Key Factors for Feeding Horses in Winter

It is recommended that horses receive a minimum of 1 5 percent of their body weight in hay fibre per day. For a 1000 lb. horse this equates to 15 lbs. of hay per day. Horses can consume up to three percent of their body weight per day in hay 30 lbs. for a 1000 lb horse if the hay is of good quality. The fibre obtained from hay is necessary to keep the digestive system of the horse functioning properly. Without this hay fibre horses will seek out other sources of fibre including bedding and wood fences or trees to satisfy their needs.
Adequate fibre from hay is even more critical during the winter months since it is the feed ingredient that keeps horses warm during cold weather. Digestion and fermentation of hay produces heat that helps the horse maintain its body temperature during winter. Unlike hay consumption of grain does not produce large amounts of heat during digestion.
Another problem that may arise during the winter months is chronic weight loss. This can occur either by not feeding enough hay or by feeding poor quality hay. In both cases the horse will have trouble getting enough calories to maintain body weight. In the case of not feeding enough hay the simple remedy is to provide all the hay the horse will consume during the day.
If the horse is being fed all the hay it will consume and weight loss is still an issue better quality hay must be fed. Better quality hays typically contain higher calories for example alfalfa compared to grass hay. Other baled hay substitutes such as hay cubes hay pellets or hay extenders can be fed to replace poor quality hay.
Finally the protein trace mineral and vitamin needs of the horse must be satisfied. Winter is a