Pony and Horse Feed Tips
The best pony and horse feed and how to implement a proper feeding program is the topic of this page...Horses and ponies were evolved to eat grass and hay...However there are many other supplements than can be added to their diet to improve the animals overall health...or to just give them a treat...
Unlike the wild horses whose diet mainly consists of low quality grasses, tussock, shrubs and trees...unless of coarse they break into a farmers paddock...Domesticated horses can live on more nutritious grass and hay most of the year...
However each horse or pony is different, so its diet must cater for its particular needs...and the different breeds...The ideal diet must provide:
- Carbohydrates, for energy and warmth...
- Protein to build and repair its body...
- Fats for heat and energy...
- Fibre to help digestion...
- Vitamins and minerals for good health...
- Plenty of water...At least 10 gallons a day...
My Appaloosa horse mostly lived on grass during the summer time, but as it got colder, I would give her hay, chaff or grains for fibre...and if we were still riding, I would give her hard feeds and concentrates...like nut and cereals to boost her energy...
Feeding them more often...rather than over feeding, is essential...If their intestines get blocked, then indigestion and colic can occur...
Where as a non working pony or horse can remain healthy on a maintenance diet of good quality grass and hay...working ponies and horses need bulk and energy producing foods...These concentrates should be fed in proportion to how much energy they expend...
Obviously horses that are non working, or less exercised, use less energy than horses involved in heavy work like; show jumping...racing...dressage or horse treks...
Meals can be put in the stable manger or otherwise a bucket will do...and like your tack and grooming gear...keep all the feeding stuff, super clean...
Remember...horses have small stomachs and very prone to indigestion, so its important not to go riding for at least an hour after giving them their snack...
Horse Feed Tips:
- Keep a salt block handy...to replace minerals...
- Rolled oats...feed bruised...has the highest nutrional value...
- Flaked Barley...also has high nutrional value and great for boosting energy and adding condition...
- Dried sugar beet...another great source of fibre...(must be soaked)...
- Chaff...add some molasses in chopped straw for fibre...
- Coarse mix...ready made mixture as nuts...
- Bran...Great for fibre...and good to add a bit to the food mixture...makes horse eat slower...
- Flaked maize...lacks in fibre, but boosts energy and helps add weight...
- Pony nuts...balanced mixture of pony or horse food
- Treats...can feed tasty snacks like: carrots...apples...peppermints...suger cubes (not too many)...
- Never feed horses cubes, pellets and meal, made for cattle...they're specifically prepared for animals which chew the cud...
- Stick to a routine and never change your horses diet suddenly...
- Provide only good quality, sweet smelling hay...
- Foals can be fed milk powder even before being weaned...mix it in their meal...
I hope this may help with your pony or horse feed program...I'm sure there are more diet tips for our equine friends available out there...Why not share yours...
