Question about Hay?

Question

How much should a 1,000lb horse recieve in hay per day?

I know there is some kind of ratio I just forgot ...lol...does anyone know?

Answer 1

This is from Alliance Nutrition:

Grass Hay

Good-quality grass hay is the single feed with the best balance of protein, energy, and fiber for horses. Choose grass hays that are bright green in color, free of dust and mold, and cut in early stages of development. Allow horses between 1.5 and 3% of body weight (about 15 to 30 pounds) of good-quality grass hay per day.

By nature, a horse is a grazer. Its digestive system is geared for utilizing forages—pasture and hay. Attempts to turn horses into grain guzzlers usually backfire. Yet, some circumstances, such as performance or racing, require a horse to consume large quantities of energy from grains, fats, and/or grain by-products. The reason these feeds are needed is because they provide more energy per pound than forage, and horses hard at work need more energy than they can obtain from forages alone. But, even horses that require high-energy diets need forage. All horses need some forage in their diet (at least 1% to 1.5% of body weight daily) to keep their digestive tracts functioning normally.

Answer 2

The ratio is 2% of their body weight per day so a 1000lb horse requires at least 20lbs per day. That amount is the minimum required to keep their hindgut functioning, not enough fiber and it can down.

Some horses do good on that minimum amount others need more, depends on the horse.

Also another worry with feeding not enough roughage is the risk of ulcers. Horse produce mass amounts of saliva (something like 10 gallons per day), this large amounts opf saliva goes to the stomach and neutralizes stomach acid, too much of which leads to stomach ulcers.

I personally try to keep small amounts in front of them at all times, that way they usually have some going through them all the time.  Usually give hay 5 times daily and grain is split into 3 meals.

Answer 3

Well, depending on the horse probably between 15 and 25 pounds per day.

Answer 4

I would say about 2 flakes in the morning and 3 at night. But, 1000lb is kinda underweight. Hay is important, but the horse really needs its grain.

Answer 5

my horse gets 3 flakes of hay and 1 cup of pellets twice a day. Also my horse is in the field about 7 hours a day free to graze as he pleases.

hope this helps...Please best answer!