Can You Feed Your Horse After Lunging it?

Horses need regular exercise to remain happy and engaged, but you may not be able to ride every day. On days when you cannot ride, lunging provides a good alternative. It allows the horse to blow off steam and do some work. But when you do lunge your horse, you need to cool him down carefully before giving any feed or water.

  1. Lunging for Exercise

    • Many horse owners lunge their horses as a form of exercise, or as a way to take the edge off their mount before they ride. Lunging can also be a good training tool for colts and fillies who are still too young to ride. When your horse lunges, he expends energy and can easily become overheated during the session. It is important to check the horse carefully before putting him away. If the horse is overheated, you must walk him cool before putting him away, and certainly before providing any food or water.

    Risk of Colic

    • One of the biggest risks of feeding a horse immediately after riding or lunging is the risk of colic. When a horse eats or drinks while still hot from exercise, she can experience intestinal discomfort. In extreme cases, that pain can lead to a twisted gut and an emergency situation. If you accidentally feed or water your horse after lunging, you should watch her carefully for signs of colic, including lying down, thrashing and walking in circles. If you suspect colic, you should put in an emergency call to your vet right away.

    Check Your Horse

    • You should never feed or water your horse immediately after lunging due to the risk of colic and other serious complications. If the horse was only lunged lightly, you may only need to wait 15-30 minutes before feeding. But if he really worked up a lather, you may need to wait an hour or more. If the horse is visibly lathered or sweating, you need to walk him until he is cooled off. Even if no sweat is visible, you should not feed or water your horse until his chest feels cool to the touch.

    Ride Your Horse Cool

    • You do not necessarily need to walk your horse on a lead line to cool her off, although it can be good exercise and a good training opportunity. If you prefer, you can ride the horse cool by walking him around the arena or pasture. Ride your horse bareback and keep a slow pace to maximize cooling and minimize the time you need to wait until you can give the animal his daily meal.