Feeding Management Techniques IMS #8895-E. Objectives Discuss the concept of group feeding for horses Discuss the concept of group feeding for horses

Feeding Management Feeding Management TechniquesTechniques

IMS #8895-EIMS #8895-E

ObjectivesObjectives

Discuss the concept of group feeding for Discuss the concept of group feeding for horseshorses

List types of feeding facilities for horsesList types of feeding facilities for horses

Explain the importance of feeding time and Explain the importance of feeding time and frequency for horsesfrequency for horses

ObjectivesObjectives

Discuss the importance of age & body Discuss the importance of age & body condition on the quantity of feed required condition on the quantity of feed required by a horseby a horse

Recognize the effects of ration changes on Recognize the effects of ration changes on horseshorses

Explain the effect of appetite and obesity Explain the effect of appetite and obesity relative to feeding horses. relative to feeding horses.

OverviewOverview

IndividualsIndividuals

Different tendenciesDifferent tendencies How they eatHow they eat

What they eatWhat they eat

How they behaveHow they behave

OverviewOverview

Small stomach & short intestineSmall stomach & short intestineSensitive to changes or inconsistenciesSensitive to changes or inconsistencies

Unable to regurgitate foodUnable to regurgitate food

Food passes quickly through digestive Food passes quickly through digestive systemsystem

OverviewOverview

Because feed does not remain long in Because feed does not remain long in digestive tract, they need diet of high digestive tract, they need diet of high quality foragesquality forages

Feeding not a simple practiceFeeding not a simple practice

Art learned through experience & study of Art learned through experience & study of basic scientific principlesbasic scientific principles

OverviewOverview

Must have knowledge of nutrient needs, Must have knowledge of nutrient needs, content, & use of feeds most commonly content, & use of feeds most commonly eateneaten

Most kept in separate stalls or paddocksMost kept in separate stalls or paddocksHair coats in excellent conditionHair coats in excellent condition

Perform well Perform well

OverviewOverview

Some digest & use nutrients better Some digest & use nutrients better

Others do not get as much out of their Others do not get as much out of their feedfeed

Each must be looked at individuallyEach must be looked at individuallyMay get too fat or too thinMay get too fat or too thin

Percentages of horse’s digestive organs by volume. Notice the stomach in comparison to other

parts of the digestive system

Feeding in GroupsFeeding in Groups

Tend to congregateTend to congregate

Social animalsSocial animals

If fed in groups, there are some basic If fed in groups, there are some basic management techniquesmanagement techniques


If fed in a single trough, provide enough spaceIf fed in a single trough, provide enough space

Group feeding works best with young horsesGroup feeding works best with young horses


As horses get older, As horses get older, they develop a they develop a pecking orderpecking order

Meaner horses will get Meaner horses will get more than more timid more than more timid horseshorses


Individual feeders may be the solution Individual feeders may be the solution

Allow distance of 50 feet between each Allow distance of 50 feet between each feederfeeder

Provide extra feeder so shy horses will Provide extra feeder so shy horses will have feeder if a bully chases him/her offhave feeder if a bully chases him/her off


Best to feed timid, finicky, or slow eating Best to feed timid, finicky, or slow eating horses separatelyhorses separately

Group feeding with foals works well as Group feeding with foals works well as long as there is enough space availablelong as there is enough space available

Feeder should not have sharp edges or Feeder should not have sharp edges or projecting pointsprojecting points


Trough should not be too wideTrough should not be too wide

Feed should be spread along entire length Feed should be spread along entire length of troughof trough

Ensure each horse gets their shareEnsure each horse gets their share

Feeding FacilitiesFeeding Facilities

Horses eat feed from a variety of waysHorses eat feed from a variety of ways

In the pasture, horses naturally eat from the In the pasture, horses naturally eat from the groundground

In the stall, feed may become contaminated with:In the stall, feed may become contaminated with:

DirtDirt ManureManure UrineUrine


Hay may be wasted as they walk around stalls Hay may be wasted as they walk around stalls & trample it& trample it

Dirty hay contains parasite eggs from manure Dirty hay contains parasite eggs from manure

Ground feeding advised againstGround feeding advised against

Unless cleaned several times a day Unless cleaned several times a day


Do not place hay feeder too highDo not place hay feeder too highHay particles & debris may fall into eyesHay particles & debris may fall into eyes

Feed troughs & hay mangers must be Feed troughs & hay mangers must be

cleaned often cleaned often

May develop colic or digestive disorders May develop colic or digestive disorders from eating spoiled grain or hayfrom eating spoiled grain or hay


Important to check for manure in water or Important to check for manure in water or feed troughfeed trough

