Feeding horses

Attention! If you are experiencing behavioral problems with you horse, it may be due to his diet! Super Gentle Horses recommends feeding Bermuda Grass hay only! Grains, sweet feeds, senior feeds, Strategy, even Alfalfa Hay has higher protiens than what many horses are use to. Do not feed these feeds unless you want a spunkier, spookier, horse! The only exeption to this rule rule would be a horse that is worked very hard daily, or performance horses.

Owning horses is a responsibility. A commitment is made when one agrees to
'keep' a horse since that animal becomes totally dependent on the owner for
his welfare. Whether the horse is kept at home or at a boarding stable, the
ultimate responsibility for the horse's care is with the owner.

A horses physical condition is totally dependent upon the person who feeds
him. If his ribs are showing, it is obvious he is not getting enough to eat.
If he's obese, he's getting too much. Horses should be fed individually to be
sure they get their prescribed amount. If fed in a group, there may be one
who rapidly consumes his own feed then runs to the other feeders before the
more timid horses are finished.

Feeding horses is a science wherein the old adage "little and often" must be
followed. The horse's stomach is small in relation to its overall size, so it
cannot efficiently utilize a large amount of feed at one time. Ideally, a
horse should be fed two or even three times a day. When calculating the
amount to feed daily, remember a mature horse in light work will need to eat
the equivalent of 1.5% to 1.75% of its body weight per day in order to
maintain condition. For example, a six year old, 1000 lb. gelding that trail
rides a few hours a week needs to eat 15 to 17.5 lbs. of feed per day to
maintain his weight. Always feed hay by the weight, don't rely on feeding
flakes. Some hay is baled "light" and others are heavy. An example would be;
a flake 6" wide of good quality alfalfa hay might weigh 10 pounds, but it may
take a flake of grass hay 12" wide to equal the same weight. This calculation
is a guideline, if your horse is thin, feed him more regardless of the
calculation. The horse's age and growth rate, pregnancy, lactation, and
amount of exercise will increase the amount of feed needed.

The type of feed given to the horse will depend on the horse's ability to
digest the feed and the owner's preference. For the average horse, feeding a
ration consisting mostly of baled hay is a good idea because it ensures the
horse gets enough roughage to stimulate the intestines to contract properly.
Also, it takes a longer time for a horse to eat hay, thus giving the horse
something to do besides cribbing or some other vice brought on by boredom.
The hay should be of good quality -- free of dust, mold, weeds or insects and
not contain thorny weeds or foreign objects.

Alfalfa hay is the most common
type available in Arizona, but has higher protien levels which can give horses extra energy, resulting in behavior problems.

Grass hay only or an alfalfa-grass mix should be used.

There are many commercial feed mixtures available such as pellets which provide a complete and balanced ration, but I would recommend feeding a little hay along with the pellets so we don't return to the boredom problem.

Horses are creatures of habit, so stick to a routine.
Feed them at approximately the same times every day, not when it's convenient
for you! If you must go away, employ the services of a dependable caretaker
and leave the phone number of your veterinarian in case of emergency.

Always feed your horse out of a feeder, and never off the ground. Over time
horses will ingest sand, or gravel which settles in the intestines. This
creates a serious or even fatal problem referred to as sand colic

Switching feeds
A horse's digestive system is very sensitive and reacts to any sudden change
in diet. If you are planning to switch feeds, gradually start adding a little
of the new feed, increasing the amount of new feed each day and decreasing
the amount of old feed slowly. Your horse should adapt to the new feed in
about a week. Consult your veterinarian regarding the appropriate diet for
the horse's age and level of activity.

Feeding a vitamin supplement along with grain may be required for horses in
hard training, mares in foal, along with growing foals. Keep in mind that
grains and sweetfeed are considered a "hot " feed and will give your horse
more energy. Many horses who are given grain will have some behavioral
changes, and become a little more "ornery."

Fresh water and a salt or mineral block should be provided to the horse at
all times.


Summary
Owning horses involves an extensive investment in time and money. It's
something that demands your attention morning and night 365 days of the year,
in the coldest weather as well as the warmest. Your vacations are restricted
by your ability to find a reliable horse-sitter, since you can't just take a
horse to the local pet hotel! However, as a reward for all your dedicated
care and attention, a special bond of mutual trust eventually develops
between you and your equine friend -- a bond which will hopefully continue
for many years to come.