| There are several methods for feeding and | | | | Horses are grazers, they feed little but often. |
| watering horses and you will find the ones that | | | | They require a constant supply of hay or feed to |
| suit you and your horse. Every horse and owner | | | | keep their digestive system in good order. There |
| is different and you must not feel you have to | | | | are several reasons feeding habits may change. If |
| follow a certain pattern if it does not suit you | | | | a horse is out to grass he will not eat so much |
| both. It is your responsibility as the owner to | | | | hay, they are more likely to have filled up on |
| provide food and water, so use the method that | | | | grass. He may not eat so well if he has problems |
| is best for you both. | | | | with his teeth or mouth, he may need a more |
| In the summer most horses will be kept out at | | | | succulent diet. If you do need to change his diet it |
| grass where they will graze almost constantly. In | | | | must be done gradually as sudden changes can |
| this case there will be no need for additional hay. | | | | cause digestive upset. Stress can have a big |
| If your horse/pony is prone to Laminitis you must | | | | impact on the horses feeding habits and can be |
| limit the grass supply. | | | | caused by any small changes in his immediate |
| When the horse is in his stable you will need to | | | | environment. |
| provide a constant supply of hay from a correctly | | | | It is important to investigate any changes in |
| hung hay net, on the floor or from a manger. If | | | | feeding habits as these changes may be the first |
| there is a need to provide hay in the field there | | | | signs of serious illness. |
| must be enough piles or nets for each horse, plus | | | | Water must also be available at all times |
| a spare, this reduces the risk of fighting and | | | | whatever the time of year. In the stable this |
| bullying. | | | | could be from a bucket or an automatic watering |
| During the winter hay must be available at all | | | | system - a self filler. In either case the container |
| times, you will need to provide a few wedges | | | | must be cleaned well every day. Buckets will need |
| from a bale, several times a day. It is probable | | | | checking and refilling several times a day. Buckets |
| your horse will need hard feed during the cold | | | | can get kicked over and soak your horses bed. |
| winter months, as well as hay. This should be | | | | By standing the bucket in an old tyre, this is |
| given in a bucket without handles so the horse | | | | prevented. |
| cannot get his legs caught, over the door buckets | | | | In the field water can be given in a self filling |
| or from a manger. If there are several horses in | | | | purpose made water trough. If this is not |
| the same field and just one needs to be fed it is | | | | available, buckets without handles can be used or |
| important to remove him from the field and tie | | | | a practical solution is an old bath once the taps |
| him up, away from the others. | | | | have been removed, as long as there are no |
| When several horses are kept together and all | | | | sharp edges or handles. |
| need feeding it is best to tie them up at different | | | | Water should be checked at least twice a day to |
| areas around the field. These practical tips can | | | | ensure a good suply and to remove and floating |
| prevent all sorts of problems for you when | | | | debris. |
| horses can become agitated at feed times. | | | | |