Fibre plays 3 very important roles in the diet of horses. These are: Fibre provides a source of energy/calories for horses. What does fibre do to horses? Fibre sources such as hay, haylage and grass are vital for a healthy digestive system and should always form the majority of the Read more…
Horses are one of the most muscular animals on Earth, but what’s amazing is that they don’t eat meat – they only eat grass. So how do horses get so muscular and strong eating nothing but grass? Horses get all the protein they need for muscle growth and strength from Read more…
Grains provide starch and are a great energy source for working horses, however there are numerous considerations regarding how they are fed. What can I feed my horse to give more energy? Fibre and oil provide slow release energy whereas sugars and starch provide quick release energy. For lazy horses Read more…
Basic Nutrients. When feeding horses, it is important to recognize that there are six basic nutrient categories that must be met: carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Often, feed companies will balance the first five nutrients for us; however, it is critical not to forget about water. What are Read more…
They have a sweet tooth just like we do! Some of the most common snacks are apples, carrots, peppermints and sugar cubes. And just as we have to watch what we snack on, all horses must be given treats in moderation and with guidelines. Do horses actually like sugar? Sugar Read more…
Some fruits – such as apples and apricots – have pits or seeds which contain cyanide compounds, which are toxic in extremely large quantities. Large pits can cause choke, so it’s best to remove them before offering your horse fruit such as peaches or nectarines. Are apples poisonous to horses? Read more…
Electric eels can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length. Despite their appearance, electric eels aren’t actually eels at all! They are more closely related to carp and catfish. The shock of an electric eel has been known to knock a horse off its feet. What is the Read more…
Hay and other roughages provide nutrients and satiety for your horse. On average, a horse must consume about two percent of dry matter of its bodyweight per day (A 1000 lb horse will need to consume 20 lbs of feed on a dry matter basis). Why do horses eat so Read more…
Lignin fiber is completely non-digestible in the digestive system of horses. If horses eat a large volume of straw, this lignin fiber accumulates in the digestive system and it can plug (impact) the digestive system. This results in severe colic and even death if not properly treated. Why does my Read more…
Hay and other roughages provide nutrients and satiety for your horse. On average, a horse must consume about two percent of dry matter of its bodyweight per day (A 1000 lb horse will need to consume 20 lbs of feed on a dry matter basis). What nutrients do horses get Read more…