what is a good % of grain to feed horses?

Question

I have been told many things about graining my horses some say 10% others say 12% some say pellets others say no some say the higher the % the more hyper the horse I do not have a lot of pasture so I have to grain and hay everyday also should I grain 1 or 2 times a day?

Answer 1

It depends on how much you ride or work the animal. Some equines do fine with just hay and no grain at all (ie: donkeys and mules). Also take into consideration things like age, previous ailments (choke, founder, colic, etc.), size/weight, and quality of hay.

Answer 2

The thing you should know about graining is that it should be used to supply the nutrition and energy that pasture and/or hay cannot. Even if you horse lives in a dry lot, they should be feed as much hay as possible. Its better for digestion, and there is less colic in horses that eat only hay and have a lot of turnout than in horse that eat mostly grain and spend most of there time in a stall.

What grain you feed AND how much depends on several factors.
1) Is there any important nutrients missing from your hay/ pasture?
2) How old are your horses?
3) How much work are you horses getting? Unless they are working hard for 2 hours or more every day, They probably don't need high energy anything.
4) What kind of hay you feed.
5) any heath problems?
etc.

Different horses process extra food differently. Some get fat. Some don't get fat at all, but instead get extremely hyper. If you aren't sure, ask your vet when he or she comes out for fall shots.
Some horses need more energy, some horses are hard to keep weight on, and some gain weight just by looking at anything edible. Ask your vet if your horses are healthy.

As for how often to grain. ALWAYS grain at LEAST twice a day. Horses are designed to eat a little bit at a time all day long, and feeding 1 square meal a day put stress on their digestive systems. Feeding 2 times is better, 3 is REALLY good, but most people don't have time for that.

Answer 3

It was mentioned in an earlier post and I want to re state it here. I suggest that you speak with the people where you get your feed from. Depending on the age and size of your horse, the amount of pasture you have, how hard and how you work it. WIll also dictate teh amount of grain and to what balance you will give it. I personally do feed twice a day. Mornings and nights with a mixture of grain and some hay and they have good pasture as well. But I am also training and working the animals about an hour a night in a round pen or in an arena. So in my opinion there is no standard answer.

Answer 4

If you are feeding quality hay and not working this horse hard every day you may not need to gran at all.
I prefer pellets as they are better able to use the feed they tend not to make the horse as hyper as sweet feed.
I would use about 10 -12% protein but not more than that.
I feed twice per day and split the grain up into two feedings.
Easier on their stomach.
If your horses is thin or a hard keeper feed something with a higher fat content that will add calories but not make the horse hyper.

Answer 5

properly my aunt has a horse and grain and horse feed are some situations the comparable and each so often no longer reason we've been given ones with grain and a few with a mixture of countless issues. Feed them alflayfa like a million time each and every 2 days

Answer 6

It really depends on your horses needs, how much hay and pasture they get, and how much they are worked. We feed an average of 6lbs a day with hay and pasture to our horses. To keep them from being hyper, i give them Oats and i mix in a Sweet 16 Textured Feed. Id say they probably get 4 lbs Oats and 2 lbs Sweet Feed a day.

Answer 7

if hes at grass - one feed a day will do provided he has good grazing - you dont want him to get too fat. I feed min 14% cool and cooked coarse mix (irish - not sure whre you're from) I find it gives a good balance and isnt too heating., but that will depend on how hyper your horse is.
I also feed barley and pulp with this mix. My horses are in tip top condition so provided hes not too hot I think the percentage would suit him - also of course you need to account for the amount of work he may be doing.
If all else fails - ask your vet or local feed merchant - they'll be able to give you ideas.

Answer 8

If the horse keeps weight on with hay and doesnt get worked hard you dont need to grain. One of my horses gets absolutely wild if he is grained. And certainly not twice a day. Good quality hay should cover the nutritional needs, and a mineral block and plenty of fresh water.

Answer 9

It depends on what breed of horse you have, the age,where he housed and what you use your horse for. I used to have a Thoroughbred off the track, and I used him primarily for trail, even though I did use him briefly for jumping. (I had to stop because I worried about his previous bowed tendons). He would receive a healthy flake of alfalfa hay and 2 cups of an oat/sweet corn mash in the mornings and a flake only at night. He was housed in a stall and paddock, and when I couldn't ride, I would always lunge (sp) him in the afternoon, or let him free run in the arena. I only had one episode of colic, and that was attributed to his feeding on sand outside his stall. I did find that initially we when were feeding him an increase in oats, he was a bit more energetic and took much longer to calm and cool down. You just have to adjust the supplemental feeding to your horses breed and energy level as well as how and what he is used for. I do remember that if I was taking him out on trail, I would not give him any extra oats/feed for 2 days before. It worked out much better and he was a pleasure to ride.

Answer 10

We prefer higher fat, lower protein.. 8-10% protein with up fat, to 20% fat.. Good hay or graze 24-7.. with the grain spread out to about 4x's a day.