Horse Feeding Help

horses in a pasture

Basics of Horse Feeding

Basics of Feeding Horses is ideal for any horse enthusiast who want to simply understand how to feed horses. This course covers the horses’ digestive system., appraising the nutritional status, requirements, feed tags, what to feed and the nutrients and nutraceuticals. There are 4 lessons to complete with text, videos and “test yourself questions”, along with a final quiz so you can receive a certificate.

Reading the Horse Feed Bag Tag

Webcasts

Supplements for horses

Are you using money wisely?- There are a tremendous number of supplements on the market for horses, but the research supporting claims that many of these supplements make is unclear or just not available. This presentation will explore horse's vitamin and mineral, joint, calming, herbal and various other supplements, when supplements might be beneficial, and how to use science based information to determine if your horse needs a feed supplement. Presented by: Carey A. Williams, Ph.D, Equine Extension Specialist, Rutgers University.

Getting the most from your forages for your horses – Helping horse owners to make educated decisions on management and selection of forages that would enhance the nutritive value and reduce overall feed costs. Presented by Bruce Anderson, PhD, University of Nebraska Extension Forage Specialist

Publications/NebGuides

Basics of Feeding Horses: Reading the Feed Tag, G1403
This NebGuide explains the role of essential nutrients and how to read the tag of a manufacture red horse feed.

Basics of Feeding Horses: Feeding Management, G1781
This NebGuide covers basic, daily feeding management for horses and details the differences between common feeding strategies.

Basics of Feeding Horses: What to Feed and Why, G1875
This NebGuide discusses the horse's digestive system and appropriate feeding procedures.

Management of Blister Beetles in Alfalfa, G1645
Blister beetles can be a grave risk to horses. This publication describes the symptoms of poisoning from blister beetles and how it might be prevented.

Feeding and Care of Orphaned Foals, G1872
Orphaned foals can survive with intensive management in the first 24 hours. This NebGuide includes recipes for emergency milk replacements and care recommendations for the early weeks.

Feeding with Round Bales PDF (456 kb)

Feeding New Hay PDF (153 kb)

EC95-272 Nutrition Management of Pregnant and Lactating Mares

Condition Score Card for Horses PDF (140 kb)

eXtension Horses Learning lessons

Horse Hay 
Good quality hay can provide ample nutrients to meet the needs of most horses. There is no right or wrong hay to feed your horse. As a horse owner, you must evaluate your individual horse's needs and determine the type of hay and feeding strategies that fit your feeding program. This module is designed to give you the knowledge to make these decisions.

Feeding a Horse
One of the basic responsibilities of horse ownership is care of the animal. Proper feeding and nutrition are vital elements of that care. Learn the basic principles of feeding a horse in this lesson.