The feeding of horses is a vital component in helping them to have the best possible health. While horses and ponies do graze , which provides part of their diet, you will need to provide forage feed for them. Forage feed aids in proper digestion and will help your horses to be in the best overall health.
While food requirements for horses and ponies can vary depending on age and how active they are, in general it is best to have them take in an amount equal to 2 percent of their body weight each day. About 50 percent of the horses diet ought to be composed of forage feed.
For optimal health, a horse would need to eat all forage feed. Owners can do some research on feed ingredients to find the feed with the higher quality ingredients for your horse.
The type of feed and necessary supplements will depend on whether the horse is working and its age. If the horse is a senior or is not a working horse, then it is not necessary to add supplements. If the horse is fed only grass, then it should receive a supplement of forage feed in the winter. Working, breeding or stabled horses should receive more feed in their diet.
It is important to remember that when a horse or pony is on an alternating exercise and rest schedule, it needs less food during the rest days to prevent Azoturia. It is also important to remember that changes in feed should be avoided at this time.
Feed time is also an important factor in the horse or pony's health. There should be a regular feeding time. Time should be given after exercise before the horse is fed.
The horse's heart may be strained or the horse may develop breathing problems if exercised on a full stomach. Wait a few hours after a horse or pony has been exercised before feeding.
Lastly, water should be available at all times. The horse owner may decide to supplement with things like salt, seaweed and bran. Others have been known to feed some fruit, maize, or cod liver oil. If the horse owner stays true to these feeding techniques, they are sure to have a healthy horse.
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