Feeding before a ride - yay or nay?

[CobSunshine]

Just wanted to discuss this in more detail.

In another thread it was mentioned a horse with an empty belly will have acid slushing around in there which if then ridden can cause ulcers

I've also read its bad to ride straight after feeding?

Finally if grazed out 24/7 and coming straight off the field how would that effect your feeding before a ride decision?

 

[be positive]

If they are out at grass they will not have an empty tummy so less risk of ulcers, I would feed after work. Although I get mine in and feed before work but they tend to be in for the day in summer so are fed several hours earlier anyway and can eat haylage while waiting to be ridden.
If they are in mine generally have haylage pretty much ad lib so again should have no reason for acid in them to cause a problem, when out at shows I let them pick at haylage throughout the day to prevent a build up, a small amount of chop can help if they have a history of ulcers.

 

[Equilibrium Ireland]

Mine get fed in the am about 2 hours before riding. At the moment nobody is getting much in the way of grain. But when my mare is competing I opt for 3 or 4 feedings and keep it minimal in the Am. Then out to the bareish paddock with a little haylage while I do my chores. Then I ride. Normally the ones I'm riding are not on a field of lush grass. They can't handle it really, fatties. So even if I want to ride later I just bring them up to the bare paddock before riding for an hour.

No I don't want them having an empty stomach. But obviously not full of grass or concentrates either.

Terri

 

[celia]

I think it depends on what you're feeding and the amount/intensity of the work you're doing. Personally I'm happy to work a horse which has been eating fibre - so hay, grass, chaff - but would leave them for a while after having concentrates. I'm a happy hacker rather than a competition rider though! If I was working a horse in preparation for competition and therefore doing harder, faster work I would want less in their bellies so they can really use their lungs properly. I would be quite happy to let them have a couple of handfuls of chaff before they were tacked up though, to help buffer any acid, as you've pointed out.

 

[SO1]

It depends what you are feeding really. Horses are designed to be able to eat fibre such as grass and then be able to gallop off if a predator comes without any bad effects. However large feeds of cereals are a different matter altogether.

My pony lives out and if I bring him on to the yard for riding he has a small feed of a handful of chaff and handful of high fibre mix and supplements and a bit of hay before I ride. However if i am not riding I feed him by the field the same small feed but not the hay and quite often he gallops off when I put him back in!

 

[zaminda]

Horses are designed to have a constant access to food. Mine live out 24/7, so they don't get fed prior to exercise. If your horse still has hay left in the morning then it is less of an issue.
However, a high fibre non cereal feed is a good move for ulcer prevention.
Endurance horses eat in the vet gates then go straight out, as this has been found to benefit them

 

[Mince Pie]

I give a large single handful of chaff which they get whilst I am grooming so they have finished when I tack up. I have always done this and never had a problem, but I would never give mix/nuts etc. before riding.