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The Horse Feed Year
Spring (March 20 – June 21)
Things you do:
- Decide what to feed your horse for the active season ahead. If coming off winter layoff feed for activity – light work, medium work or intense work.
- If your horse will be stabled make sure you have a good supply of consistent hay. Have hay tested.
- Have your horse’s diet analyzed by having a ration analysis done.
Things you don’t do:
- When taking your horse off of winter layoff don’t increase the level of work to sharply; this will show up in below par performance.
- When working your horse make sure you don’t cut the hay back to far; keep grain to hay ratio is accurate.
- Don’t allow your horse too much spring grass as this can cause colic and laminitis.
Summer (June 22 – September 22)
Things you do:
- Watch out for changes in temperament, condition etc, and adjust feed accordingly.
- Monitor the quality of your grazing. Supplement poor pasture with more hay if necessary.
- Start looking for winter hay supply. Make sure it is good quality. Have it tested.
- Have your horse’s diet analyzed by having a ration analysis done.
Things you don’t do:
- Don’t forget electrolytes when working and traveling.
- Don’t forget to make sure there are no poisonous plants in pasture.
Autumn (September 23 – December 21)
Things you do:
- Look out for fall flush of grass growth that may cause laminitis, colic or a change in behavior.
- Grass growth slows down and its nutritional worth deteriorates from October – add extra hay to your horse’s diet.
- Have your horse’s blanket on hand for those chilly nights.
- Have your horse’s diet analyzed by having a ration analysis done.
Things you don’t do:
- Don’t make sudden changes in your horse’s diet, such as adding large amounts of grain all at once to the ration if your horse has lost condition.
- Don’t feed poor quality hay.
- Don’t forget to worm your horse.
Winter (December 22 – March 20)
Things to do:
- Feed according to your horse’s life stage.
- Feed good quality hay.
- Increase hay when temperature gets colder. Your horse needs more calories to keep warm.
- Have your horse’s diet analyzed by having a ration analysis done.
- Make sure you have a good winter blanket handy for those freezing temperatures.
- Keep an eye on your horse’s weight. Make sure he’s not losing condition. Especially with the older horses.
Things you don’t do:
- Don’t forget electrolytes when working or traveling.
- Don’t forget to check water supply often in case it freezes.
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