Choosing the Right Horse Feed
Looking for the best horse feed to keep your horses healthy? There’s not one simple answer. We’re laying out the factors you should consider.
Choose the best feed for your horse with the help of Agrimaster.
You want only what’s best for your horse. When you’re deciding which horse feed to buy, the choices can be overwhelming. With so many types of feeds, how do you choose the right one?
As your resident animal feed experts, we here at Agrimaster are here to help. In order to find the right feed for your horse, there are a few questions you need to answer.
1. What’s the age or life stage of your horse?
The first thing to consider is the age or life stage of your horse. A growing, young horse has different nutritional needs than a senior horse.
Typically, the bag of feed will specify which age or life stage it’s intended for.
A young horse’s feed is filled with protein and minerals that encourage growth. On the other hand, Agrimaster Senior Horse Feed can help with digestion and has a high fiber content.
2. Does your horse have any health or medical issues?
When selecting a feed, keep any health or medical issues in mind. Conditions that can affect a horse’s dietary choices include gastric ulcers, allergies, kidney problems, laminitis, insulin resistance, and Cushing’s.
If your horse has medical issues, it’s best to work with your veterinarian to come up with a diet plan for their needs.
3. How active is your horse?
Choosing the right horse feed can also depend on your horse’s activity level.
Agrimaster maintenance feed can help your horse maintain their current condition and body weight.
If you have a breeding horse, nutritional needs can vary. A mare’s reproductive state influences the type of feed she’ll need. A mare and foal feed is meant to supplement the mare and her growing foal.
A breeding stallion’s condition and weight influence the type of feed he’ll need. A horse that’s on stall rest or free turn out will have different needs than a horse that has a heavy workload.
4. What kind of roughage is available for your horse?
Horses that are free to roam in the pasture can get a lot of their nutrition from grass or quality hay. Feed is meant to supplement a diet of roughage.
If your horse has access to quality roughage, the amount of feed they need will decrease. If your horse is confined to a stall or just can’t access quality grass during the winter months, hay and feed can give them a balanced diet.
Ultimately, nutritional needs vary from horse to horse. Working with your veterinarian and local feed supplier is the best way to determine the right diet for your horse.
Agrimaster offers a variety of horse feeds and treats for every life stage, only available at Blain’s Farm & Fleet. For more tips on caring for your horses and other farm animals, visit our Blog.