Grain?

TravelingGirl · 11-12-2005, 07:02 PM

If a horse has enough pasture and hay, do they require grain when they're not being worked? Thanks!

sher327 · 11-13-2005, 09:58 AM

IMO, no not at all

Zoomarsgirl · 11-13-2005, 10:03 AM

Not unless they're underweight.

firestorm · 11-13-2005, 10:04 AM

No, they shouldnt require any grain unless they are underweight.

salemvot · 11-13-2005, 10:48 AM

A horse on 100% rest with good pasture and hay should not need grain. If the horsr is loosing weight, or not gaining if it needs to, the feed needs tested to see what the problem is and, you need to be sure each horse is getting enough to eat.

Xiphias · 11-13-2005, 10:52 AM

Depends on the horse and it's age...most horses are fine on good pasture...Cathy

horsegent · 11-13-2005, 11:41 AM

no ................ (only put the dots because it said my post was too short)

TravelingGirl · 11-13-2005, 12:24 PM

Well, the stable took Traveler off his grain because they thought it might be making him a little antsy so he's on hay (access to it 24/7) and what's left of the pasture right now. He's actually gaining weight this way (weight he doesn't need), but I did start riding him this weekend, and he's moving closer to home in 12 days, so he'll get worked much more frequently.

Thanks for all the replies!

LadyDulcinea · 11-13-2005, 07:35 PM

Nope. As long as your horse is able to maintain a healthy body weight and not drop any (weight), then grain isn't needed.

KZWestern · 11-14-2005, 03:12 PM

Even if horses are being worked, if they're getting good hay and grass they don't need grain. A horse "needing" grain is a common myth. Grain in actuality doesn't help horses, infact, it can be very bad for them. Because of the way it ferments in the gut it can cause liminitis and colic. If you do feed grain, avoid feeding large amounts of it. (Isis only gets about a 4rth of a pound a day) If you want to make sure your horse is getting enough nutrients and his hay/grass isn't enough then other forms of things such as pelleted feeds, supplements etc. will do your horse much better because they're formulated to be digestable.

11-12-2005, 07:02 PM	#1
TravelingGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 2,210 Images: 240	Grain? If a horse has enough pasture and hay, do they require grain when they're not being worked? Thanks!

11-13-2005, 10:03 AM	#3
Zoomarsgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hicktown, Virginia Posts: 7,565 Images: 282	Not unless they're underweight. __________________ -Jennifer Country & Zoomar. Rest in peace handsome boys, you will forever be missed. <3

11-13-2005, 10:04 AM	#4
firestorm Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: southern Illinois Posts: 579 Images: 91 Blog Entries: 8	No, they shouldnt require any grain unless they are underweight. __________________ www.myspace.com/cowgirlin_it_up RIP... LS "135" ..12/7/1958 - 9/29/2005~I will never forget you my friend. "Adios" ~ Howard "Montana" Bates~Jan. 13, 1940 - Jun. 3, 2006 ~someday we will ride together again

11-13-2005, 10:52 AM	#6
Xiphias Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maryland, horse country USA Posts: 16,763 Images: 627 Blog Entries: 29	Depends on the horse and it's age...most horses are fine on good pasture...Cathy __________________ Member COL Club- hand over the Oil of Olay and nobody gets hurt! http://www.freewebs.com/xiphias21034/ I was on HGS the day we made 2 million posts and 3 million posts I've been snowballed 6 times

11-14-2005, 03:12 PM	#10
KZWestern Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,643 Images: 35	Even if horses are being worked, if they're getting good hay and grass they don't need grain. A horse "needing" grain is a common myth. Grain in actuality doesn't help horses, infact, it can be very bad for them. Because of the way it ferments in the gut it can cause liminitis and colic. If you do feed grain, avoid feeding large amounts of it. (Isis only gets about a 4rth of a pound a day) If you want to make sure your horse is getting enough nutrients and his hay/grass isn't enough then other forms of things such as pelleted feeds, supplements etc. will do your horse much better because they're formulated to be digestable. __________________ Kristie + Isis = Krisis!!!!!!!!! Isis - slaughter rescue Grattitude - Swedish Warmblood

11-13-2005, 09:58 AM	#2
sher327 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: illinois Posts: 7,132 Images: 624	IMO, no not at all

11-13-2005, 10:48 AM	#5
salemvot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 428 Images: 28 Blog Entries: 1	A horse on 100% rest with good pasture and hay should not need grain. If the horsr is loosing weight, or not gaining if it needs to, the feed needs tested to see what the problem is and, you need to be sure each horse is getting enough to eat.

11-13-2005, 11:41 AM	#7
horsegent Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 696	no ................ (only put the dots because it said my post was too short)

11-13-2005, 12:24 PM	#8
TravelingGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 2,210 Images: 240	Well, the stable took Traveler off his grain because they thought it might be making him a little antsy so he's on hay (access to it 24/7) and what's left of the pasture right now. He's actually gaining weight this way (weight he doesn't need), but I did start riding him this weekend, and he's moving closer to home in 12 days, so he'll get worked much more frequently. Thanks for all the replies!

11-13-2005, 07:35 PM	#9
LadyDulcinea Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,271 Images: 305	Nope. As long as your horse is able to maintain a healthy body weight and not drop any (weight), then grain isn't needed.

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