My dad has a horse we keep in our backyard inside a stable. He insists on putting a bucket of water in front of him in the morning to allow him to drink until he stops, then puts his food out and brings the bucket back in. We used to leave the bucket in the stall but our horse kicks it down and causes a nasty mess everywhere. At night we do the same thing. Water at first, then food. I just wanted to confirm with someone who knows better that this is the right thing to do to maintain a livestock horse. Thank you

he needs unlimited access to water 24/7. He also needs time turned out in a field or large pen. He should also have access to forage of some sort 24/7 – either grass or hay of some sort. The diet should be mainly forage with only a little hard feed. If you only feed the horse twice a day then he will get an ulcer.
If the horse kicks the buckets around then screw them to the wall or tie them to a fence post so he can't. He probably throws a tantrum cause he has no turnout time – horses are nomadic creatures – they need open spaces to walk around in. A general rule is 2 acres for the first horse then at least 1 more acre per extra horse, but thats a minimum size of field.

Filed under: horse

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