What food do ponys eat?

Answer 1

Horses are grazing animals and forage feed is necessary for the proper functioning of their digestive system, as it is their most natural diet:

* Apples and carrots - they are relished by most horses

* Barley - this should be boiled or soaked for at least two hours before feeding as it swells when wet, which prevents it swelling in the horses stomach which can cause problems. It can be fed dry if rolled and crushed first, and is good for older horses

* Bran - is easily digested

* Chaff - adds bulk to food and prevents the horse from bolting down its good too quickly

* Cod Liver Oil - is a useful supplement to help build up resistance to disease

* Eggs - these are a good source of protein and one or two fed daily can be useful to a hard-working horse

* Horse nuts or mixes - these are specially prepared foods, comprising many of the basic feeds, there are different types designed to meet the nutritional needs of various horses with different exercising routines

* Linseed - is high in protein and only a handful should be fed with a feed. It is poisonous raw so MUST be cooked first

* Maize - this should be flaked and cooked to make it easier to digest

* Molichaff or Mollichop - is a mixture of chaff and molasses, used to add bulk to the food and the molasses makes it more appetising

* Oats - they are easily digested if fed crushed, rolled or cooked. They are a high energy food and excessive feeding of oats can cause exuberance in some horses

* Root vegetables - such as beetroot, carrots, parsnips, swedes and turnips can be fed but in small quantities. They should be cut into strips, rather than round pieces as they can become lodged in the throat. Shredded vegetables are also avoided by worms.

* Salt - fed in small quantities in the feed helps to aid digestion

* Seaweed - is good for young horses

dont forget alfalfa and oat hay!

Horses should be fed at regular times and should be given a few hours between a hard feed and carrying out strenuous exercise.

Water should always be available to both the grass kept and stabled horse or pony and it is particularly important that it is available prior to feeding