| The food which we feed to horses needs to meet | | | | added, as well as sugar, fiber and filler. |
| seven fundamental requirements. Five of these are: | | | | An alternative to purchasing commercial horse feeds |
| - Energy. It needs to provide sufficient energy (calories) | | | | is to buy the grains yourself, which you can feed either |
| to meet the requirements of the horse. If the weather | | | | individually or combine to make a musli. In this case, you |
| becomes colder or the horse is used more actively, | | | | will likely need to purchase a grain crusher and put the |
| the amount of food will need to be increased | | | | grain through the crusher before feeding to horses. |
| accordingly. Likewise, as winter turns into summer or if | | | | The reason for this is that uncrushed grain is an large |
| the horse is less active, the amount of food should be | | | | part undigested by the horse since many of the grains |
| decreased. | | | | are swallowed whole (rather than chewed) and hole |
| - Minerals and Vitamins. Aside from energy, horse | | | | grains simply pass through the digestive system. Most |
| feed needs to provide a variety of essential minerals | | | | moderate-sized stables use this approach since it |
| and vitamins, in the required quantities. | | | | reduces the cost of grain feed by 50% to 75% as |
| - Bulk and High Fiber. The equine digestive system has | | | | compared to the commercial bagged feeds. Of |
| evolved to process grass, which is high in fiber and | | | | course, it takes a bit more time and consequently is |
| bulk. Food which is concentrated (e.g. grain) may | | | | less convenient than the commercial feeds, and one |
| provide the required energy and minerals, but lacks the | | | | needs to invest in the crusher (a few hundred dollars). |
| bulk which the digestive system needs, which greatly | | | | Although a bag of grain or musli appears expensive |
| increases the risk of ulcers and other diseases. Studies | | | | when compared to the same quantity of hay, grain is |
| on horses which a diet high in grain or other | | | | much higher in energy so the amount of grain required |
| concentrated foods show that 50% to 90% of these | | | | for a horse's daily energy needs is much lower than |
| horses have ulcers. | | | | the amount of hay. Consequently, depending on local |
| - Digestability. Food which is poorly digested provides | | | | prices, they can be substantially cheaper than hay. |
| limited food value and can cause serious illnesses (e.g. | | | | Many brands of musli have added sugar (e.g. in the |
| impaction colic). This is a particular problem for the | | | | form of molasses or beetroot pulp), which further |
| older horse, where dental wear reduces his ability to | | | | increases the amount of energy. |
| chew food and aging has reduced his ability to digest | | | | These products are fed to horses used for sport, not |
| certain foods. See 'Feeding Senior Horses' below for | | | | only for the quick energy which they provide, but also |
| details. In addition, horses may eat unsuitable items (e.g. | | | | because they result in a much trimmer body. Hay and |
| straw) which do provide food value but due to | | | | grass are not only bulky in themselves, but also result |
| difficulty in digestion can also result in problems. | | | | in additional bulk in terms of digestive gases and food |
| - Safety. Almost any food, given in an incorrect | | | | in various stages of digestion or elimination. |
| quantity or fashion, can result in health issues. A list of | | | | Consequently, for activities such as racing or jumping, |
| the common mistakes to avoid is provided below. | | | | the diet of competition horses is normally high in grain |
| To understand the other two fundamental | | | | or musli. |
| requirements, it helps to first understand the normal | | | | As the above discusses, the advantages of these |
| eating patterns of horses. Horses have evolved as | | | | types of feed include convenience, potential cost |
| foragers, which means that they eat for a little while in | | | | savings, and a slim torso for competition. In addition, |
| one place, then move on in search of better food (e.g. | | | | horses which are old, sick or under-nourished can |
| more tender or nutritious) and eat somewhere else. | | | | benefit from having their normal diets supplemented by |
| One often sees this behaviour when the horse is in a | | | | these high-energy foods, especially during the winter |
| large pasture, where they frequently move from place | | | | when they require additional energy to keep warm. |
| to place. The reason for this behaviour is that they | | | | Against these advantages, there are a number of |
| evolved in a landscape where the quality of food was | | | | disadvantages. These energy-dense foods do not |
| variable (as opposed to the largely uniform grassland | | | | offer the bulk, fiber or mental stimulation required by |
| which we create in our pastures) so they needed to | | | | horses. If the foods are fed as a supplement to the |
| spend most of their time moving and eating, up to 18 | | | | traditional diet of hay and straw this is not an issue. |
