Horses can easily rack up hefty feed bills—particularly those that require a concentrate feed or balancer to meet their nutrient and energy needs. This is an area of horse care, however, where you don’t want to cut rations or buy the cheapest product to try to save money. The smarter move is to take a few strategic steps to get the most value from your horse feed while ensuring he stays healthy and in good condition. Here’s how.
Forage First
Forage should always be the foundation of your horse’s diet. Quality hay and pasture not only provide essential nutrients but also help keep your horse’s digestive system running smoothly. Make sure you’re offering your horse plenty of high-quality forage. If it fulfills enough of your horse’s nutrient requirements, it might reduce the need for additional concentrates.
Tip: The most accurate way to determine whether you’re getting the best value on quality hay is to price it by the ton instead of the bale, because hay bale weights vary considerably.
Know What Your Horse Needs
Work with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to determine what nutrients your horse needs in his diet and where they come from. This information will tell you whether you’re under- or overfeeding (and overspending!).
Choose the Right Feed Type
Feed manufacturers formulate a variety of feeds to meet specific horses’ needs. A feed designed for your type of horse (e.g., senior, young and growing, performance, broodmare, etc.) will have the proper amount of protein, vitamins, minerals, and energy or calories. As a result, it will be more cost-effective than feeding a product that doesn’t meet your horse’s needs, because you won’t need to spend extra on supplements to correct the imbalance.
Quality Over Quantity
Investing in a high-quality concentrate feed or ration balancer might seem expensive initially, but it can save you money in the long run. Well-balanced, quality feed is digestible and nutrient-dense. This means your horse gets better nutrition from less feed, reducing overall consumption. Also consider the form of the feed. Extruded feed nuggets, for instance, are very nutrient-dense and easier for horses to digest compared to pellets. They do have a higher volume of feed per pound, but in many instances the horse can consume less by weight because of the cooked form and nutrient density.
Calculate Daily Feed Costs
If you’re comparing feed brands, you might gravitate toward the less-expensive, value horse feeds. However, cheaper bags can cost you more over time if you must feed more pounds per day to meet your horse’s needs. Here’s a calculation to help you determine how much you’re really spending on feed so you can compare products:
(The price of a bag of feed)/(The weight of that bag of feed) x Pounds fed per day = the daily cost of feeding your horse
Knowing how much you’re spending daily on your horse’s feed can also help you budget more effectively.
Follow Feeding Instructions
The label on your horse’s feed bag has precise instructions for feeding rates and rations based on your horse’s weight, age, and activity level. Every horse is different based on his individual needs and metabolism. Monitor your horse’s body condition to help determine the correct feeding rate. Avoid the temptation to feed less than the minimum recommended amount to save money unless your horse is an extremely easy keeper. Otherwise, you might find yourself supplementing his diet to supply adequate nutrients.
Tip: If your horse is an easy keeper, consider switching him to a ration balancer instead of cutting his feed ration below the minimum recommended amount on the label.
Weigh it Out
Measure your horse’s rations—both concentrates and hay bales—by the pound, not the scoop, flake, or handful. You can easily do this using a luggage or fish scale. Consistently feeding the correct amount can help keep your costs under control by not overfeeding.
Tip: A basic digital scale with which you can hang a bucket of feed or a haynet costs only $20-35.
Storage Matters
Store your feed and forage in a dry, cool place to maintain its nutritional value and prevent spoilage. Moisture and heat can lead to mold growth and nutrient degradation. Further, protect your feed from pests and prolong its shelf life by storing it in an airtight container. Always use the oldest feed first to ensure nothing goes to waste.
Reduce Waste
Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce waste and improve digestion. Tools to help include slow feeders and smart feeders. Slow feeders are designed to mimic natural grazing and can help reduce feed waste. Smart feeders can automate feed distribution, ensuring your horse receives the right amount of feed at the right times.
Take-Home Message
Knowing what your horse needs nutritionally is the first step toward making smart and cost-effective feeding choices and getting the most value from your horse feed. A veterinarian or equine nutritionist can offer invaluable insights into your horse’s specific dietary needs and help you adjust the diet as needed. Then, monitor his weight, coat, and body condition to ensure his feed is meeting those needs.
Related Reading:
- How To Choose Horse Feed: It’s All About Balance
- What Does it Cost to Feed a Horse?
- How To Measure Your Horse’s Feed and Hay
This article is brought to you by Sentinel Horse Feed.
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