Manure makes feed & water taste terribleManure makes feed & water taste terrible

May contain parasitesMay contain parasites

Feeding TimesFeeding Times

Horses need to eat at same time each dayHorses need to eat at same time each day Creatures of habitCreatures of habit

Greatly anticipate each feedingGreatly anticipate each feeding

Love foodLove food

Will eat enough to kill themWill eat enough to kill them


Feeding at crazy times will cause horses Feeding at crazy times will cause horses to develop bad habits such as eating too to develop bad habits such as eating too fastfastCauses digestive upsetsCauses digestive upsets

Should be fed more than once a dayShould be fed more than once a day


Since they are herbivores that evolved as Since they are herbivores that evolved as grazing animals, they are used to eating grazing animals, they are used to eating small, frequent mealssmall, frequent meals

Should be fed once in the morning & once Should be fed once in the morning & once

in the evening in the evening


If exercised a lot, should be fed three If exercised a lot, should be fed three times dailytimes daily

Working horses should be fed two hours Working horses should be fed two hours before beginning work or one hour after before beginning work or one hour after hard workhard work

Allows them to digest part of ration before Allows them to digest part of ration before work when their blood supply goes to muscles work when their blood supply goes to muscles & not stomach& not stomach


After work, give horse time to cool off After work, give horse time to cool off before eatingbefore eating

Feeding one-half grain in the morning, Feeding one-half grain in the morning, one-quarter at noon, & one-quarter at one-quarter at noon, & one-quarter at night, works well for hard-working horsesnight, works well for hard-working horses

Age and PregnancyAge and Pregnancy

After birth, it is advised to give foals After birth, it is advised to give foals opportunity to eat mixed concentrate rationopportunity to eat mixed concentrate ration

Average 14-16% crude proteinAverage 14-16% crude protein

Creep feedCreep feed

Box placed next to mare’s trough that Box placed next to mare’s trough that contains rationcontains ration


Foal’s feed box has rods spaced above Foal’s feed box has rods spaced above feed level that lets foal get its mouth in and feed level that lets foal get its mouth in and eateatMare cannotMare cannot

If several mares are kept together in a If several mares are kept together in a pasture, it is recommended to put creep pasture, it is recommended to put creep feeder with an enclosurefeeder with an enclosureOnly lets in foals to eatOnly lets in foals to eat


Foals eat creep feed Foals eat creep feed until weaneduntil weaned

Important to make Important to make sure they are able to sure they are able to get to ration following get to ration following weaningweaning


Yearlings & two-Yearlings & two-year olds should year olds should be managed as be managed as adult horsesadult horses

Needs should be Needs should be met, not exceeded met, not exceeded


Older horses have hard time chewingOlder horses have hard time chewing

Teeth may be:Teeth may be:worn downworn downGoneGoneNot floated (not filed) often enough Not floated (not filed) often enough

May become anorexic or so thin they do May become anorexic or so thin they do not have an appetitenot have an appetite


Horses should be fed high energy feed Horses should be fed high energy feed especially formulated for older horsesespecially formulated for older horses

Prefer feed that is:Prefer feed that is:Soft, Soft, PelletedPelletedPalatablePalatable

Palatable feed may be able to get horse Palatable feed may be able to get horse out of being anorexicout of being anorexic


Give plenty of time to eat & without Give plenty of time to eat & without interruptioninterruption

Require more energy to perform work so Require more energy to perform work so they need more feed per unit of body they need more feed per unit of body weightweight


Preferred that mares be in moderate to Preferred that mares be in moderate to fleshy condition when bredfleshy condition when bred

Body score of 5-7 is adequateBody score of 5-7 is adequate


Body condition score does not affect Body condition score does not affect stallion’s reproductive abilitystallion’s reproductive ability

Mares in thin condition do not show good Mares in thin condition do not show good reproductive performancereproductive performance

Cheaper to maintain in moderate to fat Cheaper to maintain in moderate to fat condition than attempting to increase condition than attempting to increase weight during breeding seasonweight during breeding season


Thin mares need more energy to gain fat Thin mares need more energy to gain fat than fleshy maresthan fleshy mares

In last trimester of pregnancy, mares eat In last trimester of pregnancy, mares eat adequate nutrients to:adequate nutrients to:

Provide enough nutrients to promote normal Provide enough nutrients to promote normal fetal developmentfetal development

Gain appropriate weight to support pregnancyGain appropriate weight to support pregnancy


Milk production requires a lot of energyMilk production requires a lot of energy

During lactation, mares will eat enough to:During lactation, mares will eat enough to:

Regain body condition lost in pregnancyRegain body condition lost in pregnancy

Meet the demands of producing milkMeet the demands of producing milk

Areas Emphasized in Body Areas Emphasized in Body Condition ScoringCondition Scoring

