A Horses Feed Mix Needs To Be Supplemented

I had wanted a horse for quite a while. I had
five acres for him to graze and figured that all
I would need after that would be water. I
couldn't have been more wrong! When it comes to
feeding horses, there was a lot that I did not
know about my horse and his food.

Hay/Alfalfa

To begin with, a pasture for grazing your horse
may not be enough. If you live in a place with
even mild winters, at some point there will not
be enough grass growing on the ground. Your
horse will need hay, but not just any kind of
hay. The hay needs to be horse quality (not cow
quality) and should come from someone reputable
that can attest to its quality and nutrients.
Some horses can get picky and only eat alfalfa,
which is considered a "hot food," meaning that
it is packed with more nutrients and proteins
and you don't want to feed too much at one time.

Grain

If you choose to keep your horse in a stall
with no or limited pasture, you will also need
to feed it grain. Grain contains many key
nutrients that are found in grass and hay that
your horse will still need. The biggest and most
important nutrient is protein. Feed stores will
sell various types of feed based on the protein
content. Fat is also another key ingredient that
will vary depending on which feed you buy. The
age, gender and activity level of your horse
will depend on what type of grain you will need.
Below is a list of guidelines to help you
consider the best fit for your horse.

**High Protein (16-18%) or higher:

- Mares in Foal

- Mares nursing foals

- Young horses

- Horses that perform (example: racehorses or
show horses)

**Lower Protein/Higher Fat

- Horses needing to gain weight

- Older horses

** Balanced Feed (12-14% protein and normal
fat)

- Horses with a normal activity level

- Horses in the prime of their lives

- Horses that need to maintain their weight

There are many manufacturers of horse feed and
each one adds different horse supplements and
other nutrients in their grain. Do your research
before picking the feed that is right for your
horse. A good feed will also help maintain your
horse's skin, hair and hooves. Cheaper or lower
cost feed will need to be supplemented with
these additional vitamins and minerals. You are
better off getting a quality feed so your
horse's health will not suffer.

Mineral Blocks

Many owners will also choose to give their
horse a mineral block for them to lick at their
leisure. These blocks will give the minerals and
nutrients your horse may miss and crave in their
diet. The best way to tell if this is happening
is if your horse begins to strip and chew off
tree bark. Feeding Your Horse Treats

Most horses enjoy a good treat, and just like
humans, it is ok to give one every now and then.
Give too many treats and you will have a fat
horse. You can buy horse "cookies" at a horse
feed store, or you can feed carrots or apples.

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Dodson and Horrell was used as a resource to this
article. Nutritional information provided on
their site has been used as reference
http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com

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