Five Things I’ve Learned About Feed Management
Yesterday, while bagging out the weeks feed for my little herd I got to thinking about lessons I’ve learned when it comes to feeding my horses. Note, any opinions towards feed brands I mention are based on my experiences and horses. Not every feed is suitable for every horse and all feeding choices should be made off your own research.
1. Always know what your horses are being fed and why
Ration bags for the herd. Each horse has an individual labeled bag listing their name and which meal it is for.
When I bought Cupid she was being fed Nutrena Proforce Fuel, as was every horse in that barn. I dutifully fed her what the trainer required and the amount on the board. The horse I had at that time was spooky, prone to “blowing up”, and difficult to get to focus. Once when getting her from her paddock she spooked and took off around the property for a good 10 minutes. There had been nothing out of the ordinary and nothing to cause her to spook, just a pony running around for the sake of running.
After I moved her to a new location I was suddenly given several different Seminole Brand feeds to choose from. Being encouraged to pick what I wanted her to be fed opened my eyes to the importance of knowing your feed. I was able to select a feed that worked for Cupid nutritionally, Seminole Perform Safe, and once she was more nutritionally balanced, I discovered that I actually had an extremely solid horse.
Now that we’re on our own I spend a significant amount of my free time researching the different brands of horse feed and balancing nutrition rations to ensure my horses all receive what they need. Each horse has a customized feed plan, utilizing Triple Crown Feed products, to their own needs and each horse has truly blossomed health-wise. Chance receives a ration balancer with some senior feed, along with supplements, to ensure that he maintains weight without gaining too much as he does not have strenuous work. Foxy a ration balancer with a bit of senior feed and her supplements to help her maintain her weight. Cupid receives a ration balancer, with supplements, because she’s an air plant despite being in the most work out of the three. Knowing that each horse is receiving the best feed for their own needs is a truly satisfying feeling.
2. Research your feed
Feed storage neatly labeled and kept clean.
Along the same train of thought as the last point, I highly recommend that all horse owners research their feed on their own. Not only will you know exactly what your horse is being fed but you’ll be able to balance their feed as necessary. Several elements that I look for in feed are low iron content, high copper and zinc content, and the balance of omega 3 vs. omega 6. It is also extremely important to me for feed companies to be as transparent as possible. My ideal feed company will list the full nutritional value of each feed and not hide elements such as Magnesium, Potassium, or Vitamin levels.
Feed companies should also be reputable and accessible. If I am unable to find information out online or through local resources then I contact the feed company directly. A feed company that is not transparent and does not respond to customer inquiries is honestly a company that I do not wish to deal with. For a quick reference, I have put together a comparison sheet of various feeds. As I continue my research I will update this chart to reflect more feeds brands and types. If you have any questions or wish to see any additional feeds added just let me know!
3. Feed by weight, not scoop
Feed scale to assist with accurately measuring out portions.
The biggest thing that has made a difference to my feeding program is feeding by weight not by the scoop. For around $10 I was able to purchase a nice little food scale from Amazon and for $1 I purchased a measuring cup that fits nicely on the scale to weigh feed. Once a week I weigh out the weekly rations and package them in individual containers labeled with the name of the horse, and mealtime. While weighing feed does take a bit longer than simply scooping it has helped me create a solid feeding plan that covers all the nutritional needs of each horse.
If weighing feed seems intimidating then reach out to your feed companies to inquire about any cups or scoops they might have specifically made for their feeds. Triple Crown has cups that are designed specifically for their feeds and marked with weight increments. When I checked the markings against my scale I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was accurate!
4. Don’t be afraid to cut the feed amount
Triple Crown’s Feed Measuring Cup accurately reflects feed weight and helps me in preparing the ration bags.
When Cupid started gaining excessive weight I was reluctant to cut her feed. It felt mean and I was afraid she would not be nutritionally balanced anymore. After some research, I determined how to adjust her feed to better suit her calorie needs and maintain a solid nutrition balance. Since getting over my guilt Cupid has gone from a fat butterball to a solid weight in much better condition.
Since the initial feed decrease, I have been more comfortable adjusting feed rations as needed. When Chance appeared to pack on the pounds overnight I calmly decreased his senior feed levels and added the ration balancer to keep his nutrition profile in check. Taking charge of feed rations has allowed my horses to keep consistent weight despite increases or decreases in their activity levels and has helped reduce my feed costs as there is no longer excess feed being provided to the horses.
5. Always start with a quality hay base
One of the high quality hay bales I keep in the pasture for the herd to snack on during the day.
You can feed the best grain in the world but without quality hay or forage base that grain is insufficient. Horses are designed to have some sort of sustenance in their bellies at all times. Keeping quality hay in front of my horses at all times has greatly decreased boredom behaviors such as cribbing or pawing, and greatly increased their conditions. My feed costs have also been greatly reduced due to needing to feed less to meet nutritional requirements.
I utilize pastures during the day with flakes of hay or round bales depending on the season. At night the horses are all provided with hay bags containing a balanced hay ration based on their individual sizes and needs. It should be noted that each horse should be fed enough hay and pasture for their own individual needs as opposed to all horses receiving full access.
Hopefully, some of these lessons help you on your horse ownership journey! Happy feeding!