Feed Room Security – What is most important to your horse?

It may not seem like it, but where you store your feed can play a significant role in your horse's long-term health. In this post, we'll tackle the concept of feed room security--steps you can take to ensure your feed storage areas aren't posing unnecessary risks for your horse.

Dry and Well-Ventilated Environment

Feed must be well protected from moisture. If you store feed in bags, be mindful of how you stack them. Be sure that you aren't stacking new feed on top of the old bags, as this will tend to allow older feed to accumulate. Also, avoid stacking feed bags directly on the floor, as moisture may be absorbed in the bottom bags, leading to mold penetration. If you use feed storage containers (bins, garbage cans, etc.), be sure these are water- and pest-resistant. And you'll want to completely empty and clean these out on a regular basis.

Adequate Lighting

It is important that you be able to see clearly inside your feed room. That may sound obvious, but keep in mind that your ability to properly assess the condition of any feed or supplement products stored in your feed room depends on it. These products are produced under controlled conditions, and once the feed has left a feed mill, it may be exposed to other conditions in storage. So it may not always be immediately obvious when feed is going bad unless you're regularly checking it inside the store room--before feeding it to your horse.

Cleanliness

Another obvious point, but one that can't be stressed hard enough. It's important to keep the feed storage area clean and free of potential sources of contamination. That includes spilled feed, which may have become compromised and/or invite pests.

Pest Control

Speaking of pests, remember that feed tends to attract rodents, birds, and insects. If pest control is required, care should be taken to make certain that any pesticides or rodenticides cannot contaminate the feed and that animals cannot access the pest control material. And pest control is super important because some pests--such as opossums--may carry specific disease risks like Equine Protozal Myeloencephalitis (EPM).

Security Measures

Feed also attracts, well, your horses! It's normal for horses and other animals to attempt access to areas where they learn feed is kept, but this can be more than just a nuisance. It can lead to serious health concerns, particularly if you have medicated ruminant, poultry, or swine feeds stored alongside your horse feed. Take precautions to secure the feed room from the Houdinis in your barn, and you'll be grateful for it later!

We may not be able to help you much with your feed room setup, but we can certain help you fill your feed room with the right nutrition your horses and other animals need. Call or stop by sometime, and we'll be glad to take care of you!

NOTE: This post was adapted (with permission) from content proudly brought to you by our partners at Nutrena and Cargill Animal Nutrition. The original article appears here.