A horse or pony will eat between 2-2.5% of its bodyweight per day. A simple calculation can be used in order to calculate how much feed is required for your horse:
(Weight (kg) x 2)/100 Example; A 500kg Horse (500 x 2)/100 = 10kg per day
The calculated figure can be split between different feedstuffs (forage, concentrate etc.) in order to meet your horse/ponies requirements.
A minimum of 80% forage(grass,hay,haylage,chops) is recommended.
When feeding your horse any combination of feedstuff the following guidelines should always be followed:
- Ensure access to clean, fresh water
- Horses are “trickle feeders”, so feed little and often
- Feed forage of a high quality to maintain a healthy gut. Forage should make up about 1.5% of the horse/ponies bodyweight.
- Changes to the animal’s diet should be made gradually
- Feed should be stored separately to prevent cross contamination
- Feed buckets, scoops and utensils should be kept clean
- Horses/ponies teeth should be checked regularly to prevent discomfort when eating
- Horses/ponies should be wormed regularly
All Feed recommendations are there as a guideline and should be adapted according to the requirements or your horse/pony.
Maximum TOTAL hard feed per FEED (dry weight) |
|
10-12hh Small Pony | 1.0kg/Feed |
12.2-14.2hh Pony | 1.5kg/Feed |
15-16hh Horse | 2.0kg/Feed |
16.2-17.2hh Large Horse | 2.5kg/Feed |
Weight & Height
Typical Height | Type | Weight (KG) |
10-12hh Small Pony | Shetland, Dartmoor, Welsh Section A | 250 |
12.2-14.2hh Pony | Show Hunter Pony, Connemara, New Forest, Fell, Welsh Sec B and C | 375 |
15-16hh Horse | Thoroughbred, Thoroughbred x, Arab, Arab X, Welsh Cob, Connemara X | 500 |
16.2-17.2hh Large Horse | Eventer, Thoroughbred X, Hunter, Warmblood, Sports Horse | 625 |