Proper Horse Nutrition and Feeding Schedules

Proper nutrition is fundamental to your horse's health, performance, and longevity. Horses have evolved as constant grazers, and their digestive systems are designed for nearly continuous intake of forage. Understanding equine nutrition and establishing appropriate feeding schedules is one of the most important responsibilities of horse ownership and care.

Understanding the Equine Digestive System

Horses have a simple stomach that's relatively small compared to their body size—only about 2-4 gallons. They don't have the ability to vomit, which means their digestive system is uniquely vulnerable to disruption. Their stomachs produce acid continuously, even when empty, making regular feed intake crucial for maintaining digestive health.

The cecum and large colon are where most forage fermentation occurs. These compartments can hold 40+ gallons and require steady, consistent forage intake to function properly. Feed moving too quickly or too slowly through the system can lead to colic, impaction, or other serious digestive issues.

This physiological reality is why frequent, smaller meals are healthier than large, infrequent feedings.

The Foundation: Quality Hay and Forage

Hay should form the foundation of your horse's diet, comprising 1.5-2% of their body weight daily. A 1000-pound horse should consume 15-20 pounds of hay daily, spread throughout the day.

Types of Forage

Timothy Hay: The gold standard for equine diets. It's nutrient-balanced, palatable, and supports digestive health. Timothy hay provides the essential fiber horses need.

Alfalfa: Higher in protein and calories than grass hay, making it excellent for growing horses, hard keepers, or performance horses. However, it shouldn't be the sole forage and is often mixed with grass hay.

Orchard Grass: Another excellent choice with good nutritional balance and palatability.

Mixed Hay Blends: Combinations of different grasses provide nutritional variety and prevent horses from becoming bored with a single forage type.

Pasture Grass: Fresh pasture is the ideal forage source when available. Quality pasture can provide much of a horse's nutritional needs, though most horses still benefit from supplemental hay.

Hay Quality Indicators

Look for:

• Green color indicating proper curing and storage
• Pleasant smell without mustiness or mold
• Soft, leafy texture with minimal dust
• Absence of mold, weeds, or foreign objects
• Appropriate cut stage for your forage type

Poor quality hay can cause digestive upset, respiratory issues, and fails to meet nutritional needs. Invest in good hay—it's fundamental to your horse's health.

Grains and Concentrates

Most horses also require grain or concentrate feeds to meet their energy and nutrient needs, particularly if they're working, growing, senior, or are poor keepers.

Types of Concentrates

Oats: A traditional grain that's gentle on the digestive system and highly palatable. Oats are easily digestible and provide good energy.

Barley: More energy-dense than oats but less digestible. Often mixed with oats.

Corn: High in energy but should be fed in moderation as excessive corn can cause digestive issues.

Commercial Feeds: Formulated grain mixes balanced with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Quality commercial feeds are nutritionally complete and convenient.

Beet Pulp: A fiber supplement that provides energy without the starch of grains, excellent for sensitive horses.

Feeding Grain Properly

• Feed in small meals (no more than 5-6 pounds per feeding)
• Feed at consistent times daily
• Increase grain gradually when changing types or amounts
• Never feed excessive grain, which can cause digestive upset and behavioral issues
• Match grain amount to work level and condition

Establishing Proper Feeding Schedules

The ideal feeding schedule mimics a horse's natural grazing pattern: frequent, small meals throughout the day.

Recommended Schedule

Minimum: Two feedings daily, morning and evening (6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, for example), with hay available throughout the day.

Better: Three feedings daily, spacing grain and concentrates evenly.

Optimal: Four or more smaller meals daily, which more closely matches the horse's digestive design.

For facilities providing twice-daily feeding (morning and evening), ensure hay is available continuously between feedings. Some horses thrive on just twice-daily grain with constant hay access.

Nutrients and Mineral Balance

Beyond calories and carbohydrates, horses need:

Protein: Essential for muscle development and maintenance. Forage provides some; growing and performance horses may need additional protein from alfalfa or grain.

Vitamins and Minerals: Critical for health, immunity, and performance. Key minerals include:

• Calcium and Phosphorus (proper ratio critical)
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Zinc and Copper

Vitamins A, D, and E: Often deficient in stored hay; supplementation is common.

Quality commercial feeds are typically balanced in these nutrients. If feeding straight grains and forage, consider a vitamin and mineral supplement.

Feeding Special Needs Horses

Senior Horses: Often have dental problems affecting chewing. Senior feeds (complete pellets or soft textured feeds) are easier to consume.

Young, Growing Horses: Need higher protein and carefully balanced minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals for proper skeletal development.

Performance/Athletic Horses: Need additional calories and nutrients to support increased energy expenditure and recovery.

Horses with Metabolic Issues: May require low-starch diets, avoiding grains entirely in favor of forage and low-starch concentrates.

IR/PSSM Horses: Need restricted sugar and starch intake, requiring specialized feeding programs.

Hydration

Water is often overlooked but is critical. Horses should have constant access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration can lead to impaction colic and other serious issues. On average, horses drink 5-10 gallons of water daily, more in hot weather or with increased exercise.

Feeding Management Tips

Monitor Body Condition: Regularly assess your horse's weight and adjust feed accordingly. Body condition scoring helps determine if your horse is too thin, too heavy, or ideal.

Transition Gradually: When changing feeds, transition over 7-10 days, gradually replacing old feed with new feed. Sudden changes can cause digestive upset and colic.

Keep Records: Note what and when you feed, along with any changes in behavior, energy, or condition.

Regular Veterinary Consultation: Have your vet evaluate your feeding program annually, especially for horses with health concerns.

Quality Control: Store feed in cool, dry conditions. Use feed within a reasonable timeframe to prevent nutrient degradation.

Conclusion

Proper nutrition is one of your most important investments in your horse's health and performance. By understanding your horse's digestive system, providing quality forage, appropriate concentrates, and establishing consistent feeding schedules, you're supporting their long-term well-being. Every horse is unique, and consulting with your veterinarian and an equine nutritionist can help you develop an optimal feeding program tailored to your individual horse's needs.