| hours per day. This has resulted in two dietary | | | | However, when such foods from the bulk of the |
| requirements: | | | | horse's diet, the lack of bulk and fiber can result in |
| - Continuous Feeding. Although a horse does not eat | | | | various digestive issues (ulcers are common in such |
| constantly (e.g. it spends part of its time moving about | | | | cases) and the lack of stimulation can result in stress |
| and other activities), it needs to eat frequently. It needs | | | | and the development of undesirable habits (such as |
| a minimum of 2-3 meals per day to keep its digestive | | | | cribbing or repetitive movements). |
| system healthy, but more frequent eating is preferable. | | | | One should also take note that if these high-energy |
| Many small meals are better than a few large meals. | | | | foods are fed in excess, they can lead to |
| This is one of the reasons that horses which graze on | | | | carbohydrate overload, causing the serious disease |
| pasture during the day are generally healthier than | | | | laminitis. As some horses are more prone to this than |
| horses which have their food (e.g. hay or grain) given | | | | others, due to breed type or previous medical history, |
| to them once or twice a day. | | | | you should consult with your veterinarian before |
| - Stimulation. A horse's main stimulation and occupation | | | | feeding large quantities. If your horse's current diet is |
| comes from looking for food and eating (typical | | | | already rich (e.g. spring grass) then one should take |
| forager activity). Restricting it to short and infrequent | | | | professional advice before supplementing it with any |
| feedings will result in a bored and unhappy horse, | | | | grain or musli products. |
| which is likely to develop stress related behaviours | | | | Mash |
| such as cribbing or repetitive movements. | | | | Mash is similiar to musli in that it is a high-energy food |
| Grass and Hay | | | | made from grain, although mash tends to be a higher |
| Grass is the most natural food for horses, as it is what | | | | energy food than musli. A key difference between the |
| they have evolved to eat. In general, horses will tend to | | | | two is that musli is designed to be soaked in water, |
| be healthier on a diet which consists mainly of grass | | | | where it breaks down to form a mush or soup. It is |
| than on any other type of food. | | | | often used as a supplement for old or sick horses, |
| Hay is the second most natural food, being rather | | | | especially during warm weather where it can be made |
| close to the dried grass which they might find after a | | | | with warm (not hot!) water to help rewarm chilled |
| hot and dry summer, or dried winter grass. It is less | | | | horses. A further advantage is that it contributes to the |
| nutritious than fresh grass but good quality hay is a | | | | horse's water intake (unlike dry feeds), which is a |
| useful alternative when there is not enough fresh | | | | benefit for horses which do not drink enough (a |
| grass. | | | | common problem with older horses). |
| There are a large number of poisonous weeds which | | | | Unfortunately, many horses lift their head away from |
| can be found in some pastures. Depending on the type | | | | their feeding bucket while eating, and in the case of |
| of plant eaten and the quantity, the result can be | | | | mash this can result in them dropping a fair bit on the |
| anything from minor to fatal. Some plants can also | | | | floor. Furthermore, if they toss their heads while eating |
| cause damage the skin or hooves if the horse rolls or | | | | (e.g. if startled by a noise), it tends to result in the mash |
| walks on them. Consequently, before putting your | | | | being sprayed on the walls. All such mess should be |
| horse into a pasture, a knowledgeable person should | | | | cleaned up to prevent the growth of mold or fungus. |
| check the pasture for poisonous weeds. As some | | | | Alternatively, one may wish to feed them from a |
| weeks are visible mainly in spring and others mainly in | | | | bucket outside. |
| summer, a thorough walk through the pasture at least | | | | There are advantages and disadvantages to high |
| twice a year to check for suspicious plants is | | | | energy foods; see the above discussion on grain and |
| advisable. | | | | musli for an explanation of these. |
| With hay, one faces the same issues with poisonous | | | | Feed Variations |
| plants, if the hay is made from a pasture with | | | | The above discusses the main types of horse feeds. |
| poisonous weeds. In fact, the situation with hay is | | | | Each of these types has a number of sub-types. For |
| potentially more dangerous since horses will | | | | example: |
| instinctively avoid eating many of the the poisonous | | | | - Grass. There are different types and qualities of |
| plants if encountered in a pasture, but when they are | | | | grass. Furthermore, depending on the pasture, there will |
| mixed in with hay and dried the horses are no longer | | | | be differing amounts of other herbs (e.g. clover). In |
| able to identify and avoid them since they have lost | | | | addition, the nutritional value will be affected by the |
