| Nutrition is very important when it comes to barrel | | | | be gotten through other natural sources such as |
| horses. They should not be fed the same as a horse | | | | alfalfa. Always follow the feeding recommendations on |
| that stays in a pasture and gets ridden a few times a | | | | the bag as to how much to feed each horse. Feed |
| month. Barrel horses are athletes and need adequate | | | | should be fed by weight. Each horse needs a different |
| nutrition. | | | | amount of feed according to their weight and |
| Hay | | | | performance level. |
| All horses need roughage either in the form of grass | | | | Feed can be found in the form of grains and pellets. |
| or hay. Some horses may need both if there is little | | | | Know what is in the feed before making a decision for |
| grass or the grass has low nutritional value. Roughage | | | | your barrel horse. Many feed manufacturers today |
| should make up most of the horse's diet. Feed comes | | | | offer comparable feeds in both grain mix and pellet |
| second and should be used to balance the diet. The | | | | forms. Plain oats are not adequate for a barrel horse. |
| best way to determine what your horse needs is by | | | | A barrel horse needs more fuel than plain oats can |
| having the veterinarian run blood tests once a year to | | | | offer. Choose a grain or pellet with a good protein |
| see if your horse is deficient in any way. Testing your | | | | percentage and one that is easily digestible. Pellet |
| hay is also a good way to know exactly what your | | | | feeds were not easily digestible until recently. They are |
| horse is getting. Take a sample of your hay to an | | | | now made to be broken down easily once eaten. This |
| agricultural extension office and they can usually have | | | | reduces the chance of colic and other digestive |
| it tested for free. This gives you a list of all of the | | | | problems. Some horses may prefer a sweet grain mix |
| qualities and nutritional value in your hay. From there, | | | | because of the taste, but can usually be slowly |
| take the blood tests from your veterinarian and | | | | switched to a pellet feed if you find that is the better |
| determine what kind of feed and supplements are | | | | choice for you. |
| needed. | | | | Supplements |
| Good quality grass hay is the best hay to use for | | | | Supplements are very common in the barrel horse |
| most of your horse's diet. Alfalfa can be fed, but is | | | | industry. There is a supplement available for just about |
| much higher in protein and can not be fed in large | | | | every thing. From hooves and coat to energy and |
| amounts like grass hay. One or two flakes of alfalfa | | | | weight builders, supplements can play a large part in |
| hay can be fed per day compared to three or four | | | | your horse's every day diet. |
| flakes of grass hay. If you choose to feed alfalfa hay | | | | Choosing a supplement should be a decision made |
| along with grass hay, you won't need as much grain. | | | | after talking to your veterinarian about your horse, not |
| Also, if your feed is a lower percentage feed, like 10%, | | | | using the newest thing on the market because a top |
| alfalfa can be fed to make up the difference needed | | | | barrel racer endorses the product. Supplements that |
| in your barrel horse. | | | | are not needed usually won't hurt, but can get very |
| Feed | | | | expensive. Supplements that claim to make your horse |
| Feed is a part of a barrel horse's fuel along with quality | | | | a better performer, faster or able to win more are |
| hay. Barrel horses are ridden a lot and need energy | | | | simply not true. Every horse will react slightly different |
| and stamina when on the road and when training at | | | | with different supplements. |
| home. A feed with 10% - 12% protein is good for a | | | | Providing your horse with a balanced diet is the start |
| mature barrel horse, but is not adequate for a futurity | | | | of a good barrel racing routine. Good nutrition gives |
| barrel horse. Younger horses need a higher | | | | your horse the edge he needs to perform to the best |
| percentage, such as 14% - 16%. This doesn't mean | | | | of his abilities. |
| you need a different feed, but the percentage should | | | | |