is it okay to just feed your horse timothy hay and let it graze on pastier grass?

Question

i mean with the occassional grain, but is it healthy and should i worry about colic if i do?

and with plenty of water avaliable at all times

Answer 1

Depends on how vigorously your horse is exercised, horses who are exercised regularly have higher caloric requirements and need more than hay and grass. It also depends on where you live, for example here in Michigan the soil lacks the mineral selenium, which horses need, so it is automatically added to grain here. Also your horse if he is young, middle aged, or old, may require supplements that can only be given through food. So I would suggest that you contact a vet or animal dietician to discuss your horses needs. But also with such a high grass and hay diet make sure to always have fresh water near by.

Answer 2

The less grain and the more hay/pasture your horse gets, the healthier he will be. Unless he needs the grain to keep weight on or to make up for a decfiency in the hay or soil, you don't need to give him any grain at all. In fact, Horses on free choice hay or pasture colic alot LESS than horses that eat alot of grain.

If you are unsure talk to your Vet. But horses are designed to eat a little here, a little there, all day. And they are desinged to eat mainly grass.

I recomnd that you look through these articles : http://horse-sense.org/index/Feeds_and_nutrition/

Answer 3

If your horse is fat and healthy, he's fine. Not all horses need grain, but I would include a mineral block for him. Grass and hay is essential for a horse; grain is not. A horse can founder if put on lush pasture when he's not used to it, but the only colic caused by hay or grain is impaction colic, when a horse (usualy older) cannot "move it through" the system and needs treatment.

Answer 4

Horses need a balanced diet just like people. If you are feeding a good quality hay, you should feed a trace mineral/ salt supplement. They come in block form or as loose mineral. Be careful feeding grain on an ocasional basis, doing this may cause colic. Ask your vet about feeding questions and nutrition.

Answer 5

Timothy is great, but you probably won't need it during the summer if the pasture grass is plentiful. Giving your horse less than two pounds of grain per day is ample unless you are working it hard. Consult your vet for advice about the amount to feed in the summer vs the winter.

Answer 6

That is the best possible way to feed your horse.
Free choice hay with pasture grass available is great.
Use grain as a suppliment to get all the vitamins and such but having feed available at all times is good. It keeps things moving in their guts and that is the way nature made them to eat alittle at a time all day long.

Answer 7

Should be fine. We fed our horses like that for 20 years and never had a problem. Occasional grain and treats like apples and carrots..... just don't forget to have plenty of fresh water available at all times.

Answer 8

They are plant eaters so give then grass, grain what they actually eat. Don't worry, what do you think wild horses eat and drink?You should even listen what the others say.

Answer 9

They still need grains. everyday. Timothy hay is a treat.

Answer 10

he shouldnt have a problem at all. keep the water avail, and have a salt lick around most of the time too, this helps break up all the fibrous hay and grass they eat :)