Feeds

[jenmac_85]

Hi,

I was wondering of anyone could tell me the difference between is heated and unheated feeds. Is it basically to do with how they are served or is it more complex than that. Or am I asking a really stupid question lol. I over heard a couple of people talking about heated nad unheated feeds and as I have only started working with horses recently I was unsure as to what it meant. Thanks in advance.

Jenny
x:D

[sheryl]

Heating and unheating feed has nothing to do with temperature, or how they are served.

Feeds that are heating contain food types that give the horse more energy. Some food types are more heating than others. You would generally only feed a heating (energy rich) feed, to a horse that needs more energy for work, or one that is underweight, and needs building up.

An example of heating feeds are: oats, barley, maize, peas.

Non heating feeds contain a lot more fibre, in the form of Chaff and pony nuts.

It is not a good idea to feed a horse a heating feed, if the extra energy isn't spent by the horse, as this can result in bolshiness, bad behaviour, and certain skin, and other problems.

Hope this explains it:)

[jenmac_85]

Thank you, that makes things a lot clearer. At least now I understand what they are talking about rather than smiling and nodding lol. Feeds and bits are the two areas that I find slightly more confusing but hopefully as I get ore experience I will understand them more.

:D