How to Feed a Stabled Horse

Know how to properly feed your horse and she'll maintain her lustrous coat and confident canter. When caring for your animal - be it an Arabian or a Tennessee walker - nothing is more important than maintaining your horse's good health through proper nutrition.

Things You'll Need

  • Livestock Salt And Minerals
  • Sweet Feeds
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what type of hay your horse needs. Grass or timothy hay is a good place to start, and most horses do extremely well with only high-quality grass hay for forage. If your horse has trouble holding good body condition, seems to need more energy, is a young, growing animal or is in heavy work, you might want to consider adding a flake or two of alfalfa to your feeding program.

    • 2

      Know the approximate weight of your horse. Horses requre 2 lbs. of hay for every 100 lbs. of body weight - more if your horse is extremely active.

    • 3

      Feed your horse three times a day rather than just once. Multiple feedings mimic the grazing nature of your horse's natural digestive state, and frequent feedings can also eliminate boredom for stalled animals.

    • 4

      Supplement your feeding program with one of the many grains, sweet feeds, and combination mixes available at your feed store if your horse has additional nutritional needs.

    • 5

      Provide an unlimited supply of clean, cool drinking water for your horse at all times. Buckets and automatic waterers work well for stalls, and large troughs should be provided in turnout areas.

    • 6

      Free choice minerals - especially salt blocks - are essential for your horse's health. Keep salt and mineral blocks in stalls, or in turnout areas where rain can't reach it.