Horse glossary
Feed
Food given to horses, often measured.
In Spanish: Alimento
What it means
Feed is any food given to a horse, but at the barn it usually means the measured meals of grain, pellets, or other concentrates that go in the feed bucket. Hay and pasture are called forage. Many horses get only a small amount of feed, or a vitamin and mineral balancer, on top of their forage.
Why it matters
Each horse's feed is planned for its size, age, and work. Too much grain at once can cause colic or laminitis, and horses cannot vomit, so a mistake in the feed room can become a veterinary emergency.
Example
Only adults should measure feed.
Try this
Read the feed chart on the stall or feed-room wall and follow it exactly, or let an adult do the measuring. Keep feed bins closed and latched so a loose horse can't get in and overeat.
Common mistake
Changing feed suddenly is a classic mistake. A horse's gut needs time to adjust, so new feeds are usually mixed in gradually over a week or more.