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(top)
- Feed
bowls
(and hay piles) should be spaced well apart, avoiding
muddy areas. Position them so that horses may put their
backs towards driving rain.
(bottom) - Bad pasture causes hunger,
worms, loss of condition, and mineral deficiencies. If
a horse appears listless, gnaws at wood or eats earth,
he needs a change of diet - or field.
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Feeding
a horse at grass -
Most
horses and ponies are content in a well-maintained field
from May to September, eating only grass, their natural
food.
Some
may get too fat on good grazing unless it is limited.
Between October and April, however, grass has scarcely
any nutritive value, so extra feeding is essential.
As
the amount and quality of grazing lessens, they will need
hay, preferably fed in haynets (one for each horse) or
racks.
Loose
hay on the ground is often wasted as it blows away, or
is trampled and soiled. Make one or more piles than there
are horses, to deter the field bully. The hay should not
be shaken out.
Hard
food (concentrates)
becomes necessary for all but the hardiest ponies in wet,
cold weather. They need bulk to keep them warm and healthy
throughout the winter.
Horses
working from grass can
need the same amount of concentrates as fully stabled,
fit horses, or even more in severe weather. They are already
using up valuable energy in just keeping warm. If it is
unavoidable to keep horses on over-grazed, weedy land
on which they will lose condition, they should be fed,
whatever the season.
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