Feeding Guidlines for the Pleasure Horse
A good starting point is 2% of
body weight. For a 1000 lb horse, that would be 20 lbs of hay and grain
per day. This is for maintenance and occasional work. As activity level
increases, so will nutritional requirements.
APPROXIMATE FEED WEIGHT
Alfalfa hay (3" flake) = 5 lbs Horses only require grain if their activity level
Grass hay (3" flake) = 2.5 lbs exceeds the ability of the hay in their diet to
Oats (1 lb coffee can) = 1 lbs meet the animal's needs. If grain is being fed,
Corn (1 lb coffee can) = 1.5 lbs it should not be more than 6 lbs per day in
Sweet feed (1 lb coffee can) = 1.25 lb most cases.
Pellets (1 lb coffee can) = 1.5 lbs
PROTEIN: Protein quality is less important in horses on maintenance than in growing horses.
Daily requirement for maintenance is 600 grams of crude protein for a 1000 lb horse.
SUPPLEMENTS: There are complete supplements, vitamin supplements, mineral supplements,
energy supplements, and specialty supplements. They are usually not necessary for
most pleasure horses and can cause health problems. Consult a veterinarian or
nutritionist before adding a lot of supplements to the diet.
FAT: Fat supplements can be beneficial for improving coat condition and increasing energy
density of the diet. One cup of corn oil is the equivalent of 1.5 lbs of feed.
CONDITIONS THAT INCREASE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
LIGHT WORK: (frequent showing English & Western pleasure, bridle path hack)
25% increase from maintenance
MEDIUM WORK: (ranch work, barrel racing, jumping) 50% increase from maintenance
INTENSE WORK: (race training, polo, 3-day eventing, endurance riding) doubles
maintenance requirements
** Riding 2 times a week does not increase requirements **
GENERAL FEEDING GUIDELINES
1. Most horses will do well on 16-18 lbs of good quality hay per day (approximately 2% of body
weight). Less feed will be required if pasture is available (2 acres per horse).
2. Fresh water should be available at all times. Water is considered the most overlooked nutrient
of all. Estimates range from 4.5 to 7 gallons per day.
3. Grain is only necessary if horse's activity exceeds the ability of hay to meet its needs. Many
pleasure horses receive 5-6 lbs of grain and 10-12 lbs of hay daily, a ratio of 30:70 grain to
hay. This is probably more grain than is needed in most cases. Maximum ration for any horse
is 50:50.
4. A combination salt and trace mineral block should be provided to supply minerals that may
be low in hay and raw grains.
APPROXIMATE FEED WEIGHT
Alfalfa hay (3" flake) = 5 lbs Horses only require grain if their activity level
Grass hay (3" flake) = 2.5 lbs exceeds the ability of the hay in their diet to
Oats (1 lb coffee can) = 1 lbs meet the animal's needs. If grain is being fed,
Corn (1 lb coffee can) = 1.5 lbs it should not be more than 6 lbs per day in
Sweet feed (1 lb coffee can) = 1.25 lb most cases.
Pellets (1 lb coffee can) = 1.5 lbs
PROTEIN: Protein quality is less important in horses on maintenance than in growing horses.
Daily requirement for maintenance is 600 grams of crude protein for a 1000 lb horse.
SUPPLEMENTS: There are complete supplements, vitamin supplements, mineral supplements,
energy supplements, and specialty supplements. They are usually not necessary for
most pleasure horses and can cause health problems. Consult a veterinarian or
nutritionist before adding a lot of supplements to the diet.
FAT: Fat supplements can be beneficial for improving coat condition and increasing energy
density of the diet. One cup of corn oil is the equivalent of 1.5 lbs of feed.
CONDITIONS THAT INCREASE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
LIGHT WORK: (frequent showing English & Western pleasure, bridle path hack)
25% increase from maintenance
MEDIUM WORK: (ranch work, barrel racing, jumping) 50% increase from maintenance
INTENSE WORK: (race training, polo, 3-day eventing, endurance riding) doubles
maintenance requirements
** Riding 2 times a week does not increase requirements **
GENERAL FEEDING GUIDELINES
1. Most horses will do well on 16-18 lbs of good quality hay per day (approximately 2% of body
weight). Less feed will be required if pasture is available (2 acres per horse).
2. Fresh water should be available at all times. Water is considered the most overlooked nutrient
of all. Estimates range from 4.5 to 7 gallons per day.
3. Grain is only necessary if horse's activity exceeds the ability of hay to meet its needs. Many
pleasure horses receive 5-6 lbs of grain and 10-12 lbs of hay daily, a ratio of 30:70 grain to
hay. This is probably more grain than is needed in most cases. Maximum ration for any horse
is 50:50.
4. A combination salt and trace mineral block should be provided to supply minerals that may
be low in hay and raw grains.
