Whilst these seem to have been set in stone for centuries they have actually been developed through a combined understanding of horse behaviour and how the horse's digestive system works. Experience has shown that the horse will thrive and perform better if we respect his psychological and physiological needs and follow as natural a course as possible.
 
1. Feed little and often
Remember the horse is a "trickle feeder" with a proportionally small stomach which is also fairly rigid. A large feed ie. more than 1 ½ "Stubbs" scoops (see page 30), will simply pass through the stomach more quickly, before the digestive process in the stomach is complete and risks causing problems further down the digestive tract. Dividing the total daily compound feed into as many smaller feeds as possible is much more natural and encourages more efficient digestion.
 
2. Feed plenty of forage
As the horse has evolved to live on fibre from vegetation, his gut needs a constant supply of forage in order to function correctly. Horses have evolved to spend a long time eating and forage in particular takes a long time to chew. Feeding plenty of forage to a stabled horse helps satisfy his need to chew and also to relieve boredom, reducing the risk of behavioural abnormalities, known as "stereotypies", such as weaving or wind-sucking developing.
 
3. Avoid making sudden changes to diet
The microbial population of the horse's gut comprises a balance of various species, each responsible for digesting different elements of the horse's diet. If a sudden change is made to the diet this microbial population can be disrupted resulting in the production of toxins from bacteria which die. These toxins can cause metabolic disorders (eg. laminitis) and digestive efficiency can be compromised, leading to colic or diarrhoea. A gradual change allows the bacteria to adapt and minimises the risk of metabolic or digestive upsets.
 
4. Keep feed buckets and scoops clean
Obvious really - smelly buckets put horses off eating! More seriously though, there is a risk of cross contamination where a number of horses are involved and one or more is receiving medication and especially if competing under Jockey Club or FEI rules.
 
5. Provide a clean, fresh water supply
Water is the most important nutrient - a lack of it will kill a horse far quicker than any other nutrient. 65-75% of a horse's bodyweight is water and it is needed to maintain body temperature, to lubricate joints and to transport nutrients around the body. It is also a constituent of saliva and other digestive juices. Horses are notoriously fussy and sometimes choose not to drink rather than to drink dirty water. With constant access they will rarely over drink.
 
6. Allow time after feeding before working
After a feed of compound feed, it's best to wait at least 1 hour before strenuous exercise/riding, otherwise the blood supply will be diverted away from the digestive tract to the muscles resulting in impaired digestion. A full stomach may also restrict the area in which the lungs can expand, reducing cardio-vascular efficiency.  
 
7. Feed each horse as an individual
Whilst the basis of each horse's diet should be forage, their requirements will vary according to work load, temperament and how efficiently they utilise their feed. A good doer in light work will have completely different requirements from a nervous Thoroughbred in hard work. The art is to achieve a balanced diet which meets the horse's requirements for work whilst maintaining healthy condition.
 
8. Choose good quality feed and forage
Forage should be mould and dust free to reduce the risk of respiratory disease. Hay may be soaked or haylage may be chosen for a higher moisture, lower dust content. Compound feed should be stored in clean, dry conditions out of direct sunlight and protected from contamination by vermin such as rats and mice. Products produced by reputable manufacturers are often more cost effective as their quality ingredients are cooked to ensure maximum digestibility.
 
9. Look after the system
Sharp edges on teeth make chewing difficult so the horse will swallow larger particles of food, resulting in choke in some cases, and reducing the efficiency of the digestion process. The horse may also waste food by dropping it from his mouth or "quidding". Worm damage results in scar tissue which can accumulate over a number of years, reducing the area available for the absorption of nutrients and making it difficult for the horse to maintain its weight and condition. Regular worming assists in promoting good condition throughout the horse's life.
 
10. Feed at regular intervals
The digestive system is not designed to be empty for any length of time. If a horse cannot have "ad lib" access to forage then feeding at regular intervals helps reduce the length of time the system is empty. Horses also thrive on routine and are happier knowing when and where their next meal is coming from!