Some basic guidelines and principles should be followed if top performance is to be achieved. The horse Horses have only one stomach. Because of this they must eat small amounts often. Horses must also chew their feed well before swallowing and so will take longer over their feed than will cattle and other ruminants. Also, horses are unable to digest low quality feeds as efficiently as ruminants, and should be given only good quality feeds.
Horses vary greatly in their individual likes and dislikes.
Factors such as the horse's type, age and weight, and the work a horse does, will influence feed requirements. Most horses at rest can be maintained on good quality pastures. However, pastures vary greatly in type and value and may need supplementing, particularly in late summer and winter. Horses doing heavy work, growing foals and lactating mares may also need a supplement. The feeds A well-balanced horse ration should provide the nutrients required for body maintenance, growth, gestation, lactation and work.