how long before feeding

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mogs22

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This might seem a silly question but I have always added water to horses feeds just before giving it to the horse, however, some people add water the night before, so they do not have to bother in the morning, which I personally would not do as I prefer to think the feed then is fresh if you add the water as late as possible, the question is - would you give feeds with water added to it 24 hours before feeding? the feed consists of Alfa A and top line cubes, I thought the feed would not seem as appetising to the horse if it is mulshed pulp
 
Just looking to see if I am being overly fussy as I have a horse on loan to someone in same yard, which is very convenient. Sometimes when she is away I have to look after him, but I am not happy that he is eating what I class as stale food - or am I wrong??
 
No, i personally would add water just before feeding. Nothing to do with being appetising but for safety. Food left wet for 24 hours could encourage mould or other deterioration, especially in warm weather
 
would definitely dampen feed just before feeding otherwise it could start to go mouldy or ferment which can cause colic (especially if the weather is warm)
 
Thank you all so far, the ironic thing is that my best horse - useless but favourite - has just had colic surgery, and she feeds him at 5.30am each morning, although she did give him dry hay this morning as she was in a hurry!!!! strict instructions to wet anything he eats.
All feeds/hay to be wet just before feeding, we even discussed yesterday the fact that the loan horse will not eat soaked hay but will if damped down and drip free just before feeding, as she now has to chuck out lots of hay he leaves - I am still paying for it all until May 1st.

Just wanted to see if I was going over the top careful - last loan person lasted 2 weeks before I said was not happy with lack of feed/bed, horse lost weight, sores on hocks from floor.

Do I find new loan home and have him not on the same yard so that I keep my nose out of things, I am an ex groom of 15 years and dealt with youngsters and hunters mainly. Have many years 'old school experience'.

Can see how I must drive them mad with interfering but am only concerned with safety issues not some of the other things which also annoy but I can live with.
The horse does not go without and is kept to high standard with regards always spotless clean, clean large bed etc. Apart from this latest find, am happy with her having him long term
 
If you are happy apart from this i would just tell her, firmly, that it must not be wetted hours before. And tell her why. She shoul respect your wishes. Also, you need to be very firm about wet hay for the colic surgery horse, short of time or not that could have been very serious and she needs to know it.
 
I should add that the horse has a history of stomach ulcers too. I am about to give him Acid - X which worked a few months ago, as he is showing signs of discomfort again
 
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