Free-choice forage is the best way to maintain a horse unless there are specific health concerns. It helps maintain normal digestive health by, among other things, helping to move sand through the GI tract as well or better than the "sand clear" products on the market. Other things to do would be to feed up off the ground to help limit the intake of sand.

So filling up their feeder with hay if you can only go out once a day is a good idea. If weight becomes an issue then soaking the hay for 30 minutes in cold water prior to feeding will cut the carb content and thus the digestible energy available in the hay. If you do soak your hay, you should provide a vitamin mineral supplement as soaking also leechs some of nutrients from the hay.

Cindy D.
Registered Veterinary Technician

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