Pasture Horses

Horses are designed to graze constantly.  In their natural state this is what they would do.

Many horse owners worry about feeding the right amount for their horse.  The only concern the horse has is that feed is available.

If your horse is stabled, then you most probably have it down pat by now.  Feeding them at the very least once in the morning and at night with hay in between for lunch. However, more small feeds are better for his digestive system.

So, if you are turning your horse out, you might feel a tad guilty about just letting them graze pasture. After all, everyone you know is feeding grain, chaff and hay.  You need to work out if your horse needs the grain or pellets, or is it because it makes you feel better.  Is it because they are a bit down in condition or perhaps you just want to give a boost to an ageing horse.  Supplemental feeding can be given once a day in a small feed and not cause any problems.  However, because concentrates are exactly that, you need to feed small quantities at a time.   

Feeding Hay

How is he going to manage without his feed?  Pretty well actually.  He is getting all the nutrients he can source from the pasture.  Now not all pasture has the right amount of minerals.  If the pasture has been "supered" with super phosphate, then yes, it does give a very nice green flush after it has been spread.  However, super locks up a lot of the minerals over time and for this reason, you might need to make sure your horse has what he needs.

Grazing horses don't develop colic or some of the other problems associated with stabling and the occasional large feedings of grain.   Horses are designed to graze and in their natural state, I doubt if they found any oat or barley paddocks.  Hay is much better for them.

Even if your horse is out grazing, when you call him, he will be more than happy to come in to have a small snack.  Our stallion comes running up each morning for his treat.  To be honest, as it is only a handful of pellets with a dipper of lucerne chaff, you would wonder why he would come at all.

Feeding horses small amounts through the day are fine. After all, it is a supplement and not their main diet. By bringing them in you get to check them over for any scratches or problems.  Also, it gets him used to coming when you call.  If you need to add minerals or something else to his feed, then it is easy for you to do so. However, if you are going to add things to the feed, he will need to be separated from the others, so the right horse is getting the right feed!

Don't try to feed him out in the paddock unless the other horses in the paddock are yours as well  and you can organise for them all to have their feed with an extra one or two feeds for the greedy guts.  This will only work if everyone is getting the same feed. So, if you are feeding concentrates, then they all need to have it or if it is hay, then everyone needs a biscuit. 

Horses in paddocks with hay on tap like in a hay feeder, have the best of both worlds.  They have the pasture and can source the hay at their leisure. Thus ensuring that they are getting the right amount for their weight and size.