| You have probably heard the saying that "you are | | | | Next step is to determine your horse's need for |
| what you eat" and the fact is that this doesn't | | | | grain and for the most part young and growing |
| just apply to humans. The saying applies to all | | | | horses will need it in their diets. Horses that work |
| beings and that means horses as well. If you | | | | heavily will also need grain to keep up the ability |
| want to keep your horse in its best possible | | | | to work hard. When feeding grain you need to |
| health and shape you must know what you can | | | | weigh it because every type of grain weighs |
| and can not feed it, when the right time for feed | | | | differently. Corn as an example is much lighter |
| is and what the right amount of food would be. | | | | than bran and if you in doubt then ask your |
| There are some rules to follow to make sure you | | | | veterinarian. |
| meet the horse's nutritional needs and they are | | | | Fourth Rule: |
| simple. But even so they will need to be followed | | | | Overfeeding your horse will need to more pain |
| consistently to have the optimal effect. | | | | than pleasure for both of you and even though it |
| First Rule: | | | | is said that the way to a horses heart is through |
| Find out how much your horse weigh because this | | | | food the results of overeating can be founder and |
| must be reflected in the amount of food it will | | | | colic. Remember to have any additional food |
| need for a optimal nutritional balance. But do try | | | | locked away because as horse that starts eating |
| to make your horse stand on your bathroom | | | | grain will not stop until is has finished or becomes |
| weight because it won't work. An easy way to | | | | sick. |
| measure the weight of a horse is to measure the | | | | Fifth Rule: |
| hearth girth with a horse tape. An alternative | | | | On the other hand underfeeding a horse can be |
| option will be to take it to a weight for live | | | | just a much dangerous as overfeeding because it |
| animals. Some of the larger farms have them for | | | | will leave your horse vulnerable to illnesses. A |
| their cattle. | | | | horse that lacks energy and has a weak immune |
| Second Rule: | | | | system might be suffering from lack of food so |
| Hay is a very important ingredient for your horse | | | | pay attention. |
| but you will know how much you will need to | | | | Sixth Rule: |
| feed it. The best possible mix will consist of a high | | | | Fresh water is just as important to a horse as it |
| percentage of bulk and a low percentage of grain. | | | | is to humans. Without good clean water in fair |
| An often used measurement is to feed your | | | | amounts it is hard for anyone to maintain a good |
| horse with 1.5 pounds of hay per 100 pounds of | | | | health. Colic is one of the many things that can be |
| the horse's body weight. Depending on how many | | | | caused by the lack of water. If you live in an area |
| times a day you feed your horse you will have to | | | | of the world where winters are very cold you |
| divide the grain into equal portions. It is extremely | | | | need to remember to give your horse easy |
| important that you do not give your horse to | | | | access to sufficient water. |
| much grain. Make sure to weigh the horse flakes | | | | If you follow these six basic rules you will be able |
| as they can vary much in weight. | | | | to have a healthy and powerful horse for many |
| Third Rule: | | | | years to come. |