15/07/2025
Tech Tip Tuesday!
"The Horse" recently posted an article discussing proper feeding of a hard keeper during the summer. We thought we might share this article and some of the highlights!
Similar to feeding in the winter time when horses try to stay warm, the horse's body undergoes extra energy expendatures in the summer by trying to stay cool. However, feeding the hard keeper type can be tricky in the summer. In the wintertime, we tend to feed lots of forage; this creates heat during digestion in the cecum. Feeding extra proteins can cause the horse to produce extra heat which isn't the best for summer weather. It is important to select forage with lower protein levels. Legumes like alfalfa and clover are known for their higher protein levels. Also adjusting grain proteins can keep the horse in good body condition but not feeding in excess to cause a temperature imbalance.
Instead, consider increasing fats! Fat digestion doesn't produce as much heat as proteins do, in turn, keeping your horse a little bit cooler! Fats come in many forms but be sure not to overfeed them or add to the diet too quickly as diarrhea tends to be an issue.
As always, offering lots of fresh, cool water is always important for keeping your horse healthy.
For more information, see the attached article.
If your horse struggles to keep weight on in summer, here’s how to safely increase his calories.
