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Discussion on Hay
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Member:
Horse4u
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 - 7:59 pm:
My horse weighs about 850 pounds. She gets less than 2 pounds a day of Triple Crown Lite mixed with hoof supplement, minerals and a grass forage mixture. I figure she needs about 20 pounds of hay a day. If the average trash hay is 30%, should I be giving her close to 30 pounds a day if there is no grass available? Does the percentage of forage needed increase with the decline of the temperature? If so, how much? She is an easy keeper and I would prefer not to give her any more grain than I need to. I used to give her only about a pound a day mixed with forage, but the quality of hay has been poor lately.
Many thanks!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 9:16 am:
The question is if she is an easy keeper why give any grain at all? The specific answer to your questions depend on dozens of variables that we do not have access too. However how to evaluate these variables to easily and properly feed your horse are all discussed in Care for Horses » Nutrition » Equine Nutrition an Overview of Feeding Horses and concerning caring for horses in the cold follow the link in the article to wintertime care of horses.
DrO
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Member:
Horse4u
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 12:19 pm:
I did read the article on forage and winter care. I was wondering if I was calculating the amount of hay correctly without any other factors such as temperature. The reason I am giving her some grain is because where we board they all get grain and it keeps her away from the others. She gets more now, because the quality of the hay is poor and she doesn't get enough IMO. We boarders do not always get what we want for our horses.
It is field board, but right now there isn't any grass.
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Member:
Boomer
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 12:34 pm:
I just started boarding three of my horses. First time, I have had them at my property but it's nearly 400 miles away so for the winter I bring them closer to me. Anyway, we boarders put a feeding schedule including how much on our stable wall. I feed and bring in the horses on weekends (keeps boarding costs down for the owner so everyone has chores) and as far as I can see everyone follows the feeding schedule as it reads. It's a great way to go, make it very clear how much you want your horse fed. I know boarding is so different that having them on your own. I'm still getting used to it..
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