Avoid abrupt ration changes.

Change rations gradually over a period of about one week. Sudden changes may cause colic, going off feed, loss of condition, and digestive disturbances. One method for changing a ration is to replace 25 percent of the ration with the new ration every two days so that it takes six days before the horse is eating 100 percent of the new ration. Horses being turned out to pasture should be turned out for 30 minutes the first day and then for increased amounts of time so that, after a week, they are left out continuously. This procedure is particularly critical when pastures are lush and green.

When horses are returned back to the farm from sales or strenuous performance training, their ration and amount of exercise should be reduced gradually over a two-week period.

Rations must be controlled closely for horses subjected to strenuous daily exercise or when they are given a day off. Axoturia, or "Monday morning sickness," is caused by feeding the total grain portion of the ration on a horse's day off.