Horse Nutrition

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jackie Cochran on November 21, 2011 at 1:45pm

A horse doing only moderate exercise should be able to survive on good grass hay, pasture, and salt, and with some hays and pastures it may be a good idea to use trace mineral salt.

Grain is safest for horses who WORK.  When my horse lived on good pasture I only fed him enough grain to replace the calories he used for his work (a pound or two of sweet feed).

Still, with what I've read about metabolic disorder it may be a good idea to limit the pasture and concentrate on feeding good grass hay. 

The site http://www.naturalhorseworld.com has a good bit of information about this.  At least you should come up with some good ideas.

Two equines, a POA pony gelding and a Paso Fino mare, that I had at one time survived with light exercise on about 12 pounds of medium quality fescue hay a day, maybe three to six small handsful of grain, and salt.  Fat, sassy and the Paso Fino mare was always ready to go, go, go!  The only reason I fed them any grain at all is that I was feeding loose salt and needed something to put the salt in.  When it got cold and windy I would add a few pounds of grass hay and a handful or more of extra grain, corn on the really cold nights.  I fed the rest of my horses more but they were less feed efficient than these two.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cathy Gourlay on November 22, 2011 at 9:41am

Thanks, Jackie,

Love the website;  very useful;  your advice helps a lot;  I have a Morgan mare, as well, who gets no grain at all and has a grazing muzzle, as well, and she is in very good condition;  I think the Tennessee Walker will be similar, so I think I will give her free choice hay, maybe some minerals and salt.

• ▶ Reply