Don't know much about Horse Feeding...

Well, I am probably getting a horse this next month, if he passes the vet check..

Anyways, the previous horse we owned, we boarded her, and they fed her.. so I know barely nothing about feeding horses..

The horse I'm looking at.. is 16.1hh, BIG wb/draft/qh? His breed is unknown.

In the summer/spring, he would have access to an acre of pasture. He would be worked at least 4 days a week.

In the fall/winter, he would be kept in a small paddock. Let out on the pasture, to run around in the snow, for a couple hours a day. He would get worked at least 3 days a week.



Anyways, what sort of food should I feed him?
Alfalfa hay, grass hay, timothy grass hay, mixture?

Is it necessary to feed pellets and grain?

Tell me everything there is to know about feeding horses! thanks!

Ask the sellers what they feed him now, and if he looks good, continue that :)

Haha. Stupid me :P I never thought of that!

His weight is great! But, his mane is all wrecked.. I'm not sure what that's from.. its got barely any hair, and their in patches around, some spots only have a couple strands of hair.
Does that have to do with what they're feeding him?
Thanks :)

Not likely, he's probably sticking his head through a fence, that causes that unfortunately.

Could be.
The owners said he has never had a good mane.. but he will when I get him!
I heard some sort of lavender oil is supposed to help?

Baby oil is supposed to help as well. It makes my friends horses tail really thick and beautiful. She does'nt use it on his mane though so I dunno if it will help there

Okay thank you! I will have to try it :)
Sooo excited for saturday!

Baby oil actually attracts dirt and clogs the pores - which will cause the horse to itch.

The hair loss could be due to a lack in his diet. Even horses at a good weight can be lacking in nutrition.

I would have him on Timothy or Grass hay when you need hay. For his "feed", I would feed him alfalfa pellets, flax (milled or whole, 1/2-1 cup), and a vitamin supplement designed for horses not on any fortified grains. I have had good luck with GrandVite and Nurti-Plus++ (1 oz serving).

You should not need to feed any grains or pelleted feeds with the above diet. You might also put our a plain or mineral salt block.

For itching, wash his mane and tail with betadine scrub twice a week until you notice he's not itching it anymore. Also put a topical on frequently that kills bacteria and fungus. I like Aloe Advantage's Wound Cleaner spray:
Equine First Aid Care with Aloe Vera - Aloe Advantage