Horse Q&A: Amount and Type of Feed. One of the most common questions horse owners ask is, “Am I feeding enough of the right type of feed?” Proper nutrition is key to your horse’s health. Getting the amount right can be tricky. You might be surprised to learn that you could be underfeeding your horse without even realizing it.
Since most people feed by the “scoop” rather than by weight, it is often easy to overestimate the amount of feed you are providing. Different feeds have different densities. Meaning a scoop of one feed can weigh significantly more or less than a scoop of another. Weighing out your feed will help. This simple step removes the guesswork and ensures accuracy.
Additionally, be sure to consult the feeding directions on the back of the bag. Most feeds are formulated in such a way that a minimum feeding rate is required to provide for the nutrient and calorie requirements of a particular weight, lifestage and lifestyle.
Here’s a practical example:
- You feed your 1,000 lb. horse in light work one scoop of Strategy twice a day, but he is losing weight.
- You weigh the scoop and find it only holds one pound. You have been feeding a total of 2 lbs. per day.
- The bag recommends a minimum of 3-4 lbs. per day for a horse of that size and activity level.
- So even though you thought you were providing an adequate amount of feed, it turns out that based on weight, you weren’t and you need to increase the volume fed.
Stop by Steinhauser’s with questions about your horse’s diet. Our team can help you find the right feed and calculate the correct amount for your horse’s needs.