Zena and the Need For Grass or Hay

A wild horse's diet consists of grass, shrubs, legumes (like alfalfa and clover) and water. Domesticated horses love grain, especially sweet feeds that mix oats, bran, molasses, corn and other favorites all together. But they also must have hay.  

Hay is a vital part of a horse's diet when he/she is kept in a stall with limited turn out. A horse's digestive system is designed to keep eating small amounts of food constantly, which keeps the stomach producing digestive fluids. Those juices do much more than just break down food. For example, when fiber, like that found in hay, is fermented by the digestive juices in the large intestine of the horse, it gives off heat as a by-product, which also helps keep the horse warm.

So if your horse cannot spend 10-12 hours a day outside grazing in a field, it is very important they are given access to good quality, clean, mold-free grass hay. More on the different types of hay tomorrow.

* Do you know which state has the most wild horses in America?