The composition of a horse’s diet is based on the following elements: grass, fodder, concentrated feed, apples, carrots, but the living conditions of a horse and its daily activities in the service of man determine its balanced ration. What then is the balanced feed ration of a horse according to its age, size, activities and the seasons during which it evolves? Then, what is the method of feeding a horse?
The balanced feed ration of a horse
A horse’s feed ration consists primarily of structural carbohydrates such as hay, grass, and non-structural carbohydrates such as oats, barley and corn.
For a 300 kg lightly active horse or pony, the ration is 4 kg per day of meadow hay and 2 kg per day of pellets. But if he is moderately active, he is fed 4 kg of meadow hay per day and 3 kg per day of pellets. If the horse has a sustained level of activity, the pellet should be 4 kg per day.
For a 450 kg horse, the meadow hay is 5 kg per day for all 3 activity levels and the pellet is 3 kg per day for a light activity level, 3.5 kg per day for the medium activity level and 4.5 kg per day for sustained activity levels.
For a 600 kg horse, regardless of activity level, the ration is 4 kg per day of meadow hay and 2 kg per day of pellet.
How a horse is fed
In the stall, in the meadow with shelter, the horse must be provided with a tub full of water. Indeed, he drinks between 19 and 57 litres of water per day. This water must be clean and fresh. As for the daily ration, in order to ensure good digestion, it must be divided into three, four or five times a day. On the one hand, for the development of the equine animal, leave the animal in the meadow, for example in the morning to graze grass. On the other hand, to support the bone metabolism of young, growing horses, feed supplements such as cereals should be given. Feeding your horse is like giving it time to eat. It should be noted that the seeds should be evenly distributed throughout the day in three portions.
Precautions to take
Avoid feeding the horse hay with mould or dust. However, offer him feed supplements containing protein, fat, vitamins and minerals; apples, carrots, green beans, watermelon peels and celery to keep him healthy and vigorous. Horses should be fed one hour before or after a ride.