| Grass is a natural source of nutrition for a horse | | | | stabling practices and human schedules that favor |
| Equine nutrition refers to the feeding of horses, | | | | feeding horses twice a day, it is important to |
| ponies, mules, donkeys and other equids. Correct | | | | remember the underlying biology of the animal |
| and balanced nutrition is a critical component of | | | | when determining what to feed, how often, and in |
| proper horse care. | | | | what quantities. |
| Horses are herbivores, a type of non-ruminant | | | | The digestive system of the horse is somewhat |
| known as a "hind-gut fermentor." What this | | | | delicate. Because horses are unable to regurgitate |
| means is that horses have only one stomach, | | | | food, except from the esophagus, if they |
| similar to humans. However, unlike humans, they | | | | overeat or eat something poisonous, vomiting is |
| also have to digest plant fiber that comes from | | | | not an option. They are also very susceptible to |
| grass and hay. Therefore, unlike ruminants, who | | | | colic, which is a leading cause of death in horses. |
| digest fiber in plant matter by use of a | | | | Therefore, horses require clean, high-quality feed, |
| multichambered stomach, horses use bacterial | | | | provided at regular intervals, and may become ill if |
| fermentation that occurs in the organ known as | | | | subjected to abrupt changes in their diets. |
| the cecum (or caecum) to break down cellulose. | | | | Horses are also sensitive to molds and toxins. For |
| In practical terms, horses prefer to eat small | | | | this reason, they must never be fed |
| amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as | | | | contaminated fermentable materials such as lawn |
| they do in nature when grazing on pasture. | | | | clippings. |
| Although this is not always possible with modern | | | | |