Q: What is the Best Way to Feed Horses?

Posted by Laura Thompson Aug 28, 2009

A Suite101 reader asks:

"I run a small boarding barn and I'm starting to realize that our feeding schedule is not very organized or efficient. We have 15 horses. What is the best way to feed horses? Should you mix grain before feeding or just wheel a bunch of bags down the aisle and drop in grain? What about hay? I'm so frustrated!"

This is a loaded question but I'm going to try and answer it as thoroughly as I can..

I've worked with dozens upon dozens of stables and barns, and each one feeds differently. I have noticed that feeding schedules vary depending on where you live -- we feed differently in Texas, for example, than barn owners do in Pennsylvania.

However, here are a few rules of thumb I've picked up over the years:

1. Mix Grain First

If you have more than 10 horses, mixing grain at the beginning of the day is the best way to save time. Assuming you feed your horses twice a day, you can mix both feedings in one shot and you won't have to worry about it the rest of the day. My advice is to get two small buckets (couple quarts each) and set them on a shelf next to each horse's name.

Mix all grain into the two buckets in the morning, then feed the first set of buckets. You should add supplements, medication and other additives to the feed right then so you won't have to worry about it again until the next morning.

2. Keep a Feed Board

A white board or chalk board is the best horse feeding tool you can possibly invest in. Hang it on the wall in the feed room, list all the horse's names on the left side and write down what they are fed next to their names. Include medications and supplements (which might change, so make sure to update your white board) and make sure to write legibly.

This type of set-up not only will remind you what each horse eats, but will also facilitate a helper's job. If you need someone else to take over feeding for the day because you're sick or out of town, you won't have to rush to scribble down instructions.

3. Stack the Feed Buckets

Rather than going into your horses' stalls for their feed buckets, take your own feed buckets to them. The smaller buckets mentioned in number one above are easily carried down the barn aisle. Just dump the contents into each horse's stall.

The important thing here is to either label the buckets or set them up in the order of the horse's in the barn. For example, put buckets for the horses on the left side of the barn on one shelf and the buckets for horses on the right side on another shelf. Then order them from one end of the barn to the other to avoid confusion.

4. Feed Hay Separately

Your horses can wait a few minutes for their daily rations of hay. Feed grain first, then go back with the hay. My advice is to pile a couple bales into a plastic wheelbarrow and head down the barn aisle, dropping a couple flakes into each horse's stall.

5. Keep Flies Away

Flies are probably the numero uno barn menace, and they will swarm mixed grain if you don't make an effort to keep them out. After mixing grain, my advice is to cover your little buckets with feed bags. They won't cost you any more money because you've already emptied bags to feed your horses.

Make sure all grain bins have a cover -- preferably one that can lock down on top of the grain -- to keep flies and other pests out. If you discover that rats or flies have been in your grain, you might have to throw it out.

I hope this helps, and good luck with your horse feeding situation!

Got a question? If you have a horse question you'd like Laura Thompson to answer, e-mail her at horses@suite101.com and she'll answer in an upcoming blog post.