Can Miniature Horses Have Free Choice Hay?

Equines – whether mini or full-size – were not designed to thrive on a high-calorie, nutrient-deficient diet comprised of meals or concentrates. By providing appropriate free-choice forage, you will have a healthier, more content herd.

What type of hay is best for miniature horses?

Look for a fine, soft, leafy hay rather than a coarse, mature hay. Feed at least one-third to one-half of a flake of a good quality grass or alfalfa- grass mixed hay twice a day. Flakes of hay can vary greatly by thickness; a normal flake should be 1½ to 2 inches thick.

Is free choice hay good for horses?

Horses naturally self-limit intake when ample supplies of food are present. High fiber, low sugar and calorie hay can safely be fed to most horses free choice.

What should I feed my mini horse?

Horses, minis and ponies need at least 1-1.5 pounds of hay or pasture (on dry matter basis) per 100 pounds of body weight every day. For example: a 300-pound miniature horse needs at least 3-4.5 pounds of hay per day or 9-13.5 pounds of pasture (fresh grass is much higher in water content) per day.

Can you feed horses free choice alfalfa?

In the case of mature horses, free-choice alfalfa hay will certainly provide enough protein to satisfy requirements. As a practical recommendation, select alfalfa hays which do not contain extremely high levels of protein (greater than 17% crude protein).

What is the disadvantage of free choice feeding?

Unfortunately, “easy for owners” and “good for pets” are frequently at odds with one another. Dogs that are free fed are at a high risk for becoming overweight. Who among us hasn’t snacked when we’re bored, even if we’re not all that hungry? Dogs will do the same thing.

What hay is toxic to horses?

Endophytes present in tall fescue and ryegrass produce mycotoxins that are toxic to equines. Endophyte-infected fescue hay can cause reproductive problems resulting in dystocia (foaling difficulties) and poor milk production.

What hay should horses not eat?

Types of Hay for Horses—What to Avoid

• Perennial ryegrass and rye.
• Dallisgrass.
• Argentine bahiagrass.
• Johnsongrass, Sorghum grasses/Sudangrass.
• Switchgrass, which causes photosensitivity, peeling skin, mouth ulcers and liver disease.
• Foxtail Millet (aka German Millet) and Meadow foxtail.

Can a horse overeat hay?

Horses should have access to good quality hay at all times, but it is possible for a horse to eat too much hay. If your horse, donkey or mule is bored or greedy he may eat whatever is available until it is gone. Equines can founder on too much grass or hay.

What is the difference between choice and free choice?

Free choice is the liberty to decide whether or not you wish to do something. However, someone defined the possible choices for you, or set the context of the choice. You could choose not to make any choice, but that is still a constraint placed upon you. Free will has no such constraints.

How do you transition from free feeding to scheduled feeding?

If you want to move from free feeding to scheduled feeding:

1. Look up the appropriate daily amount to feed your pet (either on the packaging or on the company’s website)
2. Divide this amount by two. Offer one portion in the morning and one in the evening.
3. When it’s mealtime, keep the food bowl down for 15-20 minutes.

What is the most digestible hay for horses?

Timothy hay is a popular choice because of its easy digestibility and may be more suitable for certain life stages. However, alfalfa hay has a higher calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which makes it unsuitable for younger horses. Timothy hay has a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

What are 3 things horses should not eat?

Here are eight foods you should never feed your horse:

• Chocolate. ©russellstreet/Flickr CC.
• Persimmons.
• Avocado.
• Lawn clippings.
• Pitted fruits.
• Bread.
• Potatoes and other nightshades.
• Yogurt or other milk products.

What hay is lowest in sugar?

What is this? In addition Timothy hay is higher in fiber and lower in sugar and calories than most other types of horse hay, making it a great choice for overweight horses. Timothy hay is also higher in calcium, which is essential for horse health.

When should you stop demand feeding?

At around 6 months old, when babies typically begin solids, a more consistent feeding schedule often develops. Sometimes these schedules mimic parents eating schedules or daycare schedules but just as often they don’t, so be prepared to meet baby’s schedule rather than have him meet yours.

When can you stop feeding every 3 hours?

Bottle-fed babies
Newborn: every 2 to 3 hours. At 2 months: every 3 to 4 hours. At 4 to 6 months: every 4 to 5 hours. At 6+ months: every 4 to 5 hours.

Is it better to feed on demand or schedule?

WATCH YOUR BABY, NOT THE CLOCK.
On-demand feeding is absolutely the *best* way to feed your baby in the early days, weeks, and months.

How much grain should I feed my mini horse?

Because of their extremely efficient metabolism, Miniatures do not need a lot of grain. Many Miniature owners, who measure feed by the cup or half-cup, would agree that a full-grown Mini’s grain ration should not exceed 1 pound per day, and as little as half a pound per day is often adequate.

Can miniature horses eat sweet feed?

Feeding a mini is very inexpensive since they eat about 2 – 4 measuring cups of sweet feed a day until they are mature, about three years of age. A 50# bag of top quality sweet feed is approx. $11.00 and that would last at least, 50 days. The daily cost for sweet feed is $ 0.22.

Is alfalfa good for miniature horses?

Alfalfa hay is too energy-dense for most Miniature Horses; grass hay is a better choice, fed at the rate of about 1.5% of their body weight in hay daily. Some Miniature Horses are used for driving, breeding, or showing in hand, and these animals may have higher caloric demands than their idle cousins.

What should I feed my horse everyday?

Roughage/Forage Roughage, found in hay or grass, is the bulk of the horse’s food. Grass or alfalfa hay, or a combination of the two, are good sources of roughage. Grass hay is generally higher in fiber and dry matter than alfalfa, but alfalfa may be higher in protein, energy, vitamins and calcium.