| their distinctive smell and appearance. Consequently, | | | | makeup of the soil, as well as the amount of sun and |
| one should take special care that one uses hay only | | | | rain. Consequently, some pastures are far more |
| from a pasture which is safe or hay that is sourced | | | | nutritious than others; this is not always an advantage |
| from a trust worthy source. | | | | as overly rich pasture can cause laminitis. |
| The other major risk with grass is that grass which is | | | | - Hay. As grassland varies in nutrition, so also does the |
| overly rich in carbohydrates (e.g. spring grass) or | | | | hay which is made from it. Furthermore, hay varies |
| nitrates (e.g. fertilised field) can cause laminitis or | | | | depending on how it is made (e.g. how much it is dried, |
| founder. See the preceding link for more information on | | | | how long it is left in the field before baling) and how it is |
| how to avoid this. Excessively rich hay may have the | | | | stored (temperature, moisture, sunlight) as well as how |
| same risk, but since hay is made at a time of year | | | | long it is stored. |
| when the grass is naturally less rich, this is much less | | | | - Grain. There are many different types of grain, which |
| likely. | | | | vary in their nutritional qualities. Depending on the types |
| Another consideration is the quality of the hay. It can | | | | and ratios of the different grains you use, whether |
| contain harmful mold or fungus if it has not been | | | | directly or in the form of musli or mash, the food will |
| properly dried before being cut, or has gotten wet | | | | have different nutritional profiles. In addition, the |
| either prior to or after bailing, or has been stored in | | | | nutritional values will be affected by the addition of |
| plastic bags. Any bales which have mold or fungus | | | | non-grain additives such as: minerals, additives, fiber, |
| should be thrown out rather than used. Hay can also | | | | filler, sugar in various forms. |
| be dusty, ranging from slightly dusty to very dusty, | | | | In particular, there are many different types of musli, |
| depending on the soil and weather conditions at the | | | | which use different grain and additive mixtures to |
| time it was made, as well as the way in which it was | | | | produce feeds aimed at specific types of horses. For |
| cut/turned/baled. Very dusty hay should not be used | | | | example, one can find musli products which claim to |
| as it can cause respiratory problems in horses. Slightly | | | | use an optimum mix for: senior (old) horses, foals, |
| dusty hay is fine, except for horses which are | | | | pregnant mares, nursing mares, sport horses, show |
| sensitive to dust. One can soak hay in water to | | | | and competition (gives an attractive and shiny coat), |
| remove the dust, but in this case one needs to clean | | | | complete feeds (intended to be used as the sole food |
| out uneaten hay each day to stop the wet hay from | | | | rather than a supplement) and so on. These speciality |
| going off. An advantage of commercial feeds over | | | | foods vary in terms of the ratio of macro-nutrients (e.g. |
| hay is that in general they are unlikely to have dust, | | | | proportions of protein, fat, complex carbohydrates, |
| mold or fungus (unless they have been allowed to get | | | | simple carbohydrates), the types and amounts of |
| wet as a result of improper storage). | | | | micro-nutrients (minerals and vitamins) and the source |
| Hay Cubes or Bricks | | | | used (e.g. fiber from beet-root has different |
| Hay cubes (also known as hay bricks) is hay which | | | | characteristics than fiber from alfalfa in terms of |
| has been cut and then compressed into a brick shape. | | | | speed and ease of digestion). |
| This is a convenient way of storing hay as it uses up | | | | Unfortunately, different manufacturers have different |
| less space and can form convenient individual portions. | | | | and conflicting views on what these specific |
| It does tend to be more expensive to buy than baled | | | | requirements are. For example, senior food from one |
| hay and horses with dental issues may find it more | | | | manufacturer will use higher than normal amounts of |
| difficult to chew. There have been cases of horse | | | | sugar because it is an easily digested energy source |
| choke reported with hay bricks, but this is uncommon. | | | | for older horses with reduced digestive capability, while |
| Aside from these differences, it has much the same | | | | senior food from another manufacturer will use lower |
| advantages and disadvantages as normal baled hay | | | | than normal amounts of sugar to avoid problems of |
| (see above). | | | | Cushings disease and insulin resistance which are |
| Hay Pellets | | | | more common in older horses. Given these opposing |
| Hay pellets is effectively hay which has been ground | | | | and conflicting approaches, it can sometimes be hard |
| up, heat treated and converted to pellets. It tends to be | | | | to determine if a speciality food is actually better or |
