What should I feed my horse?

Question

Okay well we've always fed my horse a 50/50 mixture of Sweet Feed and Oats. We do it once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Well my horse has been sweating a lot lately and my dad thinks its because of the sweet feed so he took my horse off of it and now my horse is being fed straight crimped oats. I didn't really think this was the best thing to feed him, so I was wondering what should replace the sweet feed.

My horse is basically a pasture pony, and is only taken out for rides maybe once a week. However, he is slightly thin, just a little bit ribby but not bad. He's been wormed and doesn't have mouth problems so basically we just need a feed that will put weight on him. Sense we don't ride constantly he doesn't have a lot of muscle and it would be nice to add some on his chest and hind end. I was just wondering what can we feed that will add muscle and fat, but keep him from being hot headed, and physically hot. Oh and please list stuff you can buy at Atwoods.

Answer 1

well if you want to develop muscle you need to work him, LOTS AND LOTS of hill work. But also to add fat you need to have a grain that has more fat than protien, like you want to get something that has like 10% fat, and 10% protein. But i would feed a mixture of oats and rice bran, or you could always go with beet-pulp. MAKE SURE TO SOAK THE BEET PULP

Answer 2

I think Bran is good for fattening a horse up but i am not positive. You might want to clarify with people before using mey answer though

Answer 3

Sweet feed will make them hot and hyper, and if you aren't riding him often, he doesn't need sweet feed.  I have my show horses, that I ride every day on just straight oats, and they look fabulous.  Increase his hay a little, and find a fat supplement, or add a little bit of vegetable oil to his oats to increase his calories.  Its a slow burning calories as opposed to the carbs in the sweet feed, so won't make him hyper.

Answer 4

I suggest a general all-purpose feed such as Omelene 100 or similar. These feeds are designed by the manufacturers to meet a horse's nutritional needs for fiber, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. With one of these feeds, you don't have to add supplements unless you are having a specific problem or issue. There are directions on the bag for how much to feed - usually expressed as X pounds per day of feed per Y pounds of body weight.

While oats is not bad for horses, I don't think its a compete feed by itself as is doesn't have any of the vitamins or minerals.

I know that when horses digest their food, there is a certain amount of heat given off by the fermentation process in their gut. I'm not sure whether oats or sweet feed would be worse in this regard. My guess is that sweet feed would be worse as it is more calorie dense.

An general purpose food fed according to label directions is probably your best bet for a horse in light work like yours. Its also very easy to feed with very little guesswork.

Answer 5

i would also say beet pulp.

Answer 6

Simple. Go to your local feed store, and tell them you want the best feed they have.  Much cheaper in the long run!  Home remadies e.t.c. cost you more in the long run.  Plus, high end feeds have all you need i it.  Remember, when it comes to feed, wormers, fly spray e.t.c., you get what you pay for!

Answer 7

Well, oats make them a little hot headed too (ever heard the saying "feelin' his oats" makes sense)I would feed him Senior feed...it puts weight on and it is overall an excellent feed :) weingt older horse and my friends horse that has stomch issues (and was thin after being VERY sickfor two months) Oh, and corn oil helps too (found in grocery stores) here is senior feed...

http://www.hoic.com/feed/equinemerit_sen...

most Merit feed is good :D

Oh, and food won't put muscle on them, but if they are a good weight they can be worked harder/longer than a "ribby" horse and therefore will gane muscle xD

Answer 8

I would recommend that you go to Omolene University. They have courses that explain the horse digestive system. This will help you understand the needs of your horse. The courses are free and can be completed in an afternoon. When you complete the courses they will send you discount coupons for Purina feed.

You don't say what kind of hay you are feeding your horse. I doubt the feed would cause the sweating in your horse unless it is associated with colic. Neither feed you are using is bad and a lot of people feed their horses the same. I would say the sweating is from some other reason. Excersize and a good feed program is what will put weight on your horse. I am not sure if Atwoods carries Purina products, but what you learn from Omolene University can help you in choosing the right feed.

Sorry, i forgot to put in the link

http://www.omoleneuniversity.com/

Answer 9

i would keep him of the sweet feed keep the oats but up the hay