SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/horse-feed-change-rate

When switching a horse to a new hay or grain, how much of the old feed should you replace at a time?

20 to 25 percent every other day.

Start playing free

  1. Half of it, every day
  2. All of it at once
  3. 20 to 25 percent, every other day ✔

Why: Gut bacteria need time to adjust to new feed. Sudden changes can cause colic or other digestive trouble. Go slowly and watch the horse.

Huh, didn't know that: UMN lists 'change feeds gradually' among its ten key rules for feeding a mature horse.

The dad joke
What do you call a horse that lives next door? A neigh-bor.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: 20 to 25 percent, every other day. Gut bacteria need time to adjust to new feed. Sudden changes can cause colic or other digestive trouble. Go slowly and watch the horse.

  1. Ten things you should know about feeding the mature horse, UMN Extension extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/ten-things-you-should-know-about-feeding-mature-horse
    Replace only 20 to 25 percent of your horse's current feed every other day when changing their hay or grain type.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Ten things you should know about feeding the mature horse, UMN Extension extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/ten-things-you-should-know-about-feeding-mature-horse
    Change feeds gradually.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

HorsesUMN Extension says each extra pound of whole grain or corn fed raises colic risk by about how much?HorsesWhat is the most grain a mature horse should get in one feeding, as a share of body weight?HorsesIn horses, what does the word colic actually mean?

That's stuff everyone should know.