Hay consumption from a feed bunk or from a feeder placed above the horse’s shoulder increases material getting into their eyes and dust inhalation while eating, which in turn increases the risk and occurrence of respiratory problems such as coughing, emphysema, heaves, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and probably susceptibility to infectious respiratory diseases. For these and the reasons described above, it is recommended that all harvested forage be fed from hay racks designed to catch falling leaves and loose hay (Fig. 8–1 A and B), and that they not be higher than the horse’s shoulder level.
GRAIN FEEDING
Grain Necessity
No grain or concentrates are needed by many horses all or the majority of the time. Grain or grain mixes are fed:
Although horses may be gradually adapted to a diet consisting entirely of cereal grain, the greater the proportion of grain in the diet, the greater the risk of diarrhea, colic, acute laminitis or founder, exertion myopathy, hyperactivity, and obesity. For these reasons it is recommended that a grain or concentrate mix not make up over one-half of the total amount of feed of similar moisture content consumed, except for horses less than 1 year of age or those being used intensely for sprint-type activity in which up to 70% grain mix may be fed (Appendix Table 1). However, even for these horses, a maximum of 50% grain mix in the diet is safer. This would be a maximum of 0.7 lbs/100 lbs body wt (0.7 kg/100 kg) daily.
Methods of Feeding Grain
Grain and forages are generally fed at the same time. Because cereal grains are more palatable, most horses will eat all of the grain before eating any of the forage. Some believe that feeding grain after most of the forage has been consumed is beneficial because it will result in a slower rate of grain consumption. This doesn’t appear to occur, however. The rate of grain consumption, as well as chewing behavior, also appears to be unaffected by the fiber content of the grain.
In addition, forage consumed with grain decreases the amount of the grain’s starch digested in the small intestine and, therefore, increases the amount that reaches the cecum (Fig. 1–1). Excess starch in the cecum causes cecal acidosis, which if sufficiently severe results in diarrhea, colic or founder. The risk of this is decreased by not feeding forage for one hour or more before and for 3 or more hours after feeding grain. However, this risk can be better minimized in most feeding programs by feeding less grain. Not feeding forage and grain at the same time, increases feeding time and labor, and may not be practical in some situations. In addition, grain consumption before forage, as occurs when both are fed at the same time, results in a more intense mixing of ingesta and less variation in the concentration of substances in the horse’s large intestine.
Grains, like harvested forages, should be fed in a feeder to decrease feed losses and dirt consumption, which, if sufficient over time, may result in sand-induced colic, and/ or, intestinal impaction. Wooden, plastic, or rubber feeding pans may be used for nonstabled horses (Fig. 8–2) or feed bags may be used (Fig. 8–3A, B). To prevent injury, metal feed pans are not recommended. Lipped feeding pans, and troughs with rings mounted on top, will help prevent horses from rooting grain out on the ground if this is a problem with a particular horse. This is not a problem with most horses unless they are being overfed.
Many people feed by volume, i.e., by so many coffee cans, scoops, quarts or liters of grain, and by flakes of hay. There is no disadvantage in feeding by volume provided it is known what weight of feed that volume provides. The weight of feed per unit of volume, or density, varies widely, as shown in Appendix Table 8. For example, a 1 qt, 1 lb. or 1 liter (1-L) coffee can holds 0.5 lbs (0.25 kg) of bran, 0.85 to 1 lb (0.4 kg) of oats, and 1.9 lbs (0.9 kg) of wheat, which provide 0.75, 1.1, and 2.9 Mcal respectively, or nearly a fourfold difference in the amount of dietary energy provided by the same volume of feed. The small standard-size square bale may weigh anywhere from 35 to 120 lbs (16 to 55 kg), although it usually weighs 60 to 80 lbs (27 to 36 kg). A flake of it may weigh anywhere from a few to 15 lbs (1.5 to 7 kg). Thus, to determine the correct amount to feed, you should weigh the amount that the container you are using holds of the grain mix being fed, and the average size flake of the hay being fed (Fig. 8–4A, B).
Fig. 8–2. Nonstabled horses may be fed grain in wooden, plastic, or rubber feeding pans. Metal pans are not recommended as they may cause injuries.
Fig. 8–3(A, B). Feed bags work well for feeding horses in a group. Each horse is assured of receiving the correct amount of the specific grain mix fed without any being wasted. Care should be taken to ensure that the feeding bags are removed as soon as the horse finishes eating the grain.
FEEDING FREQUENCY
Horses have relatively small stomachs (Fig. 1–1) whose capacity constitutes only about 7 to 8% of that of their gastrointestinal tract, as compared to 60 to 70% for cattle.
Fig. 8–4(A,B). The correct weight of feed should be fed. To do this, weigh the amount that the container being used to feed with holds of the grain mix being fed. Any type of container may be used, such as a coffee can (A) or an ice cream bucket. A grain scoop can also be made by cutting the bottom out of a plastic jug (B).
