Feeding A Draft

Feeding a Draft Horse

Finding detailed information about what and how much to feed a horse can be an exhaustive search. When I was preparing for the arrival of my two and a half year old Clydesdale, Ajax, I wanted to make sure that I had everything I needed to get started on the right foot.

**Note: We are in no way affiliated with any of the companies mention. We are not advertising for them. These are personal preferences, as to what works with us and our horses. If you chose to follow our feeding procedures, you do so at your OWN RISK!!**

I am lucky enough to have experience with draft horses from a position where I trained and cared for horses at a Therapeutic Riding barn that had draft horses of all sizes and breeds which gave me a good jumping off point. I did a web search on feeding a draft horse – to see if I could add some more insight on keeping my big guy happy and healthy.  Every article I found was vague and non-committal.

I am going to play into the legality of today’s society and state that all of my advice is based on personal experience and should be referenced only as a guide to what works for my particular situation.

According to the Draft Horses: An Owner’s Manual by Valentine and Wildenstein, draft horses need to eat between 22,500 and 45,000 calories of food per day, depending on their size, work-load, and environment.  This works out to be about thirty five pounds of food. Most of the feed that draft owners favor has about 1000 calories per pound. First cut hay has about 800 calories per pound. The average sweet feed has about 1,300 calories.

Many draft owners do not feed their horses sweet feed at all. They find the high sugar undesirable and choose alternate ways to give the big guys the calories that they need. Personally, we have found that it is a positive part of the feeding process. My drafts love it. I only give them a handful and it is a good way to teach them to be respectful during feeding.

For example, when Ajax arrived he had been in a herd environment and was extremely pushy when feeding. We were able to train him by having him stand quietly away from his food dish while we put it in. I’d say ‘STAND!’ while he was being held near his door. Within a few feedings, he would automatically stand near the door during feeding. No force was required. The only reward – the half of a scoop of sweet feed that he gets on top of his gruel! Now, we can use the ‘stand’ command whenever anyone needs to approach him while in his stall.  

As for treats, we give apples and carrots. We also have some candy that we keep in the barn -- peppermints and gum drops, usually. Occasionally, someone will give us a bag of store bought treats. We use them sparingly. I'm not a big treat person. I think that giving a hug, pat, and kiss on the snout is usually enough of a reward. Ajax gets a lot of love and attention. If he gets too many treats, he forgets his manners and tries to shake people down. Turns out, a horse that weighs almost a ton who tries to stick his nose in peoples coats pockets is an undesirable thing. He forgets all rules of personal space and ground manners. 

I hate when people who we don't know stop and give the horses stuff. By the time I get out there to stop them, they're usually gone and then the horses have eaten stuff that I don't know what it is. It's a part of owning horses that everyone has to deal with.

During the summer, especially like the summer we had this year, grazing and hay were almost enough to sustain the diet. We still feed a half a scoop of sweet feed because he does really seem to love it. We also mix the garlic and ‘Go Max’ year round. Alfalfa pellets as needed.

Brands We Use -

Pennfield Signature Plus 10-10

Purina Equine Senior – Complete Feed

            (Combined together)

Farnam – Go Max
Platform Hoof Supplement
CountryMax Brand:
      Alfalfa Pellets 
      Shredded Beet Pulp with Molasses

Garlic Powder (found in bulk food stores)

Corn Oil (found in bulk food stores)

Note: Our scoops are equal to three quarts.

Summer Feeding

During the day –

            Pasture (weather permitted)

Free Choice of Quality First Cut Hay

            AM/PM Feeding

½ scoop of Sweet Feed Combo
1 tbsp of Garlic (once a day)
3 cups of Oil (once a day)

Winter Feeding

AM Feeding:

            1½ scoops of Alfalfa Pellets

            2 scoops of Shredded Beet Pulp with Molasses

            1 tablespoon of Garlic Powder

                        Mixed into a mash with the consistency of loose oatmeal.

½ scoop of Sweet Feed Combo (on top of the mash)

PM Feeding

            1½ scoops Alfalfa Pellets

            2 scoops of Beet Pulp w/Molasses

            2 ounces of ‘Go Max’ Vitamin Supplement

            Hoof Supplement

            3 cups of Corn Oil (at least)

                        Mixed into a mash

½ scoop of Sweet Feed Combo (on top of the mash)