Soaking Feed
Many horse owners feed their horses pelleted or cubed products dry, whilst fed in small quantities this does not usually cause a problem, but problems can arise when larger amounts are given dry.
By their very nature pellets or cubes will expand when water is added just as breakfast cereal does when you add milk to it, the danger is that feeding your horse dry cubes is just like us trying to eat dry crackers! There is a real danger of your horse choking as the dry cubes expand as the horse chews them and these can become lodged in the oesophagus. Although choke is not usually life threatening it is very distressing for both owner and horse and unfortunately once a horse has suffered an episode of choke it does make the horse more susceptible to further episodes.
For this reason cubed feeds should always be mixed with plenty of water before feeding to allow them to absorb the water and expand before the horse eats them. It is particularly important for any horse that has suffered from choke in the past to soak all feeds well prior to feeding this will help to ensure that feed does not become lodged in the oesophagus.
In the wild the horses natural diet would consist of mainly grass which contains a high percentage of water, but often our horses are provided with a diet that is lacking in moisture. By mixing your feed with plenty of water you are adding extra moisture and mimicking the horses natural diet.
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