Six Ways to Slow Horse Feed Intake

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Credit: Thinkstock Horse owners often search for ways to reduce the amount and speed at which horses graze or eat grain. Here are some tips!





3. Specialized Grain Feeders Researchers from Texas A&M University tested a newly designed feed bucket (Pre-Vent Feeder) and determined that the bucket slowed grain consumption and reduced grain spillage. Horses spent 21 to 60 additional minutes eating grain from the feeder compared to a bucket or tub. However, most horses could not fully consume all grain from the feeder resulting in the need for frequent washing. In a separate study, researchers from North Carolina State University developed a waffle structure that was inserted into a feed bucket. They concluded the waffle insert increased grain consumption time by nearly 50% compared to a bucket without the waffle insert.



6. Feeding Order Many people believe that feeding hay before grain slows feed intake. Research by Purina Animal Nutrition confirmed this belief and determined that horses consumed grain slower when hay was fed 20 minutes before the grain meal. When hay was fed before grain, grain consumption was 0.3 pounds per minute compared to 0.4 pounds per minute when hay and grain were fed simultaneously.


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