How to Feed a Horse
Many people don't pay attention to the amount of feed their horses are getting. Most just use a scoop or can to serve the feed and don't know exactly how much the horse needs. Horse feed is supposed to be given according to the horse's weight. Over- or under-feeding is detrimental to performance, weight gain and health. Feed should also be spread out throughout the day, not fed all at once.
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Things You'll Need
- Weigh tape
- Feed bag and feed requirements
- Bucket
- Feed scoop
- Food scale
- Salt brick
- Hay/grass
Instructions
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1
Weigh your horse. Use a weigh tape or a scale at a veterinarian's office.
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2
Read on the feed bag for the correct ratio to feed your horse. Horse feed is fed by pounds, not volume. Different types of feed require different amounts to be fed.
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3
Weigh the bucket that you feed your horse with everyday. This is the bucket in which you first prepare the feed.
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4
Pour feed into the bucket and weigh them together. This will get the correct amount of feed for your horse.
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Separate the feed into two or three daily feedings. You should not feed one big amount once a day; spread the feed out so your horse gets a little at a time.
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Give your horse free access to clean water and a salt brick. Horses need salt in their diet, and many feeds do not contain the proper amount.
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Allow your horse to eat free choice grass or hay. Forage is very important to a horse's healthy diet.
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Tips & Warnings
Allowing your horse to have free access to either grass or hay is vital to his health. Horses are grazing animals and need food in their stomachs at all times. This keeps their digestive tract healthy.
Giving your horse a salt or mineral brick in their pasture or stall will give them something to lick on and allows them to get needed salt in their diet.
Don't feed your horse too much feed at one time. Over-feeding can cause colic which can be fatal.
