Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hello Julie,
I'm very sorry to hear about the stressful situation your horse is enduring. Your instincts are correct -- he is definitely hungry.
It never ceases to amaze me how many barn managers think that you can feed a horse much like you would a dog or a person -- a few "meals" per day and hours in between without anything to eat. Horses are designed very, very differently and their digestive systems REQUIRE forage 24 hours per day.
First, they need to chew to produce saliva. This is because their stomachs continuously produce acid and saliva acts as a natural antacid. So, if they have nothing to eat, they will start to chew on anything to produce the much needed saliva. They are in pain due to the excess acid and eventually, they will develop an ulcer.
Secondly, going without anything to eat impairs the motility of the gut, which can lead to colic.
And, lastly, going without anything to graze on for hours is stressful, leading to the release of cortisol (a stress hormone). This can lead to laminitis, colic, and weight disturbances.
So, give him all the hay he wants -- he should have hay left over in the morning -- that's how you'll know he's getting enough.
And, of course, clean water at all times and a plain white salt lick, should be available.
These are some basics. I hope this info is helpful. You will likely encounter disagreement from your barn manager and while I can't tell you what to do, I would humbly suggest that you pay for more hay or find another facility that is better informed about horses' physiology.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
Dr Getty,
I will give it a try. And I am moving him A.S.A.P.
Thanks alot!!
Julie
Where are you from? Colorado
How did you locate this forum? google
Hi Jenn,
You are a rare breed -- a precious gem!
It never ceases to amaze me how many barn managers feed horses several "meals" each day and allow them to go for hours without anything to eat. These horses are generally finished eating by 10:00 pm and do not get anything else until morning. They should have hay left over in the morning -- that's the only way to know that enough hay is being fed.
Horses are not people. We sleep for several hours in a row and therefore do not need to eat during the night. Horses do not sleep for more than a few minutes at a time and need to keep their digestive systems moving. They also need to chew to produce saliva, in order to neutralize the stomach acid that is continually flowing. (Our stomachs only release acid when there's food present -- not so for horses.)
Horses need to be understood for the creatures they are -- they are very unusual... they are not ruminants like cows or sheep, and not non-rumuninants like people, dogs and cats. They are herbivorous non-ruminants, meaning they only eat plant products which of course, are mostly fiber. They digest this fiber in the hind gut where bacteria live to produce the necessary enzymes. And, because it is toward the end of the digestive tract where this happens, they need A LOT of forage -- far more than a cow would need. The only way to get enough is to graze continuously. If given the chance, that's what they do in a natural setting. Pass by any pasture with horses -- their heads are to the ground grazing. That's because they NEED TO GRAZE constantly. They rest for approximately 2 hours during a 24 hour period but not all at once.
I am writing this for the benefit of those barn managers who stall animals for more than 20 hours each day and perhaps haven't thought through the nature of a horse's digestive needs.
Lack of attention to this essential need will lead to colic episodes, ulcers, laminitis, and behavioral problems.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
I offer and perfer to have all the horses out 24/7 from spring to fall (depending on temp) older horses come in during the hot part of the day. Winter I try to have the horses out for at least 8hrs, They are given a smaller breakfast and any left overs are saved (if they can) and dinner time they are given alot ontop of leftovers. We don't have severe weather and there is always grass in paddocks. If I have to keep them in due to bad weather I break up the meals so they are given about 4 different meals to reduce waste. I have no horse in my barn that has a bad habit ie. cribbing or chewing. I encourage toys and salt links in all stalls. I do love my job.
Where are you from? Oregon
How did you locate this forum? surfing the web
Hi Jenn,
Keep up the very fine work! And spread the word to other barn managers. This is a problem that I encounter with 90% of boarded horses and with your help and others like you, we can reduce this percentage and help our precious equine friends.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO