Whether embarking on a short two week trip or fully immersing yourself in the nomadic lifestyle, it’s essential to take into account your horse’s dietary needs before hitting the road. Finding quality feed and hay while traveling with horses can be difficult at times, but with proper planning and knowledge, you can ensure the health and happiness of your equine companion during your journey. In this guide, I’ll share my own tips and insights from years of living on the road as a modern-day horse nomad.
Locate Feed Stores and Farms
Before embarking on your journey, it’s wise to do a quick online search for feed stores along your route or at your destination. In some parts of the country, particularly in the western states, it’s common for feed stores to also sell hay. It’s important to note that there may be differences in available feed brands and types depending on the region you are traveling through. To ensure consistency in your horse’s diet, it would be best to stick with large, national chain stores for concentrates (commonly referred to as grain). Additionally, hay will vary greatly by region, which can be concerning for any horse owner who knows the importance of gradually introducing dietary changes.
Network with Other Horse People While Traveling
Fellow horse enthusiasts can be great resources for recommendations, so don’t hesitate to check local social media groups, websites, and forums dedicated to equine care. Additionally, reaching out to local farms and equestrian centers can provide valuable information on where they source their hay.
Dealing with an Inconsistent Diet on the Road
Initially, I was very worried about the necessity of changing my horses’ diet so frequently during our travels. Over the years I have become much less concerned because my horses have shown me that they can handle it. I attribute my success to the following management and husbandry practices.
Forage-based Diet
Why is a forage-based diet important? Well, it’s because after water, fiber is the most important component of a horse’s diet. Hay, most pastures, beet pulp, legume hulls (such as soybean and lupin hulls), copra meal (coconut by-product), and seed hulls (like oat and sunflower seed hulls) are all high-fiber forages that provide a valuable source of energy and vital nutrients.
Conversely, high-grain equine diets are associated with several health concerns and inflammatory conditions, including colic, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, developmental orthopedic disease, allergies, laminitis, obesity and insulin resistance simply because the horse’s digestive system is not naturally designed to support a diet high in grain.
Grains, concentrates, and complete feeds can serve a purpose in certain situations. This is particularly true for horses in demanding stages of life but these foods should be utilized as a supplement to forage when it is not enough to meet their nutritional needs, rather than being seen as a necessary part of a horse’s diet. In fact, studies have shown that growth and athletic performance remain unfettered by diets rich in high quality fiber. So, not only is a forage-based diet healthier for your horse, it will make sourcing feed and hay while traveling much simpler.
Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies
The most effective and uncomplicated way to feed all horses is to provide them with high-quality forage and supplement any missing nutrients. This can be accomplished with a vitamin/mineral supplement or ration balancer.
Ration balancers are specialized feeds designed to provide essential nutrients to horses in a concentrated form without the added calories found in traditional feeds like grains or fortified concentrates. They are formulated to balance the diet of horses that consume hay or pasture as their primary source of nutrition. They provide a complete and balanced profile of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are crucial for overall health, growth, reproduction, and performance. While the initial cost of ration balancers may seem higher compared to traditional feeds on a per-pound basis, their concentrated formulation means they are typically fed in smaller quantities. This makes them a cost-effective option in the long run, as you’re paying for essential nutrients without excess fillers or calories.
Additionally, feeding smaller quantities means the feed will last longer when on the go, reducing extra trips to the store. Finally, ration balancers are suitable for a variety of horses, from those who maintain weight solely on forage to hard-working athletes requiring extra nutritional support.
Hay Alternatives Great for Travel
On occasions when hay bales are not available for purchase, I have to turn to other sources of forage that can be found in most feed stores. It’s important to provide long-stem forage for horses’ digestion, so my first choice is compressed hay bales from Standlee.
These bales weigh 50 pounds but have been squeezed into convenient little bundles. They are available in alfalfa, timothy grass, orchard grass, and an alfalfa and orchard mix.
Next, I reach for alfalfa cubes and timothy hay pellets, which I feed wet.
It’s important to limit the amount of alfalfa in a horse’s diet to 50% or less. Alfalfa, being a legume requires extra calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites from protein metabolism. If there isn’t enough calcium available, the body will take it from bones and muscles, leading to potential health problems.
If a horse is fed more protein than its body requires, it can lead to problems such as gastric indigestion, fermentation, and putrefaction in the hindgut. These issues can contribute to leaky gut syndrome and an excess build-up of toxic ammonia in the liver and kidneys. When on a high protein diet, horses may become overly acidic which can cause inflammation in different systems of the body, including the joints and hooves. They may also experience symptoms such as restlessness or anxiety. In extreme cases, even small amounts of alfalfa can be harmful for some horses due to their sensitivity towards it.
Despite common misconceptions about it, beet pulp is safe and has a low glycemic index. Adding one or two pounds (dry weight) of soaked beet pulp to a mix of hay cubes or pellets provides easily digestible fiber for horses.
