What do horses mainly eat

Salt is important for horses as it encourages them to drink. Sodium is essential for hydration and fluid balance in horses, as it is one of the primary forms of electrolytes found in their bodies. See salt and mineral blocks for horses here on Amazon. Though not needed in their diets, many horses love getting treats.

Vegetables, fruits, peppermints, sugar cubes and store bought horse treats are some of the most popular treats to give horses. Treats can be a great way to reward your horse. They can be used to reinforce positive behaviours or even if you just want to indulge your horse. Just be sure not to give your horse too many treats, as it may cause them to become overweight. Apples, carrots, bananas, pumpkins and watermelon can be healthy vegetables for your horses eat in moderation.

Peppermints, sugar cubes and store-bought horse treats can be great for indulging your horse as a special reward. Though some people do not like to give treats to their horses, they can be a great way to bond with your horse when done right. An average 1, lb horse needs 20 to 25 lbs of feed a day. A typical diet for a horse being ridden for one hour for five days a week would be 2 to 5 pounds of concentrates and 15 to 20 pounds of hay per day. Because horses have a small stomach relative to their size, they eat little and often.

A horse kept in a stable needs food spread out, preferably in two to three feedings a day. Treats need to be considered as part of the overall feeding plan and kept to a minimum if your horse needs to watch its weight.

Your horse also needs to be respectful when being fed treats. Of course, a horse doesn't really "eat" water. However, water is an essential part of the equine diet. A horse eating pasture grass probably won't drink as much water as one on a hay-only diet. However, fresh, clean water is essential for both. Brans, including wheat and rice bran, are not recommended as a major part of your horse's diet.

All can cause mineral imbalances. Don't be tempted to throw lawn clippings, garden refuse or compostables over the fence. All can contain plants toxic to horses.

Destrez, Alexandra et al. Elsevier BV. Feeding Horses. PennState Extension. Bran Mash. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Their natural diet is mainly grass, which has high roughage content.

Horses should be provided with a predominantly fibre-based diet, either grass, hay, haylage or a hay replacement in order to mimic their natural feeding pattern as closely as possible.

Horses should be fed a suitable diet that reflects their needs and consideration should be given to the age, type, weight, condition, health and level of work of the individual. Feeding requirements will also vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions.

All conserved forage hay or haylage should be good quality. It should be clean free from soil, debris and poisonous plants , smell fresh and be visibly free from mould and dust.

Feeding forage at floor level is good for a horse's respiratory health, provided the underlying ground is kept reasonably clean. Good quality grazing may be adequate for the intake of roughage and minerals.

If grazing is inadequate, extra feeding may be required. Horses that are prone to laminitis inflammation of the sensitive plates of tissue in a horse's hoof, usually causing lameness may need their grazing restricted at certain times of the year.

Discuss this issue with a vet if you have any concerns. The quantity of concentrates fed to a horse as extra feed as well as any roughage for example, grazing, hay or similar fodder should be no more than that necessary to provide the required energy for the type and quantity of exercise performed.

Feeding too many concentrates can contribute to health problems such as gastrointestinal upset and laminitis. The daily concentrate ration should be spread over at least two meals a day. Horses should not be fed immediately before or following strenuous exercise as this can lead to gastrointestinal upset.

Feed should be stored in vermin-proof containers and carefully handled to prevent spoiling and to make sure the quality of feed is maintained. Feed containers and utensils should be kept clean to discourage rodents. Contaminated, mouldy or stale leftover food and forage should not be fed to the horse and should be removed daily.

Each feed should be well mixed and freshly prepared. Where loose horses are fed in groups there should be one feeder per horse plus an extra feeding point.

In certain situations it may be necessary to feed individual horses separately to make sure they receive adequate food. The weight and condition of every horse should be monitored regularly to avoid welfare problems.

Feeding should be adjusted to maintain a stable, ideal body condition score. Feeding requirements will vary depending on age, breed and exercise regime. Obesity is as serious a welfare concern as under-feeding, because it can lead to many health-related problems. You should contact your vet or equine nutritionist if you need to discuss the dietary requirements of your horse. Obesity and over-eating are major causes of laminitis. Horses that are overweight are at a high risk of developing laminitis.

Laminitis may also be associated with eating excess amounts of lush grass. Grazing may need to be restricted at certain times of the year to reduce this risk. Laminitis can also be seen in horses which are not overweight for example. Once a horse or pony has had laminitis it tends to be at an increased risk regardless of body condition and close attention should be paid to their diet.

If you have any concerns you should contact your vet. Obesity in donkeys can cause significant metabolic problems as well as those referred to above. Care should be taken to make sure that donkeys do not become overweight. A sudden change in appetite, or decrease in weight, can be a sign of ill-health and you should pay close attention to whether your horse is showing any other signs of illness. Your vet should be consulted if you have any concerns.