Everything you need to know about feeding your horse during show season: from fat sources, to feeding on a trailer, to water intake. Feed your horse right during the competition season with our advice from Dr. Melyni Worth at Foxden Equine.
Horses should be fed a mainly forage diet and only adding in grain as needed. In almost all cases, horses should have access to fiber at all times. For overweight horses, this may mean including low quality hay or straw mixed in with better quality hay. Consistent access to hay acts as an ulcer preventative, satisfies their chewing need, and aids the horse in digesting food in the hindgut.
Preventing mold from infesting your hay is all about humidity and heat management. Stack your hay loosely on stacks to allow for maximum air flow between bales under cover.
Timothy and orchard grasses offer good feed value to horses. Dr. Worth demonstrates the differences in the seed heads so as to differentiate between the hay.
Bahiagrass is a grass that tolerates hot temperatures and can often be found in the Southeast of the US. It provides grazing and hay for horses. Dr. Worth explains why it can be useful and the nutritional value.
