Feeding Horses--A General Overview

When you own a horse it is very essential that you have enough knowledge on how to give proper horse care--proper horse grooming, proper feeding, and proper horse training--so that you will become successful horse raiser. You should remember some fundamentals of horse raising.

There are almost as many opinions on the proper horse care as there are different kinds of horses. Much of the "correct" kind of feeding will depend on what kind of work, if any, your horse does on a usual basis. Here is a general overview on how to feed your horses properly.

The most essential thing is to see to it that your horse has clean, fresh water readily available at all times. Horses surprisingly need more water in the cold months of winter than in the warmer months of the year. There are lots of ways to make sure that your horse gets a fresh supply of water at all times of the year. One of the easiest method to do this is to make use of poly stock tanks. You can buy these at most farm stores for a reasonable price.

You have to see to it that you buy a tank and hoses that are rated for feeding. Some hoses contain ingredients that make them not suitable for carrying water for animal or human consumption. Check the label carefully so that you can make it sure you are buying the right ones. Water hoses come in many different sizes and lengths and some even come in collapsible form, which works well for those colder climates where water will freeze inside the hose in overnight temperatures.

Here are some other simple guidelines on feeding horses. First, ensure that you have a trace mineral block and an iodized salt block for your horse. These give the important vitamins and minerals your horse needs on a regular basis. Your horse will lick or chew the block, as they need these vitamins and minerals. These blocks can be bought at most feed stores and most farm-related stores as well.

Feeding your horse may vary from the other depending on your horse's individual needs, so make sure to contact your vet if you have any questions. Every horse is different and the correct feeding schedule will depend on activity level, age, geographic location and various other catalysts.

One feeding problem that is becoming more and more common is over-feeding an idle horse. This usually happens when a horse eats more than he can burn off during exercise will do more harm to him than good. How can you tell if your horse has gained weight that is too much? Here is a good rule of thumb: you should ideally be able to run your fingers along the horse's rib cage with light pressure and be able to feel the horse's ribs. If you find that you have to lean into the horse and press down your fingers to make heavy pressure, there is a good chance that your horse may be overweight. Overweight horses usually suffer from extra stress on their hearts with the extra fat, which makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the horse's body. Please see to it that you consult your vet if you think your horse may be overweight.