This limits the amount that can be eaten in a single meal. A small stomach is an advantage for enhancing wild horses’ ability to flee from danger, and has no disadvantage for them since they are on pasture and able to eat small amounts continually. Horses on pasture spend 50 to 70% of their time, 24 hrs/day, grazing, during which small amounts of grass are ingested continually during the grazing periods. Regardless of the type of feed (hay, grain, or a complete pelleted feed), if it is available, most horses will eat hourly during the day and every 2 to 3 hours during the night. However, even when the feed is always available, the amount of time spent eating decreases from 50 to 70% when on pasture, to 30 to 70% when fed only hay, to 35 to 40% when fed a complete pelleted feed, and to 13 to 19% when fed a grain mix only. The decreased amount of time spent eating means more feed is consumed at one time. The amount consumed at one time is even greater when feed is not always available, as is the case and necessity for most horses not on pasture.
The greater the amount consumed at one time, the greater the stomachs distention, increase in gastrointestinal motility, and alteration it causes in the horse. However, horses can safely be fed even a high-grain diet as infrequently as twice daily when the total amount of feed is no more than the amount needed for maintenance, which would be up to 0.8 to 0.9 lb of grain/100 lbs body weight (0.8 to 0.9 kg/100 Kg) daily. However, for safety a maximum of one-half this amount of grain at a single feeding is recommended.
To prevent digestive dysfunctions (excessive gas production, colic, laminitis, and impaired fiber fermentation) grain intake in the horse fed 2 to 3 meals daily should be limited to about 0.5 lb of grain/100 lbs body weight (0.5 kg/100 kg) per feeding. When grain ingestion exceed these amounts, there is a dramatic increase in the amount of starch that escapes digestion and absorption from the small intestine, which greatly increases the risk of these problems.
Infrequent meal-induced changes in intestinal motility and blood flow increase the risk and occurrence of colic, a disease primarily of stabled or paddocked horses. This major disease of horses is uncommon in those on pasture. Since these changes, which increase the risk of colic, do not occur in response to small amounts consumed frequently, their occurrence and, therefore, the risk and occurrence of colic in horses not on pasture, can be decreased by: (1) having any forage, but preferably long-stem hay, available for the horse to eat to satiation and for as much of the time as possible; (2) feeding as frequently, at as regular, and at as even intervals as practical; and (3) feeding as little grain as necessary. Long-stem hay or pasture forage should be the basis for all feeding programs, and grain should be fed only if necessary and in as small amounts as possible. This doesn’t mean that grain shouldn’t be fed if desired or needed, but that forage should constitute the majority of the feed consumed. Two exceptions would be for the horse with poor teeth that may do better on a complete pelleted feed and/or more grain, and when good-quality forage is poorly available or considerably more expensive than grain (see Example 6 in Chapter 7).
In summary, it is recommended that all feeds be fed to all horses: (1) in equally divided amounts, (2) as near the same time each day and at as even intervals as practical, and (3) at least twice daily, but as many more times daily as practical. If the amount of grain fed is small (less than 0.25 lb/100 lbs bw daily) there may be little advantage in feeding it more than once daily. Feed working horses, lactating mares, and growing horses receiving large amounts of feed (an amount equal to more than 2.5% of their body weight daily) at least 3 times daily. It may be of benefit to feed grain to horses in intense training or use 4 to 5 hours prior to exercise, and not to feed them for at least one hour after strenuous exertion (see Chapter 11).
MONITORING HORSES’ NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH STATUS
Regardless of the types of horses or what or how they are fed, their nutritional and health status should be observed at least once and preferably twice daily. Each horse should be observed individually for injuries, attitude, and feeding behavior, including appetite, eagerness to eat, and rate and amount eaten or not eaten. A sore tongue or mouth, or bad teeth are common causes of decreased feed intake. Moldy or contaminated feed may cause a sudden decrease in feed intake. Any uneaten feed should be closely evaluated to determine if there is a problem with it, if too much was fed, if there is inadequate water, or if there is something wrong with the horse. Boredom may also be a cause of decreased feed intake, in which case exercise, a change in diet, or providing the companionship of another animal may be helpful. Decreased eagerness to eat, amount eaten, or attitude are frequently the first effects of, and, therefore, indications of, illness. The presence, source, and cause for any abnormal feces should also be determined. The horse showing any deviation from normal should be examined thoroughly. This includes taking a rectal temperature of any horse whose appetite, feed consumption, or attitude appear decreased. Rectal temperatures more than 1°F (0.5°C) outside the normal range of 99 to 101°F (37.3 to 38.3°C) should be evaluated further and treated accordingly.
To ensure that the proper amount of feed is being fed and consumed, the horse’s body weight should be monitored at least every few months. The horse’s weight can be obtained as described in that section in Chapter 6. If necessary, the amount fed should be altered accordingly. This is the best and only accurate way to ensure that the proper amount is being consumed, and that the horse is at the body condition desired for optimum physical performance, show performance, growth rate, reproduction, and comfort during both hot and cold seasons. Many horses are either overfed or underfed. Chronic gradual weight gain or loss may not be readily apparent to a person who observes the horse daily until the change becomes severe. Obtaining all horses’ weights periodically prevents this from occurring.
Horses, like other athletes, have optimal performance weights. Weight loss may occur as a result of inadequate dietary energy for the work being performed, or from dehydration. In either case, weight records are helpful in detecting weight loss so that it can be corrected. It has been shown that horses have an optimal weight for physical performance and for maximum breeding efficiency. Most horses in most situations should be kept in moderate to moderately fleshy condition as described in Table 1–4.
Excess fat is usually a result of overfeeding rarely is it due to a hormonal problem. Factors that result in overfeeding include:
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