NEWYHS444

FEEDING l the CAFETERIA SYSTEM
our expert
NIKKI MEGGISON is
an independent equine
nutritionist and has a
BSc (Hons) in equine
science. Find out more
at equinenutritionist.info.
PHOTOS: BAUER LIBRARY
Cafeteria system explained
“Cafeteria-style feeding isn’t complicated,”
explains Nikki. “It’s basically providing
your horse with a selection of forage
feeds to pick at, giving him some control
over what he eats and when. It works
equally well whether he’s in the stable
or out in the field.”
If your horse is turned out with others,
they’ll all need to be on the same system,
so check that the forages you’re feeding are
suitable for all, and always put out more
piles of forage (or buckets of processed
forages and soaked nuts) than there are
horses, otherwise they may tussle over it.
Spread out the feeds as much as you can
too, to give them plenty of room.
“Most horses in a small, established herd
will have no problems with this, although
for you it does make it more difficult to
know exactly what your horse has eaten
and how much,” says Nikki.
november 2018 your horse 63