All forages should be fed at a rate of 1.5-2% of a horse’s body weight, which translates to 15-20 pounds per day for a 1000 pound horse. While it is generally safe to feed the products I’ve listed dry, some horses may be more prone to choking when the pellets expand in their throat. To prevent this, I prefer to soak all feed before giving it to my horses. This also makes it easier to mix in salt and any necessary supplements.
The Importance of Water
Proper hydration is crucial in preventing colic. But when traveling or living on the road, how do you find water sources and convince your horse to drink it?
Finding Water Sources While Traveling
Most horse campgrounds provide access to water hydrants for their guests; however, this is not always the case. If boondocking (camping outside of designated campgrounds), consider using RV dump stations to acquire water. Many truck stops along interstates have easily accessible dump stations, some even free of charge. Keep in mind that there are typically two types of water at these stations: potable and non-potable. Your horses can drink from non-potable sources, but it is important that you have access to clean drinking water. Potable water sources are regularly tested for harmful bacteria and heavy metals, making them safe for human consumption.
Smaller gas stations may also have dump stations or hydrants available at the pumps. Even if they don’t, the building may have a water spigot that can be used for filling up. Always ask permission before using any external water source. I’ve received permission from various businesses such as hardware stores, mechanics, small grocery stores, and more. Most people will gladly assist when they hear you have animals in need.
Keeping my eyes peeled for water spigots has become second nature, and I never venture out without my trusty hose and containers at the ready. Municipal parks and trail heads may also offer access to water.
A quick internet search for “dump station near me” can show you all available options, including whether or not there is a fee and if the water is potable. There are also apps specifically designed for finding RV dump stations. Camping apps can be helpful as well. Personally, I like iOverlander for its dispersed camping information and water source listings.
Keep Your Horse Drinking Away From Home
“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” -Unknown
Ensuring your horse stays hydrated can be a challenge, especially if they are picky about the water they drink. As a solution, I feed my horses soaked hay pellets and beet pulp every day. This way, I know they are getting a good amount of water along with their feed.
Encouraging drinking is both an art and a science. While I shy away from sweetening water with sugary additives, I’ve embraced the trick of creating “sweet water” with rice bran—a concoction most horses find irresistible.
Sweet Water Recipe
- 5 gallons of water
- 1 cup stabilized rice bran powder or pellets
- Powdered electrolytes (dosage depends on manufacturer’s recommendation), optional
- ½ cup of Senior feed (or other “yummy” feed with molasses), optional
Always offer an additional bucket of plain water as well, especially if you’ve added electrolytes.
Salt and Electrolytes
Most people provide a salt block for their horses to lick, but unfortunately, they cannot meet their daily salt requirements before their tongues become sore. It is recommended for a 1,000 pound horse to consume at least two tablespoons of sodium chloride every day. This amount may increase in hot weather or during intense physical activity when the horse sweats heavily.
Once their basic daily needs are met, fluctuations in salt levels are what stimulates your horse to drink more water. This can be compared to how our own thirst increases after eating a bag of salty potato chips.
Travel stress, disrupted routines, and low-quality water sources all affect your horse’s normal water consumption rates. By doubling the daily salt intake for your horse, they will be more likely to drink an adequate amount of water which is crucial for gut movement and overall health.
Being proactive is key, so when anticipating a long trailer ride, strenuous ride, or sudden cold snap, slowly increasing their salt intake a few days beforehand can help them stay hydrated. Horses may be put off by a sudden increase in salt in their meals, so gradual changes are best. Up to four ounces of salt can be safely added to a horse’s daily diet.
Weed-Free Regulations
While traveling the country, it’s important to be aware of local regulations to prevent the spread of invasive species. Any federally owned land, such as National Forests or Bureau of Land Management areas, require weed-free hay and bedding that has been certified.
Most feed stores in these areas carry weed-free hay, especially in popular locations for horse packers and hunters. Standlee offers certified weed-free options in their compressed hay bales and hay pellets; just look for the “weed-free” label on whichever product you choose.
Additionally, the local USFS office might have a list of weed-free hay suppliers. You can also try the state’s Department of Agriculture for assistance locating certified hay.
Keys to Horse Health on the Road
When traveling with horses, it is crucial to plan ahead and be resourceful when it comes to finding feed and hay. Your horse’s health and well-being depend on it. Taking preventative measures such as soaking feed and providing salt can help prevent serious issues like colic. By doing your research, packing strategically, utilizing online resources, connecting with local horse communities, and remaining adaptable, you can confidently navigate the road with your horse’s nutritional needs covered no matter where your journey takes you. Wishing you safe travels and happy trails!
Sources:
1. Feeding Frenzy: An Equine Nutritional Revolution
2. Ringmark S, Revold T, Jansson A. Effects of training distance on feed intake, growth, body condition and muscle glycogen content in young Standardbred horses fed a forage-only diet. Animal. 2017.
3. Ringmark S, Roepstorff L, Lindhom A, Hedenstrom U, Jansson A. Reduced training distance and a forage-only diet did not limit race participation in young Standardbred horses. Animal. 2013.