Feed Room Mythbusters: Must have cubes be soaked in water before feeding?

The nutrition experts at Kentucky Performance Products give us the lowdown on this commonly held belief.

From the KPP “Tips & Topics” Blog:

Hay cubes can be fed wet or dry. When first introduced it may be advisable to wet the cubes as the horse will have easier time biting off small chunks to chew at one time. As a horse becomes accustomed to eating them, they can typically be fed dry.

With that said, wetting the cubes should not be discounted completely. Esophageal obstruction, commonly known as choke, might be avoided if the cubes are sprayed liberally with water before offered to the horse. According to Kathleen Crandell, an equine nutritionist, “Cubes have a reputation for causing choke because of horses trying to eat them too quickly. If they are watered down, consumption is slowed, and horses are less likely to have problems with bolting(eating too quickly) and choking.”

A second benefit of wetting cubes is increased water consumption. This is sometimes advantageous in the winter when horses may be cutting back on water intake.

If a horseman chooses to wet the cubes, I can be done just prior to feeding. They do not need to soak for any length of time.

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2012 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Article sponsored by Elevate Maintenance Powder; an affordable, easy way to provide essential natural vitamin E, when longer-term vitamin E supplementation is needed.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.