Q&A: Feeding a Just-Started Horse

Question: What type of grain do you recommend for a 4-year-old Paint that’s just started training? She gets oat hay in the morning and alfalfa at night.

Clinton’s Answer:

Most people’s problem with their horses is that they are overfed and underworked. They feed their horses way too much and don’t work them nearly enough.

When I start my colts, I put them on a high-quality hay diet for the first two to three weeks. They don’t get any grain. I’d rather the colts lose a little bit of weight than be so full of beans they can’t concentrate on what I’m trying to do with them. I want to ride the horse, not the feed.

Initially, most horses are going to lose some weight when you first start riding them because they’ve never been worked before. After two to three weeks, when they’re comfortable with the saddle and a rider and are responding well, then you can slowly start to introduce grain to their diet and gradually bump up the amount you feed as needed.

Just remember, if you overfeed your horse, she’s going to come out of her stall full of energy, and you’re going to have to work that silliness out of her. If I have a naturally hot, feely, reactive type of horse, he may never get any grain. You must feed grain according to the horse’s energy needs. If you’re unsure how to do that, work with your veterinarian to develop a good nutritional program for your horse.

I always tell people that a tired horse is a good horse. I’ve never seen a tired horse get anyone into trouble. Have you ever noticed that when horses are having a fun time, we’re usually not? They’re kicking, bucking and snorting, and we’re hanging on for dear life. However, when our horses aren’t having much fun, we’re having a great time. They’re not looking around, spooking, running off, etc.

I’m not saying that I don’t want my horse to like his job, but I want him to understand that it’s just that: a job. When I get on his back, he needs to realize that it’s not time to goof off or look around or play. It’s time to pay attention, do his best and learn what I’m trying to teach him.