Stuff Fed to Horses Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hay

A single flake of hay usually weighs between 1.7 - 2.7 kg (4 - 6 lb) and horses are usually fed 4 - 8 flakes of hay per day. However, there can be significant variation in weight between different flakes and hay bales.

Answer: Commercial treats

While treats can be a beneficial part of training and bonding, it's crucial to select them carefully and offer them in moderation to ensure the horse's health and well-being. Opt for healthy alternatives like vegetables and fruits and prioritize a balanced diet based on forage.

Answer: Yes

Hay pellets improve digestion in horses as they are made from high-quality hay that's chopped and compressed. The pellets break down hay fibers, making them easier to digest. Feeding your horses hay pellets can help prevent digestive issues like colic and ulcers, promoting a healthy digestive system.

Answer: Horses are herbivores and it causes digestive problems

Feeding meat to horses is not recommended for several reasons including problems with the digestive system. Horses lack the necessary enzymes to break down animal protein and fat efficiently. Their digestive system is optimized for fermenting plant matter, not meat.

Nutritional imbalance as meat is high in protein and fat but lacks the fiber and other nutrients horses need for optimal health. A meat-based diet would disrupt their delicate balance of macro nutrients.

Introducing meat can upset the delicate balance of bacteria in the horse's digestive tract, increasing the risk of colic and other health problems. Additionally, raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria.

Answer: 70% to 100%

Every food ration starts with good roughage, grass, hay and/or silage. A horse's daily ration consists of 70% to 100% roughage, making it the most important source of nutrition for horses and ponies. The ration of sport horses consists of 70% roughage, for most recreational horses it is around 90%. There are also horses whose rations consist of 100% roughage and no concentrate at all. Give your horse or pony between 1.5% - 2% of its body weight in roughage.

To put together a healthy feed ration, it is important to know the quality of your roughage. Only when you know the energy, protein and sugar content can you choose the right supplement in concentrate and/or a balance, based on your horse's energy requirements and condition.

Answer: Forage

Colic in horses is a broad term referring to abdominal pain, often caused by issues in the digestive system. It can range from mild to severe and is a common emergency in horses, potentially leading to death if left untreated. Forage, in general terms, refers to food, especially plant based food, that animals, particularly livestock, consume.

Answer: Yes

It is no problem to combine up to a maximum of three different supplements. You need to make sure that when you give supplements with overlapping ingredients you adjust the dosage. For instance, if both supplements contain a lot of selenium, it may be wise to keep half a dose of both supplements as too much of this can be toxic for your horse.

Answer: Potential for harmful effects

Overfeeding certain nutrients can interfere with the absorption and utilization of other essential nutrients. For example, excessive intake of one nutrient can bind to another, preventing the horse from absorbing either.

Some vitamins and minerals can be toxic at high levels. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the body and can accumulate to toxic levels with excessive supplementation. Selenium and iodine also have narrow safety margins and can be toxic if overfed.

Introducing new supplements, especially in large quantities, can disrupt the delicate balance of the horse's gut microbiome, leading to digestive upset.

Answer: Yes

Feeding horses vitamins is crucial for their overall health and well-being because they are essential for various bodily functions. Vitamins play a vital role in growth, tissue maintenance, immune function, and overall health, particularly for horses in high-stress or high-performance situations.

Answer: Soaked beet pulp, alfalfa, chopped hay

Soaked beet pulp is a good source of energy and can be easier to digest than other feeds.

Alfalfa is rich in protein and calcium, which can help buffer the stomach and is a good source of energy. However, it should be fed in moderation, especially for horses prone to ulcers.

Short-fiber hay cubes, pellets, or chopped hay are often easier for horses with digestive issues to digest.