Feeding After the Hammer FallsBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 2003
Thousands of horses change hands annually at public auctions. While the most conscientious of buyers may flood the seller with innumerable questions regarding their most recent equine acquisition, many horses are shipped without feeding instructions. When they arrive at their destination, the horses are often placed immediately on the new owner's feeding schedule, which may be considerably different than the familiar one.
Any extreme change in feeding routine may induce abdominal distress or colic. Adding such a change on top of an already stressful move to a new locale can bring about colic quickly. Innocent management misfires such as adding voluminous amounts of concentrates to a horse previously eating only forage or allowing carte blanche pasture access to a horse that has been stabled continuously can incite an episode of colic. The horse's gastrointestinal tract is a delicate system of organs that contain fragile populations of microorganisms, and any sudden dietary insult can cause this system to cave.
At the Sale
Prior to purchasing a horse, it may be wise to ask about the horse's feed-related history. The following is a list of pertinent questions, though by no means exhaustive, that will help the prospective buyer gain an understanding of the horse's previous level of management:
• What type and how much hay and/or concentrate does the horse receive daily?
• How many meals per day does the horse eat? One, two, or more?
• Did the horse have access to pasture on a regular basis? What was the quality of that pasture (lush pasture versus drylot)?
• Does the horse receive any supplements?
• Has the horse shown any feed-related allergies?
Once a horse is purchased, follow it back to its stall or holding area, where you are likely to find a person, probably the owner, agent, or stablehand, to speak with about the horse. In addition to feeding questions, this is an ideal opportunity for the new owner to ask about deworming, vaccination, farriery, and dental care schedules. Some astute consignors will have this information prepared ahead of time. Others will be able to recite inoculation and deworming programs off the top of their heads, so have pencil and paper ready to take notes! A medical history, including any bouts with colic, founder, or other feed-related ailments, should also be discussed.
Starting Off Right
In some instances, the feeding program of recently sold horses may not change at all. If the horse is accustomed to straight oats, for instance, it may be easy to maintain his feeding program without disruption. More than likely, however, a large enough change in the diet will occur so that careful planning and execution are warrented.
If possible, the buyer should try to acquire some hay and concentrates (textured or pelleted feed) from the former owner. Some sellers are more than willing to part with surplus feed and hay just so they don't have to haul it home with them. By having these feedstuffs available, new owners will be able to blend them with new feeds, gradually easing the horse onto a different feeding regime if necessary.
If the new owner is able to obtain familiar feedstuffs from the consignor, switching the horse to new feeds can be accomplished slowly and incrementally. Owners should begin by feeding the familiar hay and then gradually adding more and more of the new forage. This switchover should take no longer than five to seven days.
A horse can become accustomed to the new concentrate at the same time it's becoming familiar with new forage. By adding one-half to one pound of the new concentrate every two or three days and decreasing the old concentrate by as a similar amount, a horse receiving a daily ration of ten pounds, for example, should be fully accustomed to the new feed two weeks after commencing the changeover.
As long as a ration is changed gradually, a horse will usually not encounter any health problems. If the horse displays any signs of colic during the transition period, however, contact a veterinarian immediately. Be sure to tell the veterinarian about changes in the horse's diet.
Special Circumstances Supplements Find out what supplements the horse has been given on a regular basis and, more importantly, why these were fed. Reasons for giving a particular supplement may not be applicable in the new home. For example, a horse that was fed a daily vitamin and mineral supplement would no longer need this once he enters a well-balanced feeding program that includes a fortified concentrate fed at recommended levels.
Inappetance Some horses may not be keen on eating new feeds. Yearlings fed pelleted concentrates, for instance, may require a few days to become familiar with a textured or extruded feed. If this is a problem, consider turning to feeds that are universally tempting to horses such as heavily molassed sweet feeds. Though some horsemen feel alfalfa has a bitter taste, horses seem to prefer it to grass hays, particularly those harvested past their nutritional prime.
Water Although it doesn't happen often, horses sometimes will not readily drink unfamiliar water, particularly if it's from a source they are unaccustomed to such as an automatic waterer. As long as the horse has unlimited access to fresh, clean water, he will eventually drink. If the owner is unsure whether or not the horse is drinking, watch the horse during specific times. A horse is more likely to drink after a grain or hay meal. Adequate water consumption is important, and if there's suspicion that the horse is not drinking from an automatic waterer, deny access to it and offer water from a bucket. Intake can then be measured accurately.
