Easter - Mature Horse (7-14 years) Weight : 1100lbs (500kg) Height : 15.2 hh Total Feed Requirement : Approx. 30lbs (13.6kg) NB. Turned out for 2 hours most days, hay reduced in spring/summer Easter - Now fit, stabled, not turned out, working hard, competing etc. Total Feed Requirement : Approx. 30lbs (13.6kg)

He needs to eat about 2.5% of his total bodyweight every day -
If a weighbridge is not available, a marked weigh-tape can be used around the circumference at the horse's girth, to assess his weight. A horse measuring 69 inches (175cm), for example, should weigh around 1000lbs (454kg). It is only a rough guide (the individual may be too fat or too thin, or lack muscle), but necessary, since feeding by 'trial and error' is dangerous. It is just as harmful to overfeed, causing obesity, illness, or behaviour problems, as to feed too little. The health of the legs, muscles, respiration and digestion, are dependent on correct rations. Be careful not to confuse muscle with fat. Food and exercise must balance, but at least 25% of any horse's diet must be roughage. A horse or pony's food ration depends on his 'lifestyle'.

Factors Affecting Rations -
The type and size of horse or pony is a major factor when feeding him. Hardy ponies, for instance, need less than non- native types of the same size, especially when there is abundant grazing. Also a finely bred horse which grows very little winter coat, needs much more sustenance than a Welsh Cob cross of equal size. Age is a factor. Old horses and very young ones need more energy-giving food than a mature animal in good condition. Different types mature at different rates, but the first year of growth and development is by far the most important for all horses.