When the rain stops and the pastures turn to dust, horse owners face a significant challenge: keeping their equines healthy and well-nourished. During a drought, natural grazing disappears, leaving you to manage nutrition entirely through stored feed. If you are wondering how to feed horses during drought effectively, you aren't just managing a budget—you are managing your horse’s survival.
Without adequate forage, horses face high risks of colic, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies. This guide provides a strategic approach to maintaining your horse’s condition when the grass runs out.
Assessing Your Forage Availability
Before you change your feeding routine, you must accurately assess what is left in your fields. During a drought, pastures become "overgrazed," which can lead to horses ingesting dirt and sand, increasing the risk of sand colic.
If your pasture height is less than three inches, it is no longer providing sufficient nutrition. In fact, keeping horses on a decimated pasture can do more harm than good. You should consider moving them to a dry lot or a dedicated feeding paddock to prevent them from eating weeds and debris.
How to Feed Horses During Drought: Key Nutritional Strategies
When your primary pasture source vanishes, you must bridge the gap with alternative high-fiber feeds. Here is how to maintain a balanced diet when the landscape turns dry.
1. Prioritize Quality Hay
Since your horse can no longer graze, high-quality hay becomes the foundation of their diet. Aim to feed 1.5% to 2% of their body weight in forage daily. If hay prices have spiked due to the drought, prioritize the most vulnerable animals: * Growing foals and yearlings. * Lactating mares, who have increased caloric needs. * Senior horses with poor teeth or metabolic issues.
2. Introduce Alternative Fiber Sources
If hay is scarce or prohibitively expensive, you can supplement with other high-fiber products. Beet pulp (shredded or pellets) is an excellent "super fiber" that is highly digestible and provides extra hydration when soaked.
Other effective fiber alternatives include: * Soybean hulls: A digestible fiber source often found in commercial feeds. * Alfalfa cubes or pellets: These can be used to replace part of the hay ration, but they are often higher in protein and calcium. * Rice bran: Useful for adding calories without increasing the grain load significantly.
3. Don't Forget Hydration
A common mistake during a drought is focusing only on calories while overlooking water. Horses consume significantly more water when eating dry hay compared to lush pasture. Ensure your water troughs are clean, functional, and accessible.
A horse that does not drink enough is at high risk for impaction colic. If you notice your horse is drinking less, consider adding electrolytes to their feed or water, or soaking their hay/grain to increase their moisture intake.
Managing Costs Without Compromising Health
Learning how to feed horses during drought often involves balancing your checkbook with your horse's welfare. Bulk buying is your best friend. If you have the storage space, try to secure a season's worth of hay early before prices peak.
If you must stretch your feed supply, prioritize calorie-dense feeds. Commercial complete feeds or "ration balancers" can provide essential vitamins and minerals that are often missing when the diet is limited to low-quality hay. By providing a balancer, you ensure your horse gets the micro-nutrients they need, even if their forage intake is slightly restricted.
Monitoring Body Condition
Throughout a drought, perform a weekly body condition score (BCS) check. Look at the ribs, tail head, and crest of the neck. If you notice your horse losing weight, act immediately. It is much easier to prevent weight loss than it is to put weight back on a horse once they become ribby or thin.
If you are struggling to maintain weight despite feeding, consult with an equine nutritionist. They can help you calculate the exact "digestible energy" your horse needs to survive the dry spell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to let my horses graze the "roots" of the grass during a drought?
No, this is dangerous. When horses graze right down to the root, they ingest large amounts of sand and dirt. This leads to sand accumulation in the digestive tract, which can cause severe, potentially fatal, sand colic. It is better to move them to a dry lot and feed them hay.
Can I replace all my hay with grain to save money?
You should never replace hay entirely with grain. Horses are hindgut fermenters and require long-stem fiber to maintain proper gut motility and digestive health. Replacing hay with grain significantly increases the risk of ulcers, colic, and metabolic disturbances.
How much water should a horse drink per day in a drought?
On average, a horse needs 5 to 10 gallons of water per day. During a drought, especially if the weather is hot, this can increase to 15-20 gallons. Always ensure fresh, clean water is available 24/7.
What are the signs of impaction colic caused by dry feed?
Watch for signs of discomfort such as pawing at the ground, looking at the flanks, rolling, or lying down in an unusual position. If your horse stops eating or producing manure, contact your veterinarian immediately, as dry forage can lead to blockages in the intestines.