What do I need to feed my horse?

[RacehorsesRock]

Yeah we have had that problem with our chickens and ducks. XD Ya can't just have one.....

People don't understand lols.//

 

[OkieChickenGal]

In the winter I give my two horses Donnie's Sweet Feed and hay, and in the spring they eat grass and a little bit of sweet feed.

 

[ShrekDawg]

So is it possible to feed just hay and minerals? I wanted to do that if I ever get horses and I know people do for goats and some other animals but it seems like everyone feeds horses grains

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So is it possible to feed just hay and minerals? I wanted to do that if I ever get horses and I know people do for goats and some other animals but it seems like everyone feeds horses grains

I never fed my horses grain except as a treat. Grain can cause all kinds of digestive upsets and isn't a normal diet for a horse. There are instances when horses need grain. Generally those that are used a lot, or worked, and pregnant and nursing mares. Your regular old hobby riding horse is better off without grain unless it can't maintain it's weight.

 

[Susan12]

Feeding depends on the horse,easy keepers stay fat on grass.others need grain .

 

[ShrekDawg]

I never fed my horses grain except as a treat. Grain can cause all kinds of digestive upsets and isn't a normal diet for a horse. There are instances when horses need grain. Generally those that are used a lot, or worked, and pregnant and nursing mares. Your regular old hobby riding horse is better off without grain unless it can't maintain it's weight.

That makes sense. Why do so many feed it? Balanced nutrients?

Feeding depends on the horse,easy keepers stay fat on grass.others need grain .

Thanks for the info.

 

[ShrekDawg]

And what would one need for trailriding and/or ringwork

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

And what would one need for trailriding and/or ringwork

It really depends on the horse, and the quality of pasture and hay. Mine never worked hard or long. Performance horses are managed differently and suffer more health problems in general from all of it. I don't like "hot" horses, and preferred more leisurely horses.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It really depends on the horse, and the quality of pasture and hay. Mine never worked hard or long. Performance horses are managed differently and suffer more health problems in general from all of it. I don't like "hot" horses, and preferred more leisurely horses.

That makes a lot of sense! I wouldn't show or anything I don't think and might not even necessarily do "ring work" so to speak sincs I don't have one (unless I built one) but I guess I meant like walk, trot, occasional lope/canter, and/or fun in saddle exercises or groundwork exercises or whatever. Nothing too serious though and definitely not competition. I think I prefer more leisurely horses too. But even those I can have issues with and not sure trail riding is for me. Bad anxiety and constantly think the horse is misbehaving.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That makes a lot of sense! I wouldn't show or anything I don't think and might not even necessarily do "ring work" so to speak sincs I don't have one (unless I built one) but I guess I meant like walk, trot, occasional lope/canter, and/or fun in saddle exercises or groundwork exercises or whatever. Nothing too serious though and definitely not competition. I think I prefer more leisurely horses too. But even those I can have issues with and not sure trail riding is for me. Bad anxiety and constantly think the horse is misbehaving.

I don't ride anymore, and I no longer have a horse. In hindsight it was a dangerous pursuit at times. Horses can be very dangerous if you don't watch it and know what you are doing. These days I'm smart enough to be scared of them, but I don't move so fast anymore.