Feeding a horse can be difficult.No two horses are the same and there are many different feeds to choose from.The amount of feed given to a horse depends on a number of factors.You should read to learn how to feed a horse.
Step 1: Provide your horse with plenty of water.
The horses need between 5 and 15 gallons of water per day.Make sure that your horse has access to water.Make sure that you water your horse at least twice a day and allow time for it to drink.Make sure the water in your horse's trough is clean.You can keep the trough clean by hosing it out every day.
Step 2: Provide your horse with food.
hay and grass are important for a horse's diet.Horses eat a lot of hay and grass.Make sure that your horse always has plenty of hay to chew on, because horses should eat about 15-20 pounds of it every day.Make sure the hay you feed your horse is free of dust and mold.
Step 3: Provide your horse with nonstructuralCarbohydrates in moderation
Grains like oats and corn are important for a horse's nutrition.Provide small amounts of grain to your horse.Horses can have 12 pound of grain per 100 pounds of body weight.During the day, feed your horse two or three evenly distributed feedings.Measure the portions of your horse's food to make sure you give her the correct amount.Feed grain to your horse during the cooler hours of the day if the weather is warm.
Step 4: Feed your horse with fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Your horse will get most of its calories from hay and grass, but you should feed it some fortified feed each day to make sure it gets enough calories.Important parts of your horse's nutrition are fat, vitamins, and minerals, but they are not required in large amounts.
Step 5: As needed, supplement.
If you think your horse isn't getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs, you can supplement with vitamins for horses.Don't overload your horse with too much vitamins.An excess of vitamins can cause problems.
Step 6: Allow treats to be given in moderation.
A great way to bond with your horse is to give her treats when you want to reward her.Make sure that you don't give your horse too many treats or that it learns to expect them or even try to root around in your clothes for treats.You can give your horse fresh apples, carrots, green beans, watermelon rinds, and celery.
Step 7: You can use a weight bridge or weight tape to weigh your horse.
A weight bridge is more accurate than a tape bridge.Weight changes can be recorded in condition scoring.Plot the changes on a graph when you weigh your horse.
Step 8: The total daily requirements should be calculated.
The requirement is between 2.5% and 1.5 to 3% of its body weight.Determine how much you should feed your horse with the following equation.
Step 9: Determine the amount of weight gain you want for your horse.
Do you want to keep the horse's diet the same?Do you want to reduce the horse's weight?Do you want to increase your horse's body weight because of a past illness or because he is too skinny?Feed based on the desired weight is the best strategy to use when developing a feeding plan for your horse.E.g.The horse is overweight.Don't feed 2.5% of 300 kilogrammes if the horse's ideal weight is 400 kilomes.2.5% of 400 kilo.The same strategy can be used for an overweight horse.Feed based on the desired weight, and not current, means you will actually be feeding less that the overweight amount, meaning a reduction of waistline for your horse.
Step 10: Feed different types or mix of types to control the energy level.
Depending on the type of grass, the amount of DE can vary.The DE is affected by the time of year.The grass in the spring is high while the winter grass is poor.The cut affects the DE.The early cut grass is higher in DE.It's very low in DE.The best way to find out the nutrition in your food is to have it analyzed.
Step 11: The type of energy you choose will affect your horse.
Some horses can become excited and spooky.Slow-release energy (fiber and oil) is the safest form of energy and will help the horses.Other horses are lazy.Starch found in cereals and grains can help.Some horses need to be restricted because of a number of health problems.
Step 12: If you don't know how much to feed your horse, check it with a professional.
If you don't know how much to feed your horse, talk to the vet.You can use the feed manufacturers' help lines to get feeding advice for your horse.
Step 13: As needed, adjust your horse's food intake.
Depending on the amount of fresh grass she has eaten while out to pasture and her activity level, your horse's nutrition needs will vary.Evaluate your horse's needs every day to decide whether to add or subtract.If your horse has been eating a lot of grass, she won't need as much hay.If your horse has had a hard workday with lots of riding, you will need to provide more food to help replenish the calories she burned.
Step 14: You can schedule feedings an hour before or after riding your horse.
Blood flow will be diverted away from her organs if you feed your horse right after she has finished doing something strenuous.Feed around your horse's activity.Schedule your horse's feeding for three hours prior to her activity.
Step 15: Slowly make changes to your horse's diet.
Don't just switch to the new feed if you have to change your horse's feed.To start, replace 25% of the old feed with the new one.The old feed should be replaced with the new feed in two days.The old feed should be replaced with the new feed two days after that.You will be able to give your horse new feed two days after that.You should feed your horse at the same time every day in addition to making food changes.A regular feeding schedule makes horses perform better.Changes to your horse's feed or feeding schedule can cause problems.There is a condition called equine colic that can cause severe abdominal pain and even require surgery.The separation of the hoof from the foot can be caused by founder, a condition that causes poor circulation.The founder can be fatal.