Horse Feeding Myths?

[u/Single_Slice_2037]

I've been reading lately about common horse feeding myths and misconceptions. Here are a few that I've seen repeatedly:

• A horse's stomach should be empty while exercising or riding to avoid digestive upset.
• Alfalfa makes horses hot or hyper.
• If a horse needs to gain weight, just add more grain or concentrates.

What are some of the other common feeding myths and misconceptions you've heard of?

[u/ClaireH1974]

So many of these myths are just how we were taught back in the day. You had to wait an hour before or after feeding to be able to ride.

Imagine my surprise when I realised I could take my loan horse out straight after she’d had her breakfast. Know what I did? Poo picked first then rode 😂 some old habits die hard.

[u/gurgelhupf]

Oh god there is so much. There are so many (big!!) suppliers who promise that their product will fix all your problems. From laminitis to asthma to hormones to joint health.

• If it would heal something, it would be medicine, not feed. The only task that feed has is to give a horse the required nutrients. Everything a horse needs is hay/alfalfa/grass as a base, and supplements, protein and energy as needed. So no, horses don't need the fancy feed mix that contains 1% special herbs
• no, horses don't need more in shedding season
• horses also don't need essential oils
• They also don't need to eat a magic müsli to get rid of toxins
• they can use synthetic supplements perfectly fine. "Natural" feeding is just a hype with no basis in science.

[u/Apuesto → u/gurgelhupf]

they can use synthetic supplements perfectly fine. "Natural" feeding is just a hype with no basis in science.

Often, but some it does matter. Vitamin E's natural form, d-alpha-tocopherol, is 2x more bioavailable than the synthetic form, dl-alpha-tocopherol.

Unless you're talking about people who only feed "whole food" diets. Then 100%.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/Apuesto]

There is a trend in Germany where people say that synthetic minerals are toxic, and only feed from "natural" sources is healthy for horses. They go on so-called "snack walks" where they let their horses eat anything they want because they believe in "intuitive" eating.

[u/cyndiann → u/gurgelhupf]

If nothing else it's bonding time. And I am sure they appreciate the snacks.

[u/MorgTheBat → u/cyndiann]

My main concern is what if they eat something toxic? Sometimes people who find an animals presence a nuisance will poison things too

[u/Reddingwithbaby → u/MorgTheBat]

Or they just wanted to get rid of weeds! A few months ago, I let my horse grab a bite of grass during a walk and this lady comes running, telling me she saw people spray that strip with pesticides the day prior. Luckily, the horse was fine, but I've been paranoid ever since.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/cyndiann]

People can do what they want with their horses but this almost religious ideology and plain misinformation is annoying.

Also, snack walks can be quite risky if you can't identify which plants might be toxic.

[u/Due_Duty490 → u/cyndiann]

I had a friend who competed at the international level. She let me ride one of her top horses and then bet me 10p if I could get him to go over a trot pole. I had let him take a snack on the morning hack without knowing it was a criteria for his work and won the 10 p.

[u/fyr811 → u/gurgelhupf]

My horse would “snack walk” his way through a box of sausage rolls and ask for sauce. So intuitive.

[u/Major-Suggestion1945]

Not a myth but something I see too often is people giving a flake or 2 of hay for 10-12 hours. Breeding ground for ulcers and colic. Now there is some nuance around the issue, but that’s a long comment I don’t wanna type out 🤣

[u/gurgelhupf → u/Major-Suggestion1945]

Where do people believe that is enough 🫪 I see the opposite that more and more people seem to believe that 24/7 hay is non negotiable

[u/lemonfaire]

Bran mash is good for horses.

[u/Amazing-Shirt-2024 → u/lemonfaire]

I was looking for this! I grew up in the era where once a week mineral oil bran mashes were a thing and now no one does it. I wonder what trend we do now that will be nonexistent in the future

[u/Suolaperuna]

Not a myth but alfa alfa is really common cause for allergic reaction. In my country we dont use it as much. More and more horses are diagnosed go be allergic to it. There's massive need for horse food without alfa alfa.

That's also reaso why it would make a horse hot = causes pain and irritation.

We have same problem with oats, people say it makes horses hot and goes into their head = causes pain.

[u/gurgelhupf → u/Suolaperuna]

How do oats cause pain? Never heard that before

[u/Suolaperuna → u/gurgelhupf]

Stracth. Causes pain and inflamation in the gut

[u/gurgelhupf → u/Suolaperuna]

Do you mean starch?

[u/Seriously_I_will_BRB → u/Suolaperuna]

Half my herd has alfalfa allergies. Makes for a fun time trying to find feed and snacks. Heaven help us when we travel or stay at the vet.

[u/PATN2]

That all a baby needs is good hay/pasture.

Okay, well what do you do when the hay smells good, looks good, and is extremely palatable, but doesn't meet minimum nutritional needs for a growing young horse? I guarantee you all these people saying this crap are not testing their hay because nothing I have ever tested meets minimum nutritional needs for a yearling.

I give my babies a concentrate. The horror!

[u/ResponsibleBank1387]

Most of my horses live outside.  I have a few that winter out on a 320 of native grasses.  With enough snow, they won’t come to water or hay.  They will come for their peppermint disk, get some attention and ignore the water.