Horse Nutrition – Feed By Weight, Not Volume

Horse owners feed by volume which most will call a “scoop.”  This is irrational.  If we all decided to pick one size for a “scoop,” would that “scoop” of feathers weigh as much as a “scoop” of rocks?  Obviously not.  The density of the two are not the same.  It would take a lot of “scoops” of feathers to weigh the same as 1 “scoop” of rocks.

The same is true when measuring grain.  A volume of oats does not weigh the same as the same volume of corn.  In fact it would take about 2 volumes of oats to equal 1 volume of corn.  This is why corn got the reputation of being a “hot” grain.  The truth is that if the weight of oats and corn are the same, each produces the same amount of calories.

If you don’t believe this then just go to the grocery store’s cereal aisle.  Look at the nutritional information for Cheerios (oats), Corn Flakes (corn) and Wheaties (wheat).  They ALL have the same amount of calories per 1 ounce serving.  The energy of each is compared to each other using the same amount of weight.

If you still insist on feeding grain then feed by weight and not by volume (scoop).  The reason is that when your vet asks, “How much are you feeding?” you can answer with a weight because a “scoop” on one farm may be twice the size of a “scoop” on another farm.  But a pound (kg) is a pound (kg) on both farms.

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Feeding The Horse As Simple As 1-2-3

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