EquiSecrets Guide to Feeding a Horse

Feeding a horse correctly can seem a complex business - you may need to consider what level of work your horse is doing, what their current body condition is, if they need any horse supplements and what make or type of feed is the most suitable.

The horse is a herbivore and has a digestive system designed to function most efficiently when supplied with a fairly continuous supply of food. The horse has a limited stomach capacity, so should only be fed small amounts of feed at a time. Feeding too much can quickly overload their stomach and could result in digestive upsets such as colic.

To help you make the right decisions, we have detailed some of the key points to consider when developing a feeding plan for your horse;

Feed enough Forage

Forage (pasture, hay and haylage) is essential to maintain digestive health and is good source of energy.

The minimum amount of forage in your horses' diet should be 1% of their bodyweight, for example; a 500kg horse should be fed at least 5kg of forage per day.

Feeding good quality forage is important. When buying hay, look for hay that has a green to light gold colour (hay that is more yellow may have lost some of its nutritional value).

Open the bale and smell - good hay should smell sweet, bad hay smells mouldy or musty. Avoid hay that emits dust or mould spores when shaking it.

Ensure clean water is always available

It is essential that your horse always has access to clean water;

1. If stabled, water can be provided in buckets or from automatic drinkers.
   


2. If out at grass, the water supply should be checked regularly to ensure there is a constant supply.
   


3. In the Winter, check for frozen water supplies.
   


4. All water buckets/drinkers should be kept clean and free from stale feed etc.
   

Feed Little and Often

Most horses should consume 1.5% to 2.5% of their bodyweight per day according to their condition and workload. This total should be divided between forage and hard feed, with forage making up at least 50% of the ration.

Feeding your horse large meals of horse feed can lead to digestive problems, as concentrates are eaten more quickly than forage (it can take four times as many chews to eat 1kg of hay, compared to 1kg of cereals or cubes).

As a guide;

1 big round feed scoop = 1kg mix, 1.5kg cubes

1 section of square bale hay = 2kg

Feed according to level of Work

When calculating the correct amount to feed your horse daily, you should consider the level of exercise they are getting. Here is a brief guide to help you decide the correct category for your horse;

Light Work:

Ridden from 1 to 2 hours a day, 4 to 6 times a week or less. Occasional weekend competing.

For example:

Hacking/pleasure rides, lower level hunter trials, local shows.

Moderate Work:

Working from 2 to 5 hours a day on a daily structured training programme.

For example:

Riding School horses, horses competing at upper level dressage, show jumping or 2-day eventing, endurance horses and young racehorses in training

Heavy Work:

Horses training and competing at the peak of their physical abilities.

For example:

Racehorses on an active racing schedule, polo ponies during the season, advanced endurance horses or three day eventers.

Learn How to Body Condition Score your Horse

There are two methods commonly used for scoring;

This leaflet explain how to body condition score your horse using the Carol and Huntington Method

This leaflet explain how to body condition score your horse using the Henneke Method

Additional sources of Feeding & Nutrition advice

This British Horse Society Basic Guide to Feeding a Horse leaflet contains some more useful information.

Complete the EquiSecrets Contact Form if you would like some advice on feeding your horse correctly.