As someone who has cared for horses for years, I’ve learned that proper nutrition is essential for a healthy, happy horse. It’s not just about feeding but understanding the individual needs of each horse. For example, knowing how long horses live can help you tailor their diet as they age. Whether you’re new to horses or an experienced owner, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about horse feeding—from forage to concentrates and supplements—while also addressing common feeding challenges. Additionally, ensuring your horse gets enough exercise and understanding how far and for how long a horse can run plays a crucial role in maintaining their overall health. After winter, refreshing and restoring your horse’s coat also helps in keeping them in optimal condition.
Understanding a Horse’s Natural Diet
Horses are natural herbivores and foragers, meaning they graze on grass and plants continuously throughout the day. This makes them “trickle feeders,” with small stomachs but long intestines, designed to process roughage steadily. A balanced diet consists of:
- Water: Essential for hydration and digestion.
- Fats: Though minimal, they provide energy, especially for hard-working horses.
- Carbohydrates: The primary energy source, found in grass, hay, and legumes.
- Protein: Crucial for growth and repair, particularly in foals, pregnant mares, and working horses.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Vital for metabolic functions and overall health.
Grass, Hay, and Haylage: The Core of Horse Nutrition
In my experience, high-quality pasture is the best food for horses. It provides essential nutrients like fiber, calcium, and protein. Common grazing grasses include Timothy, Ryegrass, Orchardgrass, and Bermuda.
When pasture isn’t available, hay and haylage become the foundation of a horse’s diet:
- Hay: Dried grass, it’s easy to store and can maintain its nutritional value if kept free of dust and mold. Horses typically consume 2–2.5% of their body weight in hay each day.
- Haylage: A moist, fermented version of hay that offers higher protein and nutritional value but must be eaten within a few days of being opened to avoid spoilage.
Key Differences Between Hay and Haylage
| Aspect | Hay | Haylage |
| Moisture Content | Low (10-15%) | High (45-50%) |
| Nutritional Value | Moderate | Higher Protein & Fiber |
| Storage Life | Longer | Shorter (must be consumed quickly) |
| Cost | Cheaper | More expensive |
Concentrates: Grains, Supplements, and Mixes
For horses with higher nutritional needs, concentrates such as grains and supplements are often necessary. This is especially true for performance horses, pregnant mares, or those in heavy work.
- Oats: Highly digestible and rich in fiber.
- Corn: High energy but lower in fiber, so it should be fed in moderation.
- Barley: Provides rich energy and requires processing for better digestibility.
- Flaxseed: High in omega-3 fatty acids, supporting digestion and coat health.
Supplements like salt blocks, beet pulp, and ration balancers ensure horses get necessary vitamins and minerals without unnecessary calories. Many owners also opt for premixed feeds, which combine grains and supplements for a convenient, balanced option.
Special Diet Considerations for Different Horses
Horses have unique dietary needs depending on their age, workload, and health status:
- Older Horses: As digestion slows with age, senior horses need higher protein levels and easily digestible feeds. Specialized senior feeds in pellet form can help maintain their weight and overall health.
- Foals: Growing foals should start eating solid food like grains at 2–3 weeks of age through a creep feeder. As they approach weaning, their diet will shift to hay and grain.
- Pregnant Mares: In the last trimester, mares require more protein, vitamins, and minerals to support fetal development. After birth, they produce over 3 gallons of milk daily, so their diet must be energy-rich.
- Exercising Horses: Horses in heavy work require more calories, which can be supplemented through grains or vegetable oil, ensuring they get extra energy without overloading on carbohydrates.
Common Horse Feeding Problems
Feeding horses comes with challenges, and two common problems to avoid are:
- Overfeeding: This can lead to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and even laminitis. Monitoring weight and managing portions are key to maintaining a balanced diet.
- Underfeeding: Not giving enough roughage or calories can lead to malnutrition, especially for horses with high workloads. Regular assessments of their condition help ensure they’re receiving the right amount of feed.
Horse Feeding Tips for Success
Here are practical tips that have worked for me over the years to keep horses in peak condition:
- Feed small, frequent meals: Horses are natural grazers, and their digestive systems function best when they eat smaller meals throughout the day.
- Stick to a routine: Avoid sudden changes in the type or amount of feed to prevent digestive issues like colic.
- Check the quality of forage: Regularly inspect hay or grass for dust, mold, or contaminants.
- Monitor weight regularly: Using a weight tape or scale helps track changes and ensure horses stay healthy.
- Provide fresh water at all times: Clean, fresh water is essential for digestion and hydration, especially during hot weather or heavy work.
Testing and Diagnosis for Horse Health
If your horse exhibits signs of poor health related to diet, certain tests can help diagnose the problem:
- Physical Examination: A full checkup to assess overall health.
- Ophthalmic Examination: Checking for eye issues that might arise from nutritional deficiencies.
- Tear Production Test: Assessing hydration and eye health.
- Cytology and Biopsy: Used to diagnose infections or other conditions that might stem from poor nutrition.
Conclusion
Providing balanced and thoughtful nutrition is the cornerstone of horse care. By focusing on their natural feeding habits, offering high-quality forage, and supplementing where necessary, you ensure that your horse stays healthy and performs at its best. From the right hay to tailored concentrates, each decision in a horse’s diet plays a vital role in their overall well-being.
Horse Nutrition 101: A Guide to Feeding Your Equine Companion
FAQs
What should I feed my horse daily?
Horses should be fed primarily roughage, such as high-quality hay or pasture grass, with clean water available at all times. Concentrates like grains or supplements can be added for horses with special needs.
How much hay does a horse need per day?
Horses generally require 2–2.5% of their body weight in hay daily. For a 1,000-pound horse, that’s about 20–25 pounds of hay.
When should I introduce grain to a foal’s diet?
Grain should be introduced as early as 2–3 weeks using a creep feeder. Gradually increase solid food as they approach weaning.
What’s the difference between hay and haylage?
Hay is dried grass that lasts longer and is cheaper, while haylage is fermented, providing more protein and nutrients but spoils faster once opened.