If I am remembering right, Dr. Garlinghouse DVM
suggests waiting 4 hours after a horse eats a LARGE meal before working them
hard. I'd guess you are fine Diane to work your horses after they
have been eating their dinner. Of course, some object to being pulled away
from the meal, while others are fussy if you work them before they eat, as they
know they will get fed when done.... I try to never feed right away when I am
done working them, so they do not get in the habit of a "reward when done". It
seems to create more problems, as they learn the sooner they are done, the
sooner they get fed. This is especially bad on those who learn to jig home
after a ride, knowing they will soon be fed.
