🐴 “What Do Horses Eat?” Vet Guide 2025 by Dr Duncan Houston
In this article
🌾 What Do Horses Eat? Vet Guide 2025 by Dr Duncan Houston
Greetings equine enthusiasts! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. In this comprehensive guide, we explore everything about a horse’s diet—natural feeding behavior, nutritional requirements, forage choices, feeds, feeding strategies, digestion, and common issues. This knowledge empowers you to optimize your horse’s well-being and performance. 🐴✨
1. Understanding Natural Diet
Horses evolved as continuous grazers on fiber-rich forages—spending up to 18 hours a day eating grass or roughage. A healthy digestive system relies on small, frequent meals. Sudden changes can lead to colic or ulcers.
2. Essential Nutrients & Daily Requirements
- Forage (fiber): ≥ 1.5–2% of body weight—approx. 7–10 kg for a 500 kg horse.
- Water: 25–55 L daily—more when working, lactating, or in hot climates.
- Energy: Provided by fiber, fat, and starch.
- Protein: ~10–12% for maintenance; higher for growing or pregnant horses.
- Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, sodium and trace minerals (selenium, zinc).
- Vitamins: A, D, E; B-group are typically supplied by good-quality forage.
3. The Role of Forage
High-quality forage is foundational:
- Pasture grazing: Ideal if well-managed—provide rotational grazing, diversity, and weed control.
- Hay: Grass hay (e.g., timothy, orchard) suits most horses. Alfalfa or legumes provide more protein and calcium—good for seniors or hard keepers.
- Soaked feeds: Use chaff, hay cubes, or beet pulp for dental issues or older horses.
4. Concentrates & Supplement Feeds
Hardworking, pregnant, or growing horses often need more energy:
- Cereal grains: Oats, barley, corn—must be introduced slowly to avoid digestive upset.
- Commercial grain mixes: Balanced rations combining energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins.
- Fat supplements: Oil (soy, flax), rice bran