Home > Feeding Recommendations > Feeding Horse for Show or Pleasure

There are many satisfactory ways to feed horses kept primarily for show or pleasure purposes. What feed to use is largely dependent on the horse and it's activity level. Some horses for example are very "easy keepers " and may not require much grain at all especially if they are not active. Other horses may require quite a bit of grain just to avoid losing weight. As with any type of horse the most important element is this:

ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF GOOD CLEAN PALATABLE FORAGE
(HAY OR PASTURE)

Nutrients Required for Show or Pleasure Horses

Protein
The mature show horse does not require any more than 11-12% protein in the overall diet.
This means that an 11-13% grain mix is normally satisfactory.

PROTEIN % IS NOT AN INDICATOR OF ENERGY LEVEL IN THE FEED!!

A horse that is not maintaining bodyweight or lacks stamina may need more energy, but not necessary more protein. Too much protein can be hard on the horse's system and produces ammonia in the stall.

Energy - How much grain to feed?
Energy requirement is depends on activity level and the horse's metabolism. Maintenance of bodyweight and stamina are indicators of whether the diet is sufficient in energy. A fat horse needs less energy (calories) and a thin horse needs more calories in the diet. This may mean adjusting the amount of grain up or down to maintain proper bodyweight and perhaps using a fibre or fat based feed as part or all of the ration.

Source of Energy
Energy can come from dietary carbohydrates, fat, fiber, or protein. Typical grain based feeds have lots of energy from carbohydrates, however many pleasure and show horses become excitable and difficult to handle if fed too much grain. This type of horse can benefit from a good " fiber (or fat) based feed" such as Phase IV, or Phase V in the diet. The horse will get the calories it needs without adding more "grain based" feed to the diet. The addition of fat and fibre supplements such as Flax Appeal can also add calories without the undesired behaviour problems.

Vitamins and Minerals
A show or pleasure horses needs an adequate amount of trace minerals and vitamins each day. If the horse is getting 5 lbs. or more of a good balanced grain ration, supplementation is probably not necessary. Less than 5 lbs. per day however and a good mineral/vitamin supplement such as All Phase 20/Eqi-Science should be added to the ration.

Suggested feeding rates

A minimum of 1% of bodyweight should be fed as forage. Recommendations are based on average forage. Consult with your feeding consultant and test forage when possible.

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