horses need a good diet that fulfills all their nutritional needs. Horses that experience only light work find most of the nutrition they need in a good quality pasture. However, working horses need additional rations to supply them with enough energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to meet the demands of their physical activities.
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Instructions
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Provide constant access to quality grass and hay. Horses were designed to graze grass continuously, not to eat large portions of concentrated foods hours apart with no feed in between. They also need a lot of fiber, which grass and hay contain, to maintain their digestive systems. Good-quality pastures are the best sources of nutrition and should be the first choice for work horses. If turnout in a pasture is not available or the horse is stabled, provide the best quality hay available.
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Determine what to look for in a concentrated feed. In general, work horses need a mix of carbohydrates for energy, protein for cellular and muscle growth, and fiber for proper digestion. Also important are small amounts of fats for additional energy, salt to replace what is lost through exercise, and vitamins and minerals to maintain overall health. For working horses, the amount of energy required is the most important component of the diet.
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Choose a high-quality concentrated feed that is appropriate for the horse, the energy he uses and his size. A mix of different concentrated feeds may provide the best nutrition and energy for an individual horse. Oats provide lots of energy but must be fed with a calcium supplement. Barley provides protein and fat, and is a good addition to some working horses' diets, but it should not make up more than one-third of his rations. Beet pulp (soaked in water for at least six hours before feeding) helps maintain muscles. Pellets are made of several compressed feeds like oats, wheat and alfalfa. There are also several commercially-available feed formulas specifically designed for working horses and horses that perform in certain disciplines.
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Add supplements as needed. These include vitamins, minerals and salts. Choose commercially prepared vitamins and minerals, and add them according to the manufacturer's directions. Overfeeding these supplements can cause health problems for the horse. Provide a salt block or lick so the horse may replenish what is lost through sweating during exercise. Other commercial supplements can be fed as well, according to the horse's need. Products are available that help maintain a horse's feet, coat or muscle tone.
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Feed the selected rations according to a regular routine. Feed your work horses at the same time every day. Divide the rations into a few small meals, and feed twice or three times a day. Regular meals measured out in small portions help keep the digestive system working properly.
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Tips & Warnings
All horses are individuals, and each has its own specific dietary needs. Consult a veterinarian if you need help determining what your horse needs to function well and be healthy.
Fresh apples, carrots and other root vegetables make excellent treats for horses when fed in moderation, but avoid processed items like horse cookies, as they are high in sugars and low in nutritional value.
Always provide fresh, clean water for any horse, regardless of workload. Horses can drink 12 gallons a day. When water intake is reduced, so is the intake of other dry foods like roughage and concentrated feeds.
Regularly clean feed and water buckets.
Use caution whenever changing a horse's diet. Changes should be made gradually and in increments. Mix small amounts of the new rations with the old feed. Slowly increase the amount of new rations as you decrease the amount of the old feed.
Overfeeding horses, even those that have heavy workloads, can cause a variety of health problems including colic and founder. Rations should be determined on an individual basis and based on the weight of the horse and how much energy it regularly expends.
Wait at least two hours after giving concentrated feed to exercise the horse, so the animal has time to digest. Exercising too soon before feeding or too soon after could cause colic or trouble breathing.
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