In the News - February 2008
Don't change diet of your horse all at once, equine specialist advises
LITTLE ROCK - When grasses start greening up in the spring, you might be
tempted to turn your horse loose in the pasture to chow down on the new grass.
But be aware that any sudden change in your horse's diet could cause health
problems, says Steve Jones, associate professor/extension equine specialist with
the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
"Whether it's the grain, hay or pasture grass, any change in the horse's diet
should be spread over several days or weeks," Jones says. "Increases in the
amount of grain given to a horse should be added at a half-pound a day until the
desired amount of grain is reached."
Grain increases may be needed because of an increase in activity level or for
a mare during lactation. If the grain amount is increased too quickly, colic or
founder may occur, he said.
When introducing a new type of hay or grain it should replace the old feed at
a rate of 25 percent every other day, taking a total of six days until the horse
is completely on the new feed.
Feed intake or eagerness to consume the diet may decrease during this
changeover period. If this occurs, more time may be needed for the horse to
adjust to the new feed.
"When a horse is to be turned out on pasture all day, especially if the
pasture is lush and green, time on pasture should be gradually increased to
avoid overeating, in a manner similar to increasing the grain," Jones says.
Horses should be provided with all the hay they want to eat about a week
prior to the start of complete pasture turnout.
The time on pasture should be increased by an hour each day for four to five
days. Then, before the horse is going to be turned out completely on pasture,
provide a hay meal.
"It's important to remember that each horse is different," Jones notes. Some
horses take more time to adjust to dietary changes than others. So monitor the
horse's eating habits and health status closely during this time.
For more information on horses, contact your county extension agent or visit
www.uaex.edu and select Agriculture, then Horses. The
Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
February 29, 2008
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialists
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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