How many oats does a horse eat a day?

Answer 1

Oats should only be fed to horses in moderate or harder work, or those that have trouble keeping weight on. Some horses will no do well on oats and may develop laminitis/ founder, or any other number of problems could crop up.

The amount of oats fed will depend on the horse's age, weight, workload, and health status. There is no one amount of oats that is correct for all horses.

Answer 2

The amount of oats you should feed your horse greatly depends upon it's age, workload, health, and what the rest of it's diet consists of.
1. A horse in no to light work does not need oats. This kind of horse only needs hay and a vitamin and mineral supplement.
2. Pregnant mares could eat oats during the last trimester of their pregnancy when they are using more energy than hay can supply. You should consult with a equine nutritionist for the correct amount to feed.
3. Moderate workload; A horse in moderate work could eat oats, they typically do well with 3-6 pounds, broken down into meals of 3 pounds or less each. This should be fed with hay and a vitamin and mineral supplement.
4. Heavy work; Horses in heavy work can also eat oats, usually 4-8 pounds is usual, though some may eat more. Again, feed with hay and a vitamin and mineral supplement.
5. Hard-keepers; Horses that don't hold weight well can benefit from oats usually 1-6 pounds according to how much weight the horse needs. Likely though the horse will need more hay, a ration balancer, and some type of fat supplement.
Not all horses are capable of eating oats due to health issues, such as laminitis/ founder, insulin and metabolic disorders. Always consult with a equine veterinarian and a equine nutritionist on what is proper feed for each horse,

Answer 3

Oats are not completely suitable for weanling's on their own. A growing weanling needs the following nutrition: 15% protein/ 0.6% lysine/ 0.65% calcium/ 0.35% phosphorus, in their daily ration.

A high quality source of protein such as alfalfa hay is recommended to be fed in conjuncture with grass hay.

If you must feed oats then you need to mix it with a 30% protein supplement to round out the weanling's nutrition. A good recipe is 4-5 pounds of oats and 1.25 pounds of the 30% supplement along with all the grass/alfalfa hay the weanling will eat and of course free choice salt and water.