EQUINE NUTRITION DO'S AND DON'T

DO maximize forage in the diet before adding any grain.

DO feed by weight and not volume.

DO feed hay in a feeder to minimize wastage, which could be up to 50% if hay is fed on the ground.

DO pay attention to pecking order when feeding in a group setting so that a bully doesn’t get the bulk of the food, leaving a submissive horse with almost nothing.
If group-feeding in a pasture setting, DO arrange feed buckets in a circle at least 30 feet apart to give each horse space.

DO put out an extra bucket of grain if feeding a group of four or more so the submissive horse can move to another bucket if needed. The same is true for hay feeders.

DO make changes to a horse’s diet slowly, over a one- to two-week period.
DO feed grain based on current activity level and adjust as activity levels change.

DO feed on a set schedule so as not to upset the horse’s GI tract.

DO feed grain mixes formulated especially for horses. Feeds labeled for horse consumption must be balanced to meet the minimum nutritional requirements for the type of horse listed on the label.


DON’T feed more than 11 pounds of grain per day, or 4-5 pounds of grain per feeding, or the horse’s colic risk increases sixfold.

DON’T worry about too much protein making a horse hot. Only 10% of the horse’s energy comes from protein, so it is a very insignificant source.


DON’T feed supplements unless they are needed.
DO read supplement labels to make sure too much of one nutrient isn’t causing a toxicity in the horse’s diet.

DON’T feed grain just to feed grain. A good-quality forage will meet the dietary needs of most horses that are not in serious work.

Reference

thehorse.com