Should I feed my horse from the ground?

Should I feed my horse from the ground? 

There has always been debate over the best way to feed your horse. Is it best to feed on the ground or is a hanging feeder a better option? Below we have a look at the pros and cons. 

Benefits of feeding on the ground: 

• Horses graze naturally for hours a day with their heads at ground level, so this is their natural foraging habit.  

• Eating with their head down is the natural alignment for a horse spine.  

• Promotes a health respiratory system. The grazing position allows the horses respiratory system to naturally drain helping to prevent unwanted health conditions.   

• Assists better digestion, chewing with their head at ground level promotes saliva production helping the digestive process. Saliva also acts as a natural buffering agent to the stomachs natural, but potentially harmful, acids.  

• Lowers the chance of choke for those horses that tend to eat a bit quick. Placing some larger rocks, bricks or even a salt lick block in the feeder can also help to slow down the fast eater.  

• Feeding on the ground can be essential for veterinary reasons as well. Horses that may have had some form of surgery or are prone to respiratory infections may have to be feed with a ground feeder, to allow proper drainage of their sinuses and respiratory tract.  

When may a ground feeder not be practical? 

• Ground feeders can tip over if you have a horse prone to putting their foot in their feeder and tipping it over 

• Clip on feeders can be a better choice for stables and yards, feeders aren’t getting knocked over or stepped on in smaller spaces.  

• In wet weather conditions, it can be a cleaner option to feed with a feeder on the fence to help keep the feed up and out of the mud.  

• Fence feeders may be easier to move if you are doing a lot of paddock rotation  

No matter what type of feeder you use, it does seem over the long-term feeding on the ground is a better option for you horses’ health. However, having the availability to use a feeder on the fence or stable wall is a good option for certain circumstances.