Feeding a horse might seem straightforward: Just toss him some hay and grain a couple of times a day. Alas, it’s not that simple. Many owners unknowingly make feeding mistakes that can affect their horses’ health. Understanding common pitfalls, however, can ensure your horse gets the nutrients he needs and remains in great condition. Let’s explore the most common horse feeding mistakes owners make and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Measuring Feed by Volume
One of the most common horse feeding mistakes is feeding by volume instead of weight. It’s certainly convenient to dole out feed rations by the scoop or hay by the flake. This method, however, does not account for the varying weights of different feeds and hay types. As a result, you might be over- or underfeeding your horse, leading to dietary imbalances and weight gains/losses.
Feeding by weight ensures your horse gets the correct ratio of essential micronutrients. Simply use a kitchen or luggage scale to measure out the recommended amount of concentrate or complete feed (Hint: Check the feed bag label). Once you’ve measured it a few times, you’ll get a good sense of how much your horse needs each day. Make it a habit to weigh new batches of hay to account for forage weight fluctuations, as well.
Mistake #2: Feeding the Wrong Feed
Most feeds are specifically formulated for a horse’s life stage, nutritional needs, and activity level. Senior feeds, for instance, are designed for older horses that can no longer chew or digest as effectively. Performance feeds are for equine athletes and horses with elevated caloric requirements. You’ll also find feeds for growing horses, breeding horses, easy keepers, and more. In some instances, feeding a product that’s designed for a different type of horse can lead to nutritional imbalances.
Mistake #3: Overfeeding Grains and Concentrates
The foundation of a horse’s diet should be high-quality forage, supplemented with grains and concentrates as needed. Most horses, especially those in light to moderate work, do not require significant amounts of concentrated feed. Overloading can only lead to obesity and other health problems, such as laminitis.
Use the National Research Council’s guidelines to classify your horse’s activity level accurately. Then, monitor body condition (a healthy body condition score is 4 to 6), and adjust rations as needed to maintain a healthy weight.
Mistake #4: Oversupplementing
Oral supplements can help correct nutrient deficiencies, particularly for horses with certain health issues or requirements. Mixing too many supplements, however, can create negative interactions between nutrients, rendering them ineffective. And adding more than your horse needs is wasteful—it will simply get excreted through the horse’s urine. Too much of certain nutrients can even be harmful in some cases.
Fortunately, most of today’s high-quality feeds provide an optimal balance and level of all the nutrients a horse needs, provided they are fed at the recommended levels. So before adding supplements, calculate the nutrients your horse is already receiving from his feed ration. If feeding significantly under the recommended feeding rate, then you might consider a supplement or ration balancer.
Consult an equine nutritionist to ensure any supplements are necessary and beneficial.
Mistake #5: Making Sudden Dietary Changes
Sudden changes in diet (feed type or quantity) can upset your horse’s digestive system, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as colic. Always introduce new feeds and forages gradually over seven to 10 days to minimize digestive disturbances. Monitor your horse for signs of digestive upset during these dietary transitions.
Mistake #6: Underestimating the Importance of Forage
Free-choice forage (hay and pasture) should form the bulk of your horse’s diet. It not only keeps your horse’s digestive system running smoothly but also fulfills much of his nutrient requirements. In most cases, hay provides moderate to good levels of protein and calories. If feeding only hay or pasture, consider adding an overall vitamin and mineral supplement to go along with it.
Look for high-quality forage—leafy, green hay that is not overly mature. Avoid stemmy hay, which is less nutritious and harder to digest. If weight gain is an issue, consider switching to higher-quality hay before increasing grain intake. Because you can’t determine hay quality and nutrients simply by looking at it, consider getting your hay tested. Your local extension agent or feed company can help you start this process.
Mistake #7: Not Monitoring Feed and Water Intake
Common horse feeding mistakes include assuming your horse is eating and drinking enough. Monitor trough and bucket levels for water intake. A horse that’s not drinking well might be dehydrated or colicky, while excessive water intake might indicate kidney or endocrine issues. Water is hands-down the most important nutrient for a horse but often overlooked.
Also check your horse’s feed tubs and hay piles for signs of reduced appetite. A decrease in feed intake can be an early sign of illness, dental issues, or digestive problems that require veterinary intervention.
Mistake #8: Intermittent Feeding
Unlike humans, horses aren’t meant to consume large meals spaced hours apart. Rather, their digestive systems are designed for slow, continuous feeding. As a good rule of thumb, feed no more than 5 pounds of grain or concentrate at one time. If your horse needs high amounts of grain/concentrate, break it into several meals.
Consider using slow feeders and/or hay nets to mimic natural grazing and support digestive health. You can also install automatic feeders that dispense customized amounts of feed throughout the day. These can provide a more natural and consistent feeding schedule. And always provide as much pasture access as possible.
Take-Home Message
Feeding your horse correctly is crucial for maintaining his health and well-being. By avoiding common horse feeding mistakes, you can ensure he receives the nutrients he needs to thrive. If you need help designing an appropriate diet for your horse, talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.
Related Reading:
- How to Read a Horse Feed Tag
- How to Measure Your Horse’s Feed and Hay
- How to Easily Determine Your Horse’s Body Condition Score
This article is brought to you by Sentinel Horse Feeds.
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