Every owner should learn the rules of feeding horses because a good understanding of equine nutrition is key to ensuring your horse remains healthy and in good condition all year round.
These rules cover the basics when it comes to feeding horses. There’s so much more to learn, but this is an excellent place to start.
Golden rules of feeding horses
These rules can be applied to every horse and will help maintain good health and avoid preventable digestive problems.
1. Provide access to fresh clean water at all times
Water is the most important part of your horse’s diet and is often overlooked. Horses should have access to fresh water at all times, whether stabled or in the field, to prevent dehydration.
An average horse at rest will drink around 25 litres a day and this can increase to more than double this amount if the horse is working hard or a hot environment.
Troughs, buckets and other water containers should also be kept clean.
Keep feeds in clean, rodent-proof bins or containers.
(Image credit: Sarah Farnsworth)
2. Maintain good hygiene
Store your feed in a secure rodent-proof container within a clean, dry area to prevent damage from pests and moisture. Always use clean buckets, scoops and stirrers, and clean feed bins regularly.
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3. Use high quality feeds
Never be tempted to feed dusty, mouldy or old feed. Doing so could cause respiratory problems, allergic responses or digestive upset.
Keep meals small by splitting your horse’s ration across the day.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
4. Feed little and often
Horses have small stomachs and have evolved to trickle feed rather than eat large meals. If your horse’s bucket feed weighs more than 1.5kg, it must be split into two or more feeds over the course of the day. Splitting rations that weigh less it into multiple feeds is also beneficial.
5. Feed by weight, not volume
A scoop of one feed will not weigh the same as another as they have different densities. To ensure you’re feeding the correct quantities and know that your horse is getting everything he needs, weigh each type of feed you use.
Some bagged feed balancers will come with a cup or cardboard scoop to help you measure.
While two horses may live together, they are likely to have different nutritional needs.
(Image credit: Andrew Sydenham)
6. Feed your horse as an individual
When feeding your horse, consider bodyweight, temperament, age and workload. You may need a horse to lose weight or be trying to help a horse gain weight, while some horses need low-sugar and starch options to prevent excitability.
Horses working harder will need more energy and feeding performance horses is a particular art and science. Older horses will have different requirements, too.
When something changes, such as workload due to injury, you’ll need to reassess your horse’s nutritional needs. If you’re unsure what to feed your horse, seek advice from your vet, an independent nutritionist or free nutritional helpline.
7. Make any changes to the diet gradually
Making dietary changes over at least a week will help reduce the risk of digestive upsets, such as colic. This rules applies to making changes to your horse’s bucket feed as well as the type of forage, including grass.
Introduce small amounts of the new foodstuff gradually, while withdrawing the original feed component at the same rate if necessary. This helps your horse’s digestive system adapt to the changes and produce the correct microbes to break down the new food.
8. Avoid exercise for one hour after cereal-based meals
Horses are unable to digest cereal-based meals quickly, so you should not exercise them after giving a hard feed to allow them time to digest it. It is, however, beneficial to feed horses something fibre-based before exercise to reduce the risk of acid splash in the stomach, which could lead to gastric ulcers.
Horses love routine and will know when to expect food.
(Image credit: Alamy)
9. Feed your horse at the same time each day
Horses are creatures of habit and thrive on a regular routine. Doing this helps reduce stress and is good for gut motility.
10. Ensure forage is the cornerstone of your horse’s diet
Horses have evolved to live on high fibre diets and good fibre levels will help to stimulate a healthy gut function and reduce the risk of digestive upsets.
Forage should be fed ad lib where possible – here’s more information on how much hay to feed a horse. If your horse struggles with traditional forage options due to poor dentition, check out the best forage replacers.
Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