| more expensive than hay (partly due to the additional | | | | worse for your horse. Consequently, it is advisable to |
| processing), but is also more convenient and uses up | | | | discuss with a veterinarian your individual horse's |
| about a third of the space as medium-density hay | | | | condition and requirements before deciding on which of |
| bales. As the pellets are effectively hay in another | | | | the speciality foods is most suitable for your specific |
| form, it has much the same nutritional value, except for | | | | horse. |
| those brands which add minerals or vitamins. | | | | Fruit and Vegetables |
| The pellets can be eaten quicker than hay in its | | | | Although large amounts of fruit or vegetables are not |
| unprocessed format, so provide somewhat less | | | | a natural diet for a horse, small amounts as treats are |
| occupation and stimulation than unprocessed hay. | | | | suitable. Prior to feeding, they should be cut into small |
| They also tend to break down quicker in the digestive | | | | irregular pieces, as round pieces (e.g. a small whole |
| system, so provide somewhat less value in terms of | | | | apple) can become stuck in the throat and cause |
| absorbing stomach acids and protecting against ulcers. | | | | choking. |
| A common problem with pellets is that many horses | | | | Acceptable fruits include: apples, bananas (peeled), |
| will try to swallow them without first properly chewing | | | | pears. Acceptable vegetables include: beetroot, |
| them, resulting in the horses choking. If your horse does | | | | carrots, celery, parsnips, swede and turnip. |
| this, you should soak the pellets in water for 10 minutes | | | | Do not feed onions, potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes. Do |
| or so before feeding to the horse; this causes the | | | | not feed sour fruits. Be careful of large amounts of |
| pellets to break down into a soupy mix which the | | | | sweet fruit as excessive sugar can lead to weight |
| horses cannot choke on. The advantages and | | | | gain, laminitis, or blood sugar imbalance. If a fruit or |
| disadvantages of soaking are: | | | | vegetable is not on the acceptable list, do not feed to |
| - Choke. Soaking the pellets prevents the horse from | | | | your horse without first consulting a veterinarian. |
| choking on them. | | | | Final Notes |
| - Water Intake. This is a good way to increase your | | | | You should be consistent in what you feed your horse. |
| horse's water intake, as horses do not always drink | | | | If you travel with your horse and are unsure that you |
| enough. In particular, older horses sometimes do not | | | | will be unable to get the same type of food on your |
| drink enough (although there are some illnesses which | | | | trip, try to take enough of his food to feed him until you |
| have the opposite effect) and horses being | | | | return, or make arrangements to obtain his normal |
| transported often do not drink enough. | | | | food during the time away. |
| - Winter Warming. During the winter, horses can | | | | If you need to change your horse's diet, you should do |
| become chilled (especially old, sick or shaved horses). If | | | | so gradually. Likewise, if you are getting a new horse |
| there pellets are soaked in warm water (but not hot | | | | and plan to change his diet, it is wise to obtain a |
| water!) this can help them warm up, especially as | | | | quantity of his old food so that you can gradually |
| compared to drinking cold water from an outside | | | | change him over. When changing a horse's diet, you |
| bucket or unheated drinker. | | | | should carefully watch his behaviour and activity to |
| - Mess. Unfortunately, many horses lift their head | | | | ensure that there are no adverse results (e.g. colic, |
| away from their feeding bucket while eating, and in the | | | | laminitis, food allergies). |
| case of soaked hay pellets this can result in them | | | | Determining the best diet for your horse is an |
| dropping a fair bit on the floor. Furthermore, if they toss | | | | important and serious matter, particularly if it is weak |
| their heads while eating (e.g. if startled by a noise), it | | | | (old, very young, sick, dental issues) or has a weight |
| tends to result in the hay soup being sprayed on the | | | | issue (over or under) or has a food related medical |
| walls. All such mess should be cleaned up to prevent | | | | history (colic, laminitis, allergy, insulin resistance, etc.). It is |
| the growth of mold or fungus. Alternatively, one may | | | | advisable to develop a suitable diet with a veterinarian |
| wish to feed them from a bucket outside. | | | | or equivalent professional, based on a knowledge of |
| Grain and Musli | | | | your individual horse's specific requirements and |
| Grain and musli, when purchased in the form of | | | | intended use. A diet which is as natural as possible (e.g. |
| commercial horse feeds, are high-energy foods which | | | | grass) is generally the healthiest for the horse, unless it |
| are easily digested. Musli is made from a selection of | | | | has specific requirements for other types of food. |
| crushed grains and may have minerals or vitamins | | | | |