Top 10 Nutritional Tips for Horses

26 January 2010

The following 10 tips are from the experts at the ASPCA Peter Nutrition and Science Advisory Service.

1. Base your horse's Diet on Grass and Hay

A horse's digestive system is made to process large quantities of grass, which is high in fiber and water. The basic diet for most horses should consist of grass and good-quality hay that's free of dust and mold.

2. Feed several small meals a day

Because horses' stomachs were developed for grazing, horses function better with a feeding plan based on 'little and often'. It is recommended that horses should eat small means - at least two, preferably three or more in the course of a day. 

 3. No Grain, No Gain

Most horses, even fairly active ones, don't need the extra calories found in grains. Excess grains can lead to muscle, bone and joint problems in young and adult horses. Unless directed otherwise it's best to feed low-energy diets high in grass and hay.

4. Be aware of individual needs

Feed according to the individuality of the horse, including condition and activity level. Some horses have difficulty keeping on weight, and need more feed per unit of body weight. However, most horses should eat between 2 percent of their body weight in kilos of hay or other feeds. Your veterinarian can help you decide how and what to feed your horse.

5. Water works

Plenty of fresh, clean water should be available most times, even if the hose only drinks once or twice a day. Contrary to instinct, horses who are hot from strenuous exercise should not have free access to water. Rather, they should be allowed only a few sips every three to five minutes until they have adequately cooled down.

6. Provide a supplementary salt block

Because most diets do not contain mineral levels high enough for optimal health and performance, horses should have free access to a trance mineral and salt block. This will provide your horse with adequate levels of salt to stabilize PH and electrolyte levels, as well as adequate levels of trace minerals. As long as plenty of fresh water is available, you needn't be concerned about over consumption of salt.

7. Take is slow

Any changes in the diet should be made gradually to avoid colic (abdominal pain usually associated with intestinal disease) and laminitis (painful inflammation in the hoof associated with separation of the hood bone from the hoof wall), either of which can be catastrophic. Horses are physically unable to vomit or belch. Overfeeding and rapid rates of intake are potential problems.

8. Dental care and your horse diet: chew on this...

Horses need their teeth to grind grass and hay, so it is important to keep teeth in good condition. At the age of five years, horses should begin annual dental checkups by a veterinarian to see if their teeth need floating (filing). Tooth quality has to be considered when deciding whether or not to feed processed grains (grains what are no longer whole, such as cracked corn and rolled oats). Horses with poor dental soundness - a particular problem in older horses - tend to benefit more from processed feed than do younger horses, who have sounder mouths and teeth.

9. Exercise Caution

Stabled horses need exercise. Horses, will eat better, digest food better and be less likely to colic if they get proper exercise. Horses should finish eating at least an hour before hard work. Do not feed grain to tired or hot horses until they are cooled and rested, preferably one or two hours after activity. You can feed them hay instead. To prevent hot horses from cooling down too quickly, keep them out of drafts or warm in blankets.

10. Don't leave home without it

Because abrupt dietary change can have devastating results on a horse's sensitive system, you should always bring your horse's food with you when you travel.