Horses need to be fed according to a carefully planned schedule that takes into consideration their age, physical condition, type of work, and the nutritional quality of their feed. With the help of this comprehensive guide to feeding horses, you will learn the best practices for maintaining your horse’s health and well-being. Factors Influencing the…
Horses typically start to eat hay when they are around two to three months old, once their teeth have begun to come in. This crucial development stage marks their transition from a milk-based diet to a solid diet consisting of hay and other forms of forage. This transition period is critical for the proper growth…
Feeding treats to ponies is a common practice among owners and enthusiasts. However, it’s important to understand the proper methods of doing so to ensure the animal’s health and well-being. Some ponies can develop a habit of aggressively seeking treats, leading to issues such as nipping or biting. Considerations When Selecting Pony Treats There are…
Horses obtain protein primarily from the plants and grasses they consume, with different varieties providing varying levels and concentrations of protein. The protein content in horse’s diets also comes from supplemental sources such as hay, legumes, and commercially prepared feeds. The Role of Protein in a Horse’s Diet Protein is a vital dietary requirement for…
Horses predominantly drink water from natural sources like ponds, streams, and rivers, or from artificial sources such as troughs, buckets, and automatic waterers in managed environments like farms and stables. In fact, water is the most essential nutrient in a horse’s diet, as it accounts for approximately 65-70% of a horse’s body weight. Horses can…
On average, a horse eats 1.5-3% of their body weight in hay each day, with this figure fluctuating based on a multitude of factors. Factors Determining Hay Consumption Age, Size, and Breed Horses’ age, size, and breed significantly influence the amount of aliments they consume. For instance, an older horse may require more nutrients, and…
Horses primarily eat forage, such as grasses and hay, which makes up the vast majority of their diet. In addition to forage, horse diets can include grains, fruits, vegetables, and supplements. In this article, we will expand on the various types of food horses consume, the nutritional requirements of a horse’s diet, and how their…
Good Grass Needs Good Care Grass is not just a plant we often overlook, but a vital crop that requires meticulous care—especially if being used for horse grazing. Ensuring multiple paddocks for rotational grazing and appropriate upkeep methods can significantly enhance the quality and utility of this crop. Understanding the Ideal Grazing Environment When keeping…
All About Pasturing Horses Healthy pasturing is an essential key to your horse’s well-being. The quantity and regularity of time they spend grazing hinge on a myriad of conditions. Winter Grazing for Active Horses Some active horses, for instance Eventers and Polo Ponies, earn a reprieve during the colder months after vigorous work carried out…
Feeding is an essential part of horse care that doesn’t follow an absolute, ‘one-size-fits-all’ method. While feeding charts and guides are valuable, they serve better as general outlines rather than strict rulebooks. As caretakers, this simply means we need to accommodate unique factors that are specific to each horse. These include age, breed, temperament, routine…
