| Though it would certainly be nice if there was a | | | | musty and moldy, and could cause your horse to |
| full proof template for feeding a horse, | | | | develop respiratory issues. Most horses will let you |
| unfortunately one does not exist. Simply put, you | | | | know this, though. They simply won't eat the |
| have to take these things on a case by case | | | | cheap stuff in huge quantities. |
| basis. There are many different factors that can | | | | Depending upon how big your horse is, he will |
| impact how much food a horse needs. Obviously, | | | | need a varying amount of hay. Large horses of |
| a horse that goes through a lot of activity will | | | | around 1,200 pounds, for example, need around |
| need more food than one that just sits around. | | | | twenty pounds of hay each day all year long. |
| Not only will all horses have different needs for | | | | Smaller horses, on the other hand, could require a |
| how much food they ingest, but they will also | | | | little bit less hay in order to maintain their weight |
| have different likes and dislikes about their food. It | | | | and keep performing at a high level. If you want |
| is important to always keep a finger on the pulse | | | | to insure the horse's performance and health |
| of your animal's temperament. Find out what kind | | | | through the winter, be sure to give them a little |
| of foods it likes and what foods it does not like. | | | | bit of extra hay. This will enable the horse to |
| When you do this, you will be able to pinpoint the | | | | maintain its full body weight. |
| foods that are easier for your horse to ingest. | | | | Horse owners should not always go with that rule, |
| It is no coincidence that most horses take much | | | | though. There are times when it is not appropriate |
| better to more expensive foods. The more | | | | to change a horse's diet with the seasons. If the |
| expensive foods are made with better ingredients | | | | horse seems to be maintaining its weight well and |
| and they are easier to swallow and digest. Play to | | | | performing at a high level with the same diet, |
| your horse's desire for this food and make sure | | | | then don't make any huge changes. Always keep |
| to buy the good stuff. More times than not, | | | | your eye out for any extreme weight loss, |
| cheap food won't taste good to the horses and | | | | though. |
| they may or may not continue eating it. Even if | | | | Horses are an interesting kind of animal in that |
| they do, the cheap food will cause lots of health | | | | they eat a huge percentage of their overall body |
| problems over the course of time. You might | | | | weight each day. An average horse will need to |
| save a little bit of money in the short run with | | | | eat 1%-2% of their total body weight each day. |
| cheap food, but in the long run, you will lose out | | | | Keep that in mind when providing food for your |
| big time. Cheap food has a tendency to become | | | | horse. |