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.
For older horses, or horses with lower activity levels, it is necessary to keep them on a diet of forage feed alone. For horses which consume just grass, they will still need to get forage feed additionally during the colder months of the year. For breeding horses and working horses extra forage food will probably be needed.
It is important to remember that a horse or pony that has exercise and then rest days will need less food during the rest to prevent Azoturia. All 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.
Finally, water needs to be accessible for your horse at any time. As an owner you might wish to add to your horse's diet with supplements like seaweed, bran, or salt. Some owners give cod liver oil, fruit, or maize as well. If you follow the above guidelines for the feeding and care of your horse, you will be rewarded with a happy and healthy horse.
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