| You are what you eat, and this goes for horses | | | | 4.) Be sure not to overfeed your horses. They |
| as well. Keeping your horse in optimal shape | | | | say the best way to a horse's heart is through |
| means knowing what to feed, how much to feed, | | | | his stomach. As true as that might be, |
| and when to feed. To keep your horse at his | | | | overfeeding your horse can cause a wide variety |
| healthiest and ensure that his nutritional needs are | | | | of health problems, specifically founder or colic. Be |
| being met, follow these simple rules. | | | | sure your horse doesn't overeat accidentally by |
| 1.)Weigh your horse. You can't feed your horse | | | | keeping all grain and feed in a locked bin. A horse |
| correctly unless you know his weight. But before | | | | who gets into grain will eat and eat until he |
| you bring him into your bathroom and attempt to | | | | becomes sick! |
| load him on your scale, you should know that | | | | 5.) Be sure not to underfeed your horse. |
| there is an easier, more sensible method. To | | | | Underfeeding is just as dangerous as overfeeding. |
| estimate your horse's weight, measure his heart | | | | Underfed horses are at risk for illness. If your |
| girth with a horse weight tape. | | | | horse is thin and weak, and lacks energy, it's |
| 2.) Figure out how many pounds of hay your | | | | possible he's not getting enough food. |
| horse needs. A good equine diets consists of a | | | | 6.) Supplement your horse's diet. Free choice |
| high percentage of bulk, and a low percentage of | | | | trace mineralized salt is a great way to balance |
| grain. It is very, very important that you don't | | | | your horse's diet. These blocks contain good |
| feed your horse too much grain! As a rule of | | | | things like salt, iodine, zinc, iron, manganese, |
| thumb, your horse should be fed 1.5 pound of hay | | | | copper, and cobalt. A calcium and phosphorous |
| daily per 100 pounds of body weight. If you feed | | | | mineral block is another good way to ensure your |
| your horse twice a day, split the number you | | | | horse is getting all the nutrients he needs. |
| arrive at in half. Don't just measure your horse | | | | Depending upon the type of hay you are feeding, |
| flakes of hay. Be sure to weight each flake. You | | | | your horse will have different mineral needs. It's |
| would be surprised, but flakes of hay can vary | | | | always a good idea to ask your vet what |
| quite a bit in weight! | | | | minerals will balance out your horse's diet. |
| 3.) Figure out how much grain your horse needs. | | | | 7.) Make sure your horse always has fresh water. |
| First of all, you should know that not all horses | | | | Good quality, free-choice water is absolutely |
| need grain in their diets. Young, growing horses, | | | | imperative to keep your horse in good health. |
| lactating broodmares, and horses in heavy work | | | | Horses who don't get enough water can become |
| need grain. Other horses can probably do without. | | | | sick, lose their appetites, and suffer from colic. If |
| Grain should be fed by weight, and not by | | | | you live in a winter climate, it is especially |
| volume. If you plan on feeding your horse scoops | | | | important that you do something to ensure that |
| of grain, make sure you know how much each | | | | your horse's water sources aren't frozen. |
| scoop weighs. Each type of grain will have its own | | | | Breaking the surface of natural water bodies, or |
| weight. Bran, for example, is much lighter than | | | | providing a heating element to keep water from |
| corn. If you need help figuring out how much grain | | | | freezing, is necessary to keeping your horse |
| to feed your horse, ask your veterinarian. | | | | well-hydrated. |