What & How much to Feed?  
       
  Calculating Quantity

With your horse’s current body weight and condition you can now calculate the amount you should be feeding. Typically all horses require an average of 2 – 2.5% of their bodyweight in feed.

To work out the percentage you simply need to follow the formula below;

Examples

550kg horse that maintains weight easily

 
550 X 2 = 11kg of forage & concentrate
   100
300kg pony that is underweight or struggles to maintain condition
 
300 X 2.5 = 7.5kg of forage & concentrate
   100

Concentrate % Forage % Maintenance / Very light work 5 95 Light work 15 85 Light to medium 20 80 Medium 25 75 Hard work 50 50

   
       
 
 
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  Forage & Concentrate percentages  
  Once you have the total amount of feed per day this needs to be split into forage and concentrate.

 

 

Concentrate%

Forage%

Maintenance/ Very light work

 5 95

Light work

 15 85

Light to Medium

 20 80

Medium

 25 75

Hard work

 50 50
   
       
 

Examples

550kg horse being fed 11kg per day in light work should receive;

 
1.7kg of concentrate and 9.3kg of forage
300kg pony being fed 7.5kg per day in medium work should receive;
 
1.9kg of concentrate and 5.6kg of forage

Adjustments to these examples may be required to suit individual variations

    
       
  Different types of energy The energy horse feed provides is categorised into two different types, fast releasing and slow releasing.

Fast releasing energy is provided by cereals, which are high in starch and release energy quickly when they are digested. This type of energy is required for short bursts of power and acceleration and can sometimes help to give laid back horses a bit more ‘pep’.

Slow releasing energy is provided by fi bre and oil as the rate of digestion is much slower. This provides sustained fuel for stamina work and helps to minimise excitability in ‘fizzy’ horses. It can also be used to encourage weight gain.

    
       
 
   
 
  The next stage  
  Choosing an appropriate feed for your horse should now be a little easier as you know how much to feed, what percentage should be concentrate, the condition of your horse and what type of energy is most suitable.

Of course every horse is an individual and there may be issues that you would like to discuss, the Dodson & Horrell helpline team are available from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and are happy to help you with any queries you may have.

Dodson & Horrell also produce a herbal and supplement range to provide additional nutritional support for your horse, keeping him fit and healthy. For a copy of our Herbal and Supplement Range leaflet, please contact our office.

    
 
   
 
 

 

     
 

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