Feeding horses
One must know that just like humans horse also need a balanced and nutritional diet in order to survive. It is significant for one to consider certain things in horse feeding to keep his horse healthy. It is a good idea to split your horse feed. People usually feed a horse twice or thrice a day. It is essential for horse owner to keep regular diet schedule and sanction some hours work to the horse between feeding.
The amount of food your horse requires is dependent on the certain things such as: size, breed, age, and activity. Usually a horse requires 2 to 2.2 pounds of feed for 100 pounds of body weight.
Types of horse feeding:
1. Pasture for horses: It is the most natural and nutritional food for horses. Horse requires a large area to graze the pasture. It is significant for owner to know that green field doesn’t mean that it’s fine for horse grazing. It is a good idea to utilize the amount of grazing available by dividing their pasture into segments and rotating your horse to the different paddocks. This will give a chance to grass to grow back.
2. Hay for horses: It is the significant food for domestic horses. Owner should provide high quality hay to their horses. It is important to examine hay carefully before purchasing as at times it contains dust. Moldy hay can cause colic disease in horses therefore moldy hay should be avoided. Ensure that the bales are not harm as it can cause harm to your horse.
3. Concentrates for horses: hardworking horses require enough nutrition to perform good therefore; concentrates are essentials in their diet. Concentrates are significant for hard-working horses, pregnant and nursing mares, or growing youngsters.
4. Beet pulp pellets: It is the food that is left back when table sugar is extracted from sugar beets and is completely harmless feeding for horses. Beet pellets must be sodden before feeding horses, to allow them to expand. It is a good idea to use hot water as it will take an hour to expand whereas, coldwater will require overnight soaking.
It is significant to include fresh water in your horse diet. One should provide hygienic water to their horse and they usually drink 5 to 10 gallons a day.
Overfeeding horse can have devastating effects and can give birth to disease like founder and laminitis. Therefore, it is significant for one to keep a regular eye on his horse diet to prevent it from digestion problems. It is a good idea to stick on the diet that works for your horse.