Long fiber? hay or hay silage? should preferably be provided before the concentrate feed for several reasons. By ingesting the hay first, the horse will eat the concentrated food more slowly and will be able to digest it better, ending up making better use of its nutrients. Fiber stimulates gastric motility so, when given after the concentrated food, it ends up accelerating its speed in the small intestine, reaching the contents more quickly in the large intestine; this is not desirable as it can cause intestinal acidity and dysbiosis, which can lead to the development of colic or laminitis.
Should hay be given before or after concentrate feed?
by trace-admin | Nov 2, 2021