Ration ChangesRation Changes

When rations altered, changes should be When rations altered, changes should be made gradually over period of one weekmade gradually over period of one week

Sudden changes may cause:Sudden changes may cause:ColicColicFinicky eatingFinicky eatingLoss of conditionLoss of conditionDigestive problemsDigestive problems


Change ration by switching 25% of old Change ration by switching 25% of old ration to new ration every two daysration to new ration every two days

Move horses from hay to pasture graduallyMove horses from hay to pasture gradually

Start with 30 minutes of pasture grazing Start with 30 minutes of pasture grazing

Steadily increase to length of time on Steadily increase to length of time on pasturepasture


For horses returning home from strenuous For horses returning home from strenuous performance training, gradually decrease performance training, gradually decrease exercise & high-energy feed over period of exercise & high-energy feed over period of two weekstwo weeks

Horses may get azoturia & tie up if they Horses may get azoturia & tie up if they are brought down from exercise suddenly are brought down from exercise suddenly & fed the same amount & fed the same amount


Azoturia - Condition affecting musclesAzoturia - Condition affecting muscles

Ranging from stiffness to mild cramps to Ranging from stiffness to mild cramps to the horse being unable to standthe horse being unable to stand

Caused by carbohydrate overloading & Caused by carbohydrate overloading & vitamin deficiencyvitamin deficiency

Overweight and AppetiteOverweight and Appetite

Obesity - common form of malnutritionObesity - common form of malnutrition

Being too kind & generous with feed scoop Being too kind & generous with feed scoop and/or not exercising a horse enough and/or not exercising a horse enough contributes to obesitycontributes to obesity

Weight monitored using weighing scale or Weight monitored using weighing scale or weight tape weight tape


Estimating by sight is not accurate Estimating by sight is not accurate

Weight tapes are within 5% of the actual Weight tapes are within 5% of the actual weight weight

Not as expensive as weighing scalesNot as expensive as weighing scales


Place around barrel or girth of relaxed Place around barrel or girth of relaxed horsehorse

Tape should not be twisted & should be Tape should not be twisted & should be snugsnug


Tape accuracy dependent on:Tape accuracy dependent on:UserUserBreedBreedAge of horseAge of horse

Not accurate on:Not accurate on:Miniature horsesMiniature horsesFoalsFoalsHigh withered horsesHigh withered horses


Body score condition is one way to make sure Body score condition is one way to make sure horses are “fat enough” but not too fathorses are “fat enough” but not too fat


Thinness in horses cause by:Thinness in horses cause by:Poor quality feedPoor quality feed Inadequate feedInadequate feed Internal parasitesInternal parasitesPoor teethPoor teethMilk productionMilk productionPregnancyPregnancyExcessive workExcessive work


Dental problems lead to improper chewing & Dental problems lead to improper chewing & digestive problemsdigestive problems

Teeth should be regularly checked for unusual Teeth should be regularly checked for unusual wear, tear, & broken teethwear, tear, & broken teeth

With good management, conditions may be With good management, conditions may be correctedcorrected

Problem must be diagnosed & correctedProblem must be diagnosed & corrected


May develop a May develop a metabolic disordermetabolic disorderAny one of the abnormalities in normal body Any one of the abnormalities in normal body

functions that is of a biochemical origin functions that is of a biochemical origin relating to metabolic functions of the bodyrelating to metabolic functions of the body

Many horse owners feed by volumeMany horse owners feed by volume

Should feed by weightShould feed by weight


Scoop full of oats weighs Scoop full of oats weighs much less than a scoop full much less than a scoop full of cornof corn

If gelding eats a scoop full If gelding eats a scoop full of corn, he’ll get 2 to 3 of corn, he’ll get 2 to 3 times more energy than he times more energy than he will with a similar scoop of will with a similar scoop of oatsoats


Make adjustments in weight so that horse does Make adjustments in weight so that horse does not get excess energynot get excess energy

Would cause him to get fat or cause tying upWould cause him to get fat or cause tying up

Overweight and AppetiteOverweight and AppetiteRecommended Daily Feed Intake by Horses (values

are percentages of body weight)State of HorseState of Horse ForageForage GrainGrain TotalTotal

Mature (idle)Mature (idle) 1.5-2.01.5-2.0 0.0-0.50.0-0.5 1.5-2.01.5-2.0

Late Gestation Late Gestation (mare)(mare)

1.0-1.51.0-1.5 0.5-1.00.5-1.0 1.5-2.01.5-2.0

Lactation (mare)Lactation (mare) 1.0-2.01.0-2.0 1.0-2.01.0-2.0 2.0-3.02.0-3.0

Working (lt., med., Working (lt., med., hard)hard)

