Should I Feed my Horse from the Ground?

Should I Feed my Horse from the Ground? 

Hay net on the fence? Feed bin on the ground? There are plenty of opinions about the “right” height to feed a horse, but does feeding position actually matter? 

The short answer is yes, it can! 

From a nutritional and digestive perspective, horses have evolved to spend a large portion of their day grazing with their head lowered. While there are certainly situations where elevated feeding is useful, feeding in a more natural head-down position can have several advantages. 

For most healthy horses, forage provided at a safe, low level is generally the most natural feeding position. When we think back to a natural environment, horses can spend many hours each day grazing and browsing. This means their head and neck are frequently lowered while they chew and swallow. When possible, providing forage at or closer to ground level helps replicate this natural feeding behaviour. 

Potential benefits include: 

• Encouraging a more natural head and neck position. 

• Supporting normal chewing and swallowing. 

• Allowing a natural drainage of respiratory secretions. 

• Promoting natural grazing behaviour. 

• Potentially reducing unnecessary strain associated with repeatedly eating from an elevated position. 

Where feeding from the ground may become tricky is in sandy, muddy or undesirable environmental conditions. Horses can inadvertently consume sand and soil while picking up hay or concentrate, particularly when trying to collect every last piece of feed. Whilst small amounts may pass through, over time, significant sand accumulation within the gastrointestinal tract can evolve. This can contribute to digestive problems, including sand colic. 

Further, in wet weather conditions, feeding directly on to mud (or even water in some severe we weather cases) can cause feed spoilage, which can also cause digestive upset. 

If your paddocks or yards are subject to these conditions, consider: 

• Using a large rubber feed mat 

• Feeding from a wide, shallow tub 

• Using a low-positioned slow feeder. 

• Placing hay on a clean, solid surface. 

You should avoid scattering hard feed directly onto any undesirable ground. Afterall, the goal isn’t to feed from the dirt! It’s to encourage a lower, more natural head position while keeping the feed clean and safe. 

What if my horse is stabled?  

 The stable environment certainly adds a new layer to the height equation! Whilst we still must consider the aforementioned traits, we must also factor in safety in the more restricted environment. Stables are naturally smaller in size, which can mean on the ground feeders not only take up valuable room, but can also become a source of injury with horses more likely to stand, roll or even sleep on them. Similarly for hay nets, we must factor the risk of our horses rolling or even getting cast, ensuring that heights are as clear from this danger zone as possible.  

Similarly to our concerns regarding sand and soil, bedding can also play a part. Shaving, straw and sawdust can be equally as undesirable when consumed in unplanned amounts. Further, they do generate a considerable degree of dust, which again, is not favourable for the respiratory tract!  

Thus, with all that considered, the best advice is  

• Choose a height that is a happy medium; comfortable but also safe! 

• Avoid feeding above wither height 

• If you are feeding from the ground, consider removing feeders after horses are finished  

• Keep feed areas well ventilated 

• Reduce stable dust by keeping bedding clean 

• Reduce feed dust by wetting down feed or supplying a mash 

• Reduce hay dust by choosing high quality varieties, or consider steaming or soaking where appropriate.  

In summary, aim to make feeding as natural as reasonably possible in all situations. This doesn’t mean throwing every meal straight onto the ground!  

Instead: 

• Encourage a comfortable, lowered head position. 

• Keep feed away from sand, manure and mud. 

• Minimise respiratory exposure to dusty forage. 

• Place feeders in positions that don’t pose a safety risk. Balance natural behaviour with safety at all times.  

• Adjust feeding systems for each individual horse, considering their height, environment and any specific health ailments.