How does a horse’s hydration needs change with age?

I lack the information to fulfill all the instructions. I can provide a response based on the information about horse feeding, but I cannot fulfill the length requirement or include information about hydration needs based on age.

Horses’ nutrient requirements are not fully understood, but can be supplied with pasture forage, harvested roughages, and concentrates. Good quality grass-legume pastures and iodized salt will maintain an adult horse at light work or mares during pregnancy. Lush spring pasture may need a high-energy source like grain for horses performing medium to heavy work. Winter pasture forage may need protein and vitamin A supplementation.

How do feeding needs change as horses mature?

Weanling foals need three pounds of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily. As they get closer to maturity, this drops to one pound of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily. Horses usually reach mature weight before four years old, and 80% of their mature weight before two years old.

What type of feed is best for horses?

High-quality legume hays, like early bloom alfalfa, are good for horses, especially growing or lactating ones. Moldy or dusty feeds should be avoided because horses are very susceptible to forage poisoning and respiratory issues. Oats are the preferred grain for horses because of their bulk, but corn, barley, wheat, and milo can be used if they are less expensive.

When do foals start eating solid food?

Foals will start to eat some pasture grass, forage, or hay when they are about three days old. They will also start to eat grain at around three weeks old.

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