0.8-2.00.8-2.0 0.5-2.00.5-2.0 1.5-3.01.5-3.0

Growing Growing (weanling)(weanling)

0.5-1.00.5-1.0 1.5-3.01.5-3.0 2.0-3.62.0-3.6

Growing (yearling)Growing (yearling) 1.0-1.51.0-1.5 1.0-2.01.0-2.0 2.0-3.02.0-3.0


For example For example 1,000 pound mare that is lactating would 1,000 pound mare that is lactating would

get:get:

10-20 pounds of forage10-20 pounds of forage

10-20 pounds of grain10-20 pounds of grain

Total of 20-40 pounds of feedTotal of 20-40 pounds of feed


The following is a sample showing how to The following is a sample showing how to proportion quantities of hay & grain fed to proportion quantities of hay & grain fed to horses according to weights & whether horses according to weights & whether they are idle or performing light, medium, they are idle or performing light, medium, or heavy workor heavy work


Recommended Proportions of Hay and Grain Recommended Proportions of Hay and Grain for a 1,100-lb Horse (values are in pounds)for a 1,100-lb Horse (values are in pounds)

1,100-pound horse1,100-pound horse HayHay GrainGrain

IdleIdle 2020 00

Light Work (1-2 hrs/day)Light Work (1-2 hrs/day) 1.51.5 55

Medium Work (3-5 hrs/day)Medium Work (3-5 hrs/day) 1414 1313

Hard Work (5+ hrs/day)Hard Work (5+ hrs/day) 1313 1515


Charts serve as general guidesCharts serve as general guides

Horse owners must Horse owners must Estimate how much feed to provideEstimate how much feed to provide

To evaluate body conditionTo evaluate body condition

To make necessary adjustments in feedingTo make necessary adjustments in feeding

Other FactorsOther Factors

Regularly examine horse manure to look Regularly examine horse manure to look for changes in: for changes in: ConsistencyConsistencyOdorOdorColorColorCompositionComposition

May indicate a disorderMay indicate a disorder


When closely confined, When closely confined, may crave unnatural feedsmay crave unnatural feeds

If fed pelleted or cubed If fed pelleted or cubed rations with no hay, they rations with no hay, they may decide to:may decide to:

Chew woodChew wood Eat hairEat hair Eat Dirt Eat Dirt


Foals have more of a tendency to chew Foals have more of a tendency to chew the tails of their mothers or eat manure the tails of their mothers or eat manure than older horsesthan older horses

Foals can easily get internal parasites Foals can easily get internal parasites from eating eggs found in manurefrom eating eggs found in manure


Internal parasites:Internal parasites:Lower digestive efficienciesLower digestive efficienciesCause digestive disturbancesCause digestive disturbances

ColicColicDiarrheaDiarrhea

External parasites need to be controlledExternal parasites need to be controlled

Use a lot of energy to fight them offUse a lot of energy to fight them off

SummarySummary

Some horses digest & use nutrients better Some horses digest & use nutrients better than othersthan others

Others do not get as much out of their Others do not get as much out of their feedfeed

Each must be looked at individuallyEach must be looked at individuallyMay get too fat or too thinMay get too fat or too thin

SummarySummary Tend to congregateTend to congregate

Social animalsSocial animals

If fed in groups, there If fed in groups, there are basic management are basic management techniquestechniques

Will eat feed from a Will eat feed from a variety of waysvariety of ways

SummarySummary

In the pasture, horses naturally eat from In the pasture, horses naturally eat from the groundthe ground

In the stall, the feed may become In the stall, the feed may become contaminated with: contaminated with: DirtDirtManureManureUrineUrine

SummarySummary

Keep stalls, feed troughs, & water clean to Keep stalls, feed troughs, & water clean to prevent horse from developing digestive prevent horse from developing digestive disordersdisorders

Horses should be fed at the same time two Horses should be fed at the same time two to three times daily depending on amount to three times daily depending on amount of exercise or workof exercise or work

SummarySummary

Special considerations and observations Special considerations and observations should be made of:should be made of:FoalsFoalsPregnantPregnantNursingNursingOlder horsesOlder horses

Rations changed graduallyRations changed graduallyToo abruptly will cause harm Too abruptly will cause harm

SummarySummary

Horse owners must:Horse owners must:

Estimate how much feed to provideEstimate how much feed to provide

Evaluate body conditionEvaluate body condition

Make necessary adjustments in their feeding Make necessary adjustments in their feeding to prevent malnutritionto prevent malnutrition

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Documents

Feeding Management Techniques IMS #8895-E. Objectives Discuss the concept of group feeding for horses Discuss the concept of group feeding for horses