Oct 07, 2024 | Super Equestrian
Last summer, I went hiking in the mountains with some of my friends. At one point, we saw a group of wild horses coming from the nearby forest. I became so curious after seeing them. And instantly some thoughts were going through my mind. I wanted to know what wild horses eat. We see this beautiful animal run through forests and open fields. But what do they eat to keep themselves strong and healthy without anyone's help?
Most of you might know tWhat Do Wild Horses Eat- Can They Only Survive on a Vegan Diet?hat wild horses eat only grass. But it’s not enough to understand their eating habits. They keep the ecosystem in order without human intervention. But how can they do this? They don't even have a food store nearby. It's like how you’d do if you were stuck on an island.
If you think abouWhat Do Wild Horses Eat- Can They Only Survive on a Vegan Diet?t how these horses eat in the wild and stay active, you are in the right place. We are going to explore the world of wild horses and what they really eat.
There are some interesting facts about wild horses that most equine enthusiasts do not know. It's important to know the differences between wild, feral, and domesticated horses.
Wild horses mostly eat grass. But they do not only take grasses and oats. They also eat a variety of plant substances like shrubs, vines, leaves, twigs, fruits, and branches. Domestic horses take a diverse range of foods along with grass and plant materials. We can provide them with the nutrients according to their needs. But how do wild horses fulfill their nutritional requirements by themselves? Wild horses graze near their natural habitat and collect food from large areas. Their feeding behavior is different due to the availability of food sources.
The constant grazing habits of wild horses play a unique role in their diet. It helps improve their digestive function and dental health. Plus it has a great impact on the ecosystem. Since wild horses eat different types of plant species from the environment, they keep a good balance of various plant species in their habitat. They make the ecosystem healthier by promoting a balanced biodiversity. Because of consuming various plants, they prevent the overgrowth of certain plants. Eating such plants helps them get enough nutrients needed for their body.
Wild horses adapt diverse eating habits according to environmental conditions and seasonal changes. They used to follow some strategies to collect their food in different seasons. As they live in different environments like deserts, forests, or plains, their food habits change with environmental variation.
They usually eat woody plants to survive the harsh weather of winter. Dried leaves and tree bark are such food that they prefer to have in winter. They use a special technique called “cratering” to collect food under the snow. They dig the snow by using their feet to find dormant grass and other plants that are still alive.
In spring and summer, wild horses graze on fresh green plants and grasses. In fall and winter, they depend much on dried plants to fulfill their eating needs. Wild horses survive in the desert by consuming desert-adapted substances. These include prickly pear cactus, shrubs, and hardy grass. This way they get moisture and food at the same time. They can dig in dry riverbeds to get closer to water sources.
Wild horses collect their drinking water from natural sources like rivers, ponds, or lakes. However, domestic horses have to depend on their owner or caretakers to get free and constant access to clean water. They take a substantial amount of water, often between five to ten gallons per day. When the weather conditions are dry, they dig wells in riverbeds to collect water. Wild horses prefer to live near various water sources. But if you want to domesticate the wild horse, you can set up a water tank in the ground. This will help them drink water.
If you are confused about choosing the required feed for your horse, no problem. You can take ideas from wild horses' regular diet. It will help you take the best care of your horses.
Domestic horses do not get as much access to grazing as the wild horses. So, the eating patterns of both these horses are not similar. Plus they do not always eat the same types of food. However, you can apply the eating strategy and skills of wild horses to feed your own horses. It's important to support the natural dietary habits and physiological requirements of domesticated horses.
This is the main reason why most horse enthusiasts are interested in knowing about wild horses. If you are one of them, I hope our mini-discussion will be helpful for you and other horse owners. So, feel free to spread the information to your community. You can also share your observations or queries about wild horses in the comment section. Let's learn together about the diet of wild horses.
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