Horses have a healthy appetite, and need plenty of hay, grass, oats, vitamins, and water. Most horses are content with being fed twice a day. You wouldn't think it, but horses have rather small stomachs and can only eat small amount at a time. When a horse feeds on hay or grass, these staples help a horse to digest food a lot easier. Contained in the hay, are ample amounts of protein, vitamins, calcium, and fiber. You can expect a healthy horse to eat a bale of hay each day.

The grains you give your horse will give it a lot of boost and energy, and how hard your work you horse will usually determine how much grain will go into their daily diet. A safety benefit to consider is feeing your horse at floor level; and there's a good reason for this. Horses normally graze in a heads-down position, and this allows for a slower rate of consumption-which means in the long run nutritional benefits are increased. It's healthier for a horse to eat in the heads-down position as well because they become more careful in their chewing. They get more saliva mixed with their food, and greater airway drainage. This means there's less of a chance of inhaling dust particles.

If you have a lively horse, and it paws while feeding and scatters the hay and grain, make sure you install a "box" that houses hay at floor level for your horse. Make sure that the feeding equipment is safe. If it's designed poorly or has any sharp edges, the animal can be injured.