The most common mistakes and problems in horse feeding

Proper nutrition is important for every horse's health and performance. It is a good idea to ensure a balanced diet, monitor fatness and make changes if necessary to ensure well-being. Achieving perfect nutrition requires careful planning, monitoring, and adjustments to individual needs. Unless you are a long-time equine professional or horse owner, feeding issues can be challenging. Especially if you have no previous experience with different feeds or their use in feeding, problems may arise. Without knowledge, it is not a good idea to feed a horse any feed, as it can lead to serious consequences. Instead, you should seek help from experts or study enough about what and when to feed a horse. So what are the most common mistakes that can happen when it comes to feeding?

The most common feeding challenges

Overfeeding and underfeeding Excessive amounts of feed can lead to obesity, laminitis, and other health problems. Horses should be fed according to their weight, age, and activity level. Likewise, if a horse does not receive enough nutrients, especially if it is a growing, working or pregnant horse, it can lead to malnutrition, stunted growth or weight loss. Poor quality feed The primary component of a horse's diet should be good quality hay and forage. The quality of the forage can cause digestive problems, including flatulence or intestinal irritation. Inconsistent feeding schedule Horses need routine, so it's important to feed them at the same time every day. Inconsistent feeding can cause stress and digestive upset. Sudden feed changes Rapid changes in feeding, especially switching to a different type or new feed, can upset a horse's digestive system and lead to flatulence or blockages. Problems are avoided by gradually switching and acclimating to the feed. Inadequate dental care Horses need regular dental care to ensure proper chewing and digestion. Dental problems can lead to eating difficulties and weight loss, for example. Learn more about dental problems in this post . Lack of clean water Horses always need clean, fresh water. A horse needs liquid for digestion, among other things, and they drink about 40 liters a day. Unnecessary supplementary feeds Many horses do not need supplements if they are otherwise fed a balanced diet and high-quality forage. Giving unnecessary supplements can lead to excessive consumption of certain nutrients. Improper feeding Young, growing horses, pregnant mares and racing horses have different nutritional requirements. If feeding is not adapted to the horse, health and condition problems can result. It is important to monitor the horse's fattening status and adjust feeding as needed. Allergies and sensitivities Some horses may have allergies or sensitivities to certain feeds or ingredients. It is important to be aware of any special feeding requirements or restrictions your horse may have.

Tips for correcting feeding

Regular exercise is particularly important for a horse's overall health. Long periods of paddocking or grazing are good for a horse's mental and physical well-being. Exercise also helps with digestion and metabolism, preventing, for example, intestinal problems and flatulence. Keeping a feeding diary makes it easy to monitor your horse's eating habits and changes in body condition. In addition, it is a good idea for the owner to stay up to date with the latest updates on horse feeding. By attending seminars or courses, you can improve your knowledge and skills. Every horse is unique, so you must be prepared to adjust your feeding plan as needed. Achieving a perfect feeding plan requires constant attention, careful observation and a commitment to your horse's well-being. Consulting with equine professionals is often the best way to create and fine-tune a feeding plan that is tailored to your horse's individual needs. If you are unsure about your horse's feeding and needs, or if your horse has specific health problems, please contact your veterinarian or a feeding specialist. Discover Biohansa's feed products via this link . Remember to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to receive information about new products and current topics directly to your email. Also give us feedback on what topics you would like to read about on Biohansa's blog! Photo: Pixabay