How soon after exercise should a horse be fed hard feed and why?

Question

My horse is on loan to someone who thinks they know everything, but however has proved they no very little. he was lame for a year and has been back in work for about 5 months. He only gets ridden twice a week if he is lucky. The exercise is for about 1/2 hour to one hour sessions. He is then brought back to the yard and galloped around the field for 5-10 minutes. Straight after being ridden he is fed with hard feed rugged up and put back out in the field. I have tried to advise the rider that she is doing great harm to the horse but she takes no notice. perhaps there is a fact sheet i could download for her to read could someone advise.

Answer 1

from what you have said what on gods earth is she still doing with the horse i have 3 horses and have loaned one of mine out before if you think shes doing it wrong get the horse back if people wont listen you have no chance of changing there minds i had a similar experience and i brought the horse home a horse should always be cooled off before feeding for an hour and if its sweaty a sweat rug should be put on to cool the horse down beforeturning him out you should never rug a sweaty horse as it could get a chill and as for galloping it for 5 to 10 minuets man you need to get your horse back and find some one else who will care or it properly before your horse gets ill

Answer 2

As long as she is grazing all day she doesn't have to be fed twice a day. You say she is overweight, so she may not need any additional calories, but could require nutrient supplement, depending on the quality of the pasture. You can take a sample of the pasture grass, including the roots, and have it analyzed. Of course, if the pasture is not consistent, that is of limited value. A mineral supplement, and salt block should be provided at the very least. Exercise will help to convert fat weight into muscle weight, which may not lose actual lbs of weight, but redistribute the weight to different tissue. If the horse begins to lose more weight than is desirable, then adding a feeding when you finish riding each day would be a good idea. Your vet is the best resource for advice on the proper diet for the horse...I would ask him/her.

Answer 3

I'd take my horse back...she's going to colic him if she keeps doing that, plus, think of all the other stupid things she's probably doing. At least she's waiting until after she's ridden, it's worse if they're fed right before.

Depending on how hard the horse worked, I wait 30min (light work, no sweat) to 1.5 hrs. Sometimes I'd walk by and throw a handful in here or there while she was waiting, but the big amount didn't come until she was fully cool. I always made sure she had hay to chew on.

Answer 4

You don't say what kind of a contract you have with this person who loans your animal. If you think that the animals welfare is not up to the standard you require then you could ask/insist that she has a few lessons with a competent instructor who will be able to put pointers there way.

I used to ride then offer a drink of 7/10 count depending on how sweaty after exercise. Then feed and left for 20/30 mins before turnout but if too hot then sweat rugged and left in for later turnout. But then I was lucky in that others were around to check on the welfare of my horse as he was prone to colic. So then they could contact me and I could get back to walk him/vet etc.

Answer 5

I advise that you remove your horse from that person IMMEDIATELY!!!!! not only is she potentially aggravating the lameness/soundness of your horse, but she is also endangering his health. She should be put in touch with the local riding school, or you can get her a book called "The Pony Club Manual"...im not sure if you get that in the States, but there's a British version and a South African version, but any good book store will carry "How To" books on horses, and they dont even have to be new editions since books published in the '60s and '70s will tell her the exact same thing.
But right now, she shouldn't be allowed within 50yards of a horse until she knows how to care for it properly.

Answer 6

Do not ride your horse less then 1/2 hours after the eat and do not feed your horse befor 1/2 hours after you ride

Otherwise they colic

Answer 7

ive seen this happen with some of the idiots ive worked with. you would pray for a colic. what usually happens is the horse "ties up" all the muscles in its body tighten to the limit it cant move and then it collapses. even a vet cant save it
the only humane thing to do is to put it down. my professional advice is to GET IT BACK NOW before any damage is done
and before you take it back to you place stop at a vets to check it over and if any thing has been done you have proof.

Answer 8

We always wait atleast 1/2 hour 1 hour till feeding, you should find somewhere else for your horse to be, I am looking for a loan horse???

Answer 9

WHY WOULD YOU LOAN YOUR HORSE OUT WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING HER KNOWLEDGE? AND WHY DOES SHE STILL HAVE THE HORSE? AFTER BEING RIDDEN OR WORKED, WHEN THEY ARE COMPLETELY COOL AND RELAXED IS THE ONLY TIME THEY SHOULD HAVE GRAIN/FEED. HAY WON'T HURT HIM, BUT HE SHOULD HAVE VERY LIMMITED WATER, COUPLE OF SWALLOWS AT A TIME, AND SLIGHTLY WARMED, UNTIL HE'S COOL. FEED GRAIN WILL CAUSE THE HORSE TO FOUNDER. AND POSSIBLY COLIC. AND IF SHE KNOWS SO LITTLE ABOUT HORSES AND HE COLICS, YOU BETTER START DIGGING A GRAVE.

Answer 10

hi i have 4 horses and i feed my horses hard feed and hay after they have been worked but i dont let them drink untill they have cooled down. to be honest i think its up to each individual on what to do best.my uncle works his horse washes him down and gives him a drink , feed ,and hay. my mate don't let his horse have anything untill they have cooled right down. and they are all fine, but please try not to loose sight as they are all animals that origanally gallop around one minute and stop the next to eat and drink when they like in the wild.