Back to Basics
Scoops Measure Volume, Not Weight
The directions on most feed bags
offer guidelines in terms of the number
of pounds (or kg) you should feed. If
you use a scoop to measure your horse’s
feed, how many pounds are you actually feeding? Are you assuming that
a 2-quart scoop, for example, offers 2
pounds (0.9 kg) of feed? This can be a
dangerous assumption.
16 • Walking On
Scoops provide volume – they
measure quarts or liters; they tell you
nothing about weight. Even those scoops
that offer weight measurements on the
outside are estimates at best, because it
depends on what you put in the scoop
that determines the weight. One quart
of marbles is going to weigh more than
one quart of cotton balls. By the same
analogy, one quart of oats is going to
weigh more than one quart of shredded
beet pulp.
Knowing how much you are feeding
is important for several reasons. First,
your horse can potentially become obese
from too many calories. Second, since
the stomach is relatively small, it can
only process a small amount of food
at a time, so supplemental meal size
should be limited to no more than 4 lbs
(1.8 kg) for an 1100 lb (500 kg) horse.
Finally, following the manufacturer’s
directions is the best way to ensure that
your horse is getting all of the vitamins
and minerals listed on the label, otherwise additional supplementation will be
important, and the only way to follow
manufacturer’s direc [ۜ