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T O P I C R E V I E W
tamila
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 08:21:50 AM I hope this does not come over a presumptious but I am becoming increasingly concerned about the feeding of horses. I have a little knowledge in this field and am hearing more people saying that they cannot feed their horse all day as they put on weight. An equine needs to be eating basically all the time allbeit nibbling or the acid in their stomachs starts to erode the lining (ulcers). Stabled horses, especially performance ones who are under pressure most of the time, are always at risk of stomach ulcers. Those that are out grazing 24/7 have a very low incidence of ulcers. When training I was taught that horses should always have some sort of hard feed every day. I have always stuck to this and even when had mares and foals I fed them 4 times a day. My horses have lived out most of their lives 24/7.
The other thing that concerns me is the number of feeds available on the market without any information on what is in them and how to feed.
I have fed one feed for the last 23 years and my horses usually look good and feel good. Even in the summer they have 2 feeds of about 1/2lb per day. This keeps their front stomach working. In order to keep to the same effective feed I now have it brought from Belgium.
Many years ago I had a vet in Dorset who said to me that it was good to have someone (my boss) who knew all about feeding horses as vets do not and only do a very short course on this subject for all animals.
Sorry this is so long! Rant over!
5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
tamila
Posted - 06 May 2011 : 7:19:29 PM Just to add to the last post. The fact that the stomach is so small any feed going into the back gut upsets the bacteria balance and the hay is sometime not digested properly. The equine digestive system moves very fast and so it is better to feed hard feed little and often.
BeckyBoodle
Posted - 06 May 2011 : 11:30:03 AM one other thing to consider is that the horse's stomach is about the size of a rugby ball. As a safety device to protect it, it automatically empties its contents, as I understand it, when it gets to about 2/3 full. Therefore, if you feed your horse a big feed that is great in size to about 2/3 of a rugby ball, it will pass through the stomach undigested, and to an extent you are wasting your feed. You are therefore better off splitting it into two smaller feeds rather than giving in one big hit.
B
sazzlepants71
Posted - 06 May 2011 : 09:29:02 AM hi I do agree a lot of this also - I have worked on one or two yards in the past where it is normal to restrict food to the stabled horses mainly to cut costs and work - for example horses would be fed @ 7am then have 1 section of hay or be turned out with the hay (as there was never any grass) they would come in just after lunch and if they werent exercixed they would simply 'stand' until 3.30 where they had another section of hay then the owner would arrive ride etc and the horses would be fed on the dot at 4.30 (unless they were exercised) and then given 2-3 sections of hay which isnt going to last long really is it?? I am sure there are many yards where this control is exercised I dont think its natural or good for the horses welfare physically or mentally...surely this is why we experience problems with our horses (i personally dont) as I try and maintain a very natural of keeping my horses I also think its very easy to be sucked in by all the supplements and feeds on offer ...constantly chopping and changing isnt good and you have to ask yourself does your horse REALLY need all these supplements??? I am fortunate to have a good doer so my aim is to have feed that will look after the gut properly very low calories and plenty of energy as he works hard - I do believe in plenty of hay at night and they get turned out all day so are constantly nibbling! this time of year its great if you horse can live out even if its the odd days I do think it helps them relax and is great for them mentally - have too say I have always had very happy, healthy horses and a very low feed bill keeping them this way! be interested to hear of others experiences..
complete novice
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 09:07:25 AM definately NOT an expert I'm at the other end of the spectrum regarding knowledge and being someone who tends to worry did quite a lot of reading but also tried to apply common sense. All the info I could find said - under normal circumstances - a horse should never go for more than 8 hours without food but also assumed like us they wouldn't want breakfast, dinner & tea all in one meal, also did a lot of research on energy values and nutrition on the net, they like a big feed but don't need loads of calories, they are only lightly hacked so never had the problem of needing to give them more than 2 feeds a day but they also have access 24/7 to grazing. When the snow was deep they had liberal amounts of hay and also, sounds stange, straw as even now with the spring grass they will wander over to it and have a munch, very few calories, very cheap but something differant to eat, though like you I am still feeding some hard feed - only about a cupful- useful for worming etc. but only once a day. horses came through winter in good condition and happy so hopefully the balance is right, would be interested to know if anyone else has horses that eat straw when there is grass and even sometimes hay on offer
debs
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 08:42:35 AM Agree!
Had to keep Ali in due to sarcoids/flies... has very full hay net! Usually some left.
Also new studies have found that restricting horses feed by keeping them in actually makes them eat more when they are out...
Confess to not really knowing much about different feeds, Al is fed Top spec balancer, ready grass and sugar beet. Is now out 24/7. Top spec was recommended to me.
I think it is very difficult to choose as each manufacturer says theirs is the best for whatever reason.
Hard one, especially for those laminitics.
On the other hand my neighbour keeps stallion in pretty much 24/7, the rest, youngsters and mares are fed so much hard feed and spplements and haylage (!) they are obese. Has been told off by vet...
they would come in just after lunch and if they werent exercixed they would simply 'stand' until 3.30 where they had another section of hay then the owner would arrive ride etc and the horses would be fed on the dot at 4.30 (unless they were exercised) and then given 2-3 sections of hay which isnt going to last long really is it??
