Some people believe there are no specific rules to feeding horses. As such, they go about it however they please. In reality though, there are certain steps you need to take. This will ensure your horse remains healthy and happy. Let’s have a closer look at the most important ones here, as well as the impact they have on horse feed.

Increase feed according to work

For one thing, look at increasing the volume of feed so it matches the amount of work a horse is doing. Should you exceed the level of calories your horse needs, they will gain weight. If your horse is doing light work, it’s necessary to get the degree of energy they need correct. Should you feed even a small amount extra each day, this can accumulate with time and lead to weight problems.

Change gradually

Secondly, if you do make changes to your horse’s feeding, you need to do them gradually. The microbes within the hind gut must have time to adapt to new feeds. Abrupt changes in diet mean there is a higher risk of horses developing colic. This is if you compare to where changes happen over time. In addition, you reduce the risk of horses rejecting the feed; they can be picky eaters after all.

Moreover, if you haven’t used horse feed concentrates containing starch previously, the enzymes within the small intestine responsible for digesting it need time to increase. It can take as long as a month for the amylases to accumulate. Also, research has revealed that animals consuming high-starch concentrates are more at risk of developing colic. The danger goes up with the level of concentrate feed in the diet. Be very careful here.

Feed timing

Next, it is more important than most people know to feed a horse at the same time every single day. Horses are animals of habit. Thus, they thrive on routine. They have wonderful internal clocks and are some of the best timekeepers. Due to this, it’s preferable to maintain a feeding routine and schedule. A shift in scheduling might not be detrimental to most horses, but you should avoid sudden alterations in horses vulnerable to colic. This could increase the danger of another episode.

Quality feeds only

This goes without saying, but you should also feed your horse decent quality feeds. Interestingly, horses have evolved over time so they have the ability to digest feeds that are lower quality. They can be suitable if, for instance, your horse must lose weight. Generally though, you will want to stick with higher quality feeds.

In addition, you should make sure that horse feed has a high hygienic quality. This refers to factors capable of negatively affecting the preservation of food as well as the horse’s wellbeing and health. For example, feed should be free of mould, insects, and dust.

Keep water and feed buckets clean

We tend to put much consideration into what we are feeding horses. Even so, we can overlook what we are using to hold feed and water. Specifically, we may forget to consider the cleanliness of tubs and buckets. Your horse may not care about how clean these are, but they can accumulate residue. As a result, it is good practice to make sure you are cleaning them at least twice a week. Daily cleaning or changes for water buckets, tubs or drinkers is wise. Keeping water and feed buckets clean is vital to prevent contamination and health problems.

When to exercise and feed

Finally, don’t feed huge levels of concentrates before riding. Best practice is to permit one or two hours after a feed before doing any exercise. Similarly, don’t feed straight after exercise. Allow one or two hours before feeding. During exercise, blood gets diverted to the lungs and muscles. Digestion slows as a result. So, a big meal before exercise can increase the danger of colic developing. Equally, make certain your horse has fully cooled down after exercise before feeding.

We provide great horse feed products

At JS Hubbuck Ltd, we have several options for feed available. You will be able to find something that suits your specific needs, including hard workers that need higher levels of calories and nutrients. There are plenty of other goods in our inventory as well.

So, if there’s anything that interests you or you have questions about horse feed, please give us a call. We value the quality of our service, ensuring we make sure clients have a great experience with us.