Feeding a Horse

1. Monitor Your Horse’s Body Condition

Every horse is different. Some horses will gain weight over the winter from working less, while other horses will shed a few pounds keeping warm in the cold. Before thinking of changing up your horse’s feeding regimen in the spring, first evaluate his body condition. With the help of your veterinarian or a knowledgeable equine professional, determine if your horse is too skinny, too fat or carrying just the right amount of weight.
To monitor your horse’s weight without using a scale, you can utilize the body condition scoring method, which helps you estimate the amount of fat on your horse’s body. Once you have estimated the level of fat cover, you will be able to more accurately determine whether you should increase or decrease your horse’s caloric intake.
It is important to note that each horse will require a different body condition score that is dependent on a number of factors, including age, level of work, breed, current or past injuries, etc.

2. Don’t Forget About
Concentrates

Many horses are fed grain or pelleted feed every day. Throughout winter, some horses need extra concentrates to maintain their ideal body weight, while other horses have their feed reduced, due to inactivity. Adjusting the type and amount of concentrates or grain your horse consumes should be done slowly and carefully. A horse’s internal digestive system is built for slow changes. Monitor his level of work and body condition. If your horse’s work level is increased, he might need more grain. Conversely, if his work level remains the same, and he is able to safely consume spring grasses, then your horse might need fewer concentrates.
Whatever adjustments are made, make sure your horse still receives the appropriate level of essential nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Achieving this may require a change in the feed product being used. Horses requiring additional calories could be bumped up to a higher-calorie performance horse feed, while those needing fewer calories could go down to a ration balancer.

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3. Horses Eat a Lot of Forage

It is no secret that horses eat a lot of forage. However, what most people don’t know is that a horse’s forage is only as good as the fiber that it contains. Pastures often lay dormant during winter, which can reduce a horse’s natural intake of grass forage. As a result, many equestrians feed their horses extra forage via hay or beet pulp. This feeding tactic can be great for the cold months, but it should be reevaluated in spring. When spring arrives, most pasture paddocks will be filled with new grasses rich in sugar. Monitor your horse’s body condition score as he begins to graze on the rich, green grasses. Horses that gorge themselves on spring grasses may encounter some serious health issues.

For example, overweight horses or those with Cushing’s disease, insulin resistance or laminitis will need to be carefully monitored. High sugar and starch levels of spring grass can aggravate the latter conditions. In these instances, reduced turnout time or a grazing muzzle can help limit pasture intake for certain at-risk horses.

4). Lots of Fresh Water

Horses need to have access to plenty of fresh water 24 hours a day. Warmer temperatures and an increase in body sweat can result in dehydration. Make sure that your horse has access to water after a workout. You can also add electrolyte supplements to your horse’s feed. These supplements can help replenish essential nutrients during particularly warm or hot weather. Of course, consult your veterinarian if you have further questions.