Free Choice Feeding vs Forage Always Available

[Patricia Woodbury-Kuvik]

Many of you have seen Dr. Getty's article advocating free choice feeding - "Bring Back the Horse's Instincts" in her October newsletter.

I think most of us know that allowing a horse to go without forage for any great length of time is associated with problems, but, if the horse is receiving a continuous supply of forage in adequate amounts, her "ten minute" guideline sounds a bit alarmist.

I also feel there is a difference between a horse on "free choice" - i.e. a large amount of hay available in front of him, vs "continuous forage" - hay dispersed over a track or large area, slow feeders, small mesh hay nets, etc.

Of course, whichever way you choose, "appropriate" hay is a must - good quality hay with sugar/starch levels, calories and protein appropriate for your particular horse. (I think the next time I hear someone say to feed an IR horse "poor" hay with "little nutrition" I will scream : )

IR horses also tend to have leptin resistance - leptin is the hormone that activates the "I'm full and can stop eating" switch - and many never get to the point where they will self-regulate.

What are your thoughts?  Have you tried free choice? slow feeders? multiple small meals? And what has worked best for your horse (or are you still trying to find what will work for you?).

Patti

Links - 

Dr. Getty's Article http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/Library/Bringbackthehorsesinstincts.htm

Comments from Dr. Kellon http://uckeleequine.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/free-choice-feeding/