Running Free - A Wild Horse Tale

First Horse - Module 1

Module 1 - Horse Care (Diet, Water, Shelter)

What do horses eat?

The main portion of a horse's diet is grass from pasture or hay. Hay is cut, dried, and baled grass. This mainstay in the horse's diet is also called forage. Forage is extremely important to the horse. This is where they receive the bulk of their nutrition and protein required to maintain a healthy horse. Many horse diets are also supplemented with different types of grain, mineral supplements, vitamins, roots (e.g., carrots) and fruits (e.g., apples).

Feeding Objectives:

1. To maintain a healthy immune system so as to ward off disease and illness, and reduce the severity and longevity of any disease or illness; thus, increasing a rapid recovery.
2. To produce a healthy athlete in which physical condition is compatible with the work required of the horse.
3. To feed a diet that is well balanced to avoid any stress which could result in a behavioral problem.

Feeding Goals:

1. Balance of diet and exercise. Too much food and too little exercise will stress the system and result in breakdowns. Too little food and too much exercise will also stress the system and result in breakdowns.
2. Feed small amounts and often. The best choice is pasture or continuous access to forage (e.g. 24/7).
3. Maintain a ratio between forage and grains. Forage must make up between one half and two thirds of the diet to ensure proper function of the digestive system.
4. Continuous access to clean water.

Water

The old saying with horses is: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Well, this is very true. However, it is extremely important to always have fresh, clean water available to your horse. Even in the winter time, horses still need water. Many companies offer types of water heaters for large water troughs, and even heated water buckets. Taking the chill out of water in the winter time will encourage your horse that much more to drink.

Shelter

Shelter is another necessity for your horse. It can be the grandest stall in the largest barn, or it can be a simple lean-to/shed. A lean-to is a structure with three sides and a cover, the fourth side is open to allow the horse access. The back of the lean-to typically faces the direction the wind blows and storms roll in. The importance of shelter is to allow your horse to escape the elements when they turn nasty.