What to feed my new horse?

Question

Just a note, this is a new horse, but it's not my first. Just thought I'd clarify.

I bought a 12 year old Appaloosa/Morgan cross gelding last Saturday.

He is 16 hands and weighs 994 lbs.

The guy told me he would give me whatever feed he had left but with all the excitement of getting the horse on the trailer and what not, we both forgot. Well, he's out of town until 08/22. Meanwhile, my new horse is on pasture only. He is ridden 3 times a week for 1-2 hours each time. I was thinking of Purina's Equine Adult. I was also thinking (since I'm unsure of what he was fed previously) of starting out with only feeding him a half a scoop at night, half scoop in the morning for the first week or so and then building up to one scoop in the morning, etc etc.

What do you all think?

Answer 1

Hey Qwynne,

My mares were on pasture 24/7 (a very poor, very small pasture) when I got them and very underweight. Your idea of 1/2 scoop and hay twice a day and gradually working your way up to a full scoop is exactly what we did and as it was directed by my vet but we worked our way to 2 scoops but that was to put on weight not just maintain.

The first 3 days was 1/2 scoop and 2 flakes twice a day, then 3/4 scoop for 3 days and so on. Every 3 days we added 1/4th scoop. He also told me to add 1/8th cup corn oil and 1/16th cup Karo syrup once a day for digestive tract and to help with their hides.

Have had them for 8 weeks and they are doing great. I've never had a problem out of them.

Answer 2

if you want to feed him grain give him a little at a time and add a little more ecah day until you have gotten to the amount you wnat. also if he is out on pasture alot i wouldnt worry about feeding him grain if he is getting enough grass inj the pasture, if you dont think teh grass is taht great of quality give him a few flakes of hay as well.

Answer 3

be careful try to find out what he was being fed change in diet should be gradual

Answer 4

16 hands and 990 lbs.  Sounds like he is a little on the thin side.  Some horses are difficult to keep weight on.  May need his teeth floated.  If he is on pasture 24/7 and you are only riding 3 days a week for 1- 2 hours I personally don't think you need to supplement at all.  That is assuming the pasture is good quality.  Just make sure there is a mineral/salt block and plenty of fresh water available.  You may want to add a little grain to see about getting some weight on him, but he will probably take care of that himself with free feed in the pasture.  If you get into a situation where you are working him a lot more say more than four hours or highly intense work outs such as training for speed events on a daily basis, then you would certainly want to supplement with  grain.  I personally will feed rolled oat and barley mix.  Just get it at the local feed store, it is less expensive than the packaged stuff.

Answer 5

horse like dry Grass

Answer 6

just give him some flakes of hay each day but not to much you dont want him to collic or you could just let him eat the grass

Answer 7

Purina Adult should be fine.  I do think you should increase the amount gradually because you don't want him to colic.  

Answer 8

peppermints,carrots,apples,or hay.

Horses love peppermint so make sure you try peppermints.

Answer 9

Keep doing what you are. He isnt that old so I dont know about the adult feed. Try giving him some hay outside to keep his weight up until you can contact the previous owner.

Answer 10

feed it baby carrots because they like baby carrots