What to Feed Your Horse
Feeding your horse the correct type of food is essential to having a healthy horse, and avoiding some common nutritional problems which could eventually necessitate a claim on your horse insurance. Getting to grips with what to feed your horse may seem complicated at first because different horses require different types of food. Some horses may have vitamin deficiencies or other special needs. This means that they will have a different diet than what you might feed your other horses.
A horse has a very delicate digestive system and improper feeding could lead to serious problems such as colic. A horse cannot regurgitate so once they swallow something there is no way out. If a horse takes in something harmful a lot of damage can be done.
Horses were designed to eat grass and to take in a little food at a time all day long. Horses are large animals but their stomachs are only about the size of a football. They do not cope well with big meals. Hay or grass should always be made available. Concentrated foods should be given in several small meals a day. You should set a routine and avoid dishing up large amounts of food in one meal followed by a long period of no food. Your horse will be healthier and happier if it is fed frequently and at regular mealtimes.
Water is essential for digestion and should be available at all times. A horse s digestive system cannot work properly without a constant supply of fiber. Fiber is food like grass, hay, or chaff. Make sure you give your horse plenty of hay and high fibre feeds like chaff. This is especially true if your horse is stabled a lot.
If you need to make alterations in the amount or kind of food you feed your horse do it gradually so their system can adjust. Also try to feed your horse the best quality food. It is wise to clean your horse s feed and water bucket regularly, daily if possible.
Just remember that when you are planning a horse s diet consider all aspects, including their size, build, age, workload and even the weather, as these can all make a difference to your horse's nutritional needs. Every horse has their own requirements when it comes to what to feed them.
As the UK's fastest growing independant ethical insurance company, AFI have been dedicating all net profits to the welfare of animals around the world for many years now. We are proud to have added horse insurance to our product list. For an insurance quote on your horse, pony or donkey call our dedicated horse insurance team on 0844 57 32 100.
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