| Feeding a horse is one of the most important | | | | TEMPERAMENT |
| responsibilities of a horse owner. If not done | | | | AMOUNT AND TYPE OF WORK |
| correctly and overfeeding grain feeds a horse can | | | | TYPE OF RIDER |
| develop colic, (build up of gas) it is caused as | | | | WETHER FULLY STABLED OR AT GRASS |
| horses are unable to burp. This is very serious | | | | TIME OF YEAR |
| and in same cases can be fatal. | | | | TYPE OF PASTURE |
| The Ten Rules Of Feeding | | | | AGE OF HORSE |
| There are 10 rules to feeding horses these are - | | | | APPROXIMATE DAILY AMOUNTS OF DIET FOR |
| FEED LITTLE AND OFTEN - Horses have quite | | | | DIFFERENT HEIGHTS |
| small stomachs so food must be fed small | | | | 17 hands - 34lbs |
| amounts at frequent intervals. Ideally a horse | | | | 16 hands - 30lbs |
| should never go more than 8 hours without feed. | | | | 15 hands - 26lbs For the horses and ponies who |
| PLENTY OF BULK - To work efficiently a horses | | | | are half a hand or 2 inches |
| digestive system needs to be constantly filled. To | | | | 14 hands - 22lbs higher, an extra 2lbs is added |
| achieve this feed bulk feeds such as hay and | | | | example 13.2 hands - 20lbs, |
| grass. | | | | 13 hands - 18lbs |
| CORRECT AMOUNT AND TYPE - You can cause | | | | 12 hands - 14lbs |
| your horse physical and mental problems feeding | | | | ALSO THE PERCENTAGES OF BULK AND |
| too much, too little or the wrong type of feed. | | | | CONCENTRATES CHANGE DEPENDING ON |
| GOOD QUALITY - Make sure your food isn't past | | | | WORK. |
| its sell by date. | | | | A horse in light work should get 30% concentrate |
| MAKE NO SUDDEN CHANGES TO DIET - | | | | 70% bulk. |
| Introduce new feeds gradually to avoid digestive | | | | A horse in medium work should get 50% |
| problems. | | | | concentrate 50% bulk |
| DO NOT FEED DIRECTLY BEFORE EXERCISE - A | | | | And a horse in hard work should get 70% |
| horse must be allowed at least 1 hour after a | | | | concentrate 30% bulk. |
| feed before he is worked. If this isn't done a | | | | Most feed merchants have balanced diets for all |
| horses can develop colic and breathing problems. | | | | type of horses and all types of work. So the |
| ROUTINE - Horses are creatures of habit. | | | | horse owners job isn't as hard as it used to be. |
| CLEANLINESS - Keep all utensils scrupulously clean. | | | | Most feed merchants have dieticians so you can |
| A SUCCULENT EACH DAY - This is very import | | | | ask them or your vet what to feed your horse. |
| if the horse is not at grass. Apples, carrots and | | | | Most compound feeds have guild lines on the back |
| swedes add variety and provide some essential | | | | of the bag and phone numbers you can ring for |
| vitamins. | | | | help. |
| WATER BEFORE FEEDING - A horse can wash | | | | Always insure your horse has access to clean |
| undigested food out of its stomach if he drinks | | | | fresh water. A horse can drink between 10-15 |
| after feeding. | | | | gallons a day. |
| Also when feeding horses there are other | | | | One last thing please remember all percentages |
| considerations these include - | | | | and feed quantities are guide lines. EAch horse is |
| THE WEIGHT OF THE HORSE | | | | an individual and will have to be closely monitored. |
| THE BREED | | | | |