SUMMER FEEDING CONSIDERATIONS

When warmer weather arrives, your own diet may change, with green salads and fresh fruits taking center stage on the table. Your horse, however, doesn’t need such a seasonal adjustment to the menu. In fact, making a dramatic change to his diet based solely on the fact it’s summer could lead to colic or even laminitis. But there are some situations in which you might make minor adjustments to his ration.

For instance, if your horse’s pasture grazing time increases in the summer, he will need less hay to fill his gut and meet his nutritional needs. Horses with 24/7 access to good pasture may not need any hay at all during the summer months. Remember, however, that horses who are obese, have metabolic issues or a history of laminitis are better off with no pasture at all. The safest option for those horses is a well-fitting muzzle or confinement to a dry lot until pastures die back again in the late fall. Another downside to good pasture is weight gain. If your horse fattens up on grass during the summer months, cut back on his grain ratio accordingly. If he’s already not getting concentrates, a muzzle or dry lot is, again, a good option.

If your summer schedule is packed with trail rides, events and other activities, it’s possible that your horse needs an increase in concentrates to provide adequate energy. If your horse is extremely active or a “hard keeper,” watch his weight closely, taking pictures for comparison and using a weight tape to track changes in his physique. If necessary, you can increase his current concentrate slightly to offset any weight loss, but you’ll want to be careful to not overtax his digestive system with starch and sugars. You could also add calories safely by using corn oil or another fat-based supplement designed to help a horse hold his condition without risking an overload. Consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist if you’re unsure how much you can safely increase your horse’s feed.