-Food - Stabled horses in tropical countries

In the wild, horses eat continuously, grazing while moving and refilling their comparatively small stomach. But they never overloading it.

To work, Horse needs additional food, both bulk food for roughage (hay or grass) and concentrates for energy and body building (grains or ready made mixture). For the horses digestive system it is better to feed little and often. If this is not possible and they get energy food only twice a day, it is important that there is hay available. Especially during the night. So, the largest amount of hay should be given in the evening. The hay can be mixed with grass, or if a grass paddock is available, some hours during the day in the paddock would be nice. But that can not replace the hay, because tropical grass is not very nutritious!

It is absolutely necessary that horses have access to clean, fresh water at all times. And particularly before feeding. Even more in tropical climate! Horses drink in average 30 to 60 liter water per day, might even need more in tropical climate. If a horse is in the paddock more than 3 - 4 hours, there should be water too!

Feed according to the work done and size of horse. The temperament plays also a role. Some become excitable on oats and would do better with alternative form of energy. Sluggish horses benefit from energy giving foods and become more active. If the workload is changing, the amount of food should be changed too. Increase the roughage to compensate and decrease the energy giving food.

In tropical climate, it's advisable to have a saltlickstone in the stable, or a spoon full salt in each feed. Horses do sweat a lot more and are loosing minerals. Extra electrolyte are a must and in some areas extra calcium might be necessary!

If you have no paddock where your horse can be out grazing a few hours a day, you could graze your horse in hand for 15 or more minutes.

Feed something juicy every day, like carrots, a few apples, watermelon, sweet potatoes or bananas. An extra bundle of fresh grass will do as well.

Make sure you provide good quality hay. Not always easy to come by in tropical areas. Rainy seasons can be long and very wet. If the smell is musty, it might have been baled when it was still damp. Brown or dark yellow color indicates deterioration. both are not good and should be avoided. Horses with allergies, or with cough or colds, need their hay be soaked. Best is to immerse the hay in clean water or use a hose and soak it throughly. Let it drain little and then feed it to the horse.

The food trough or bowl has to be kept clean. same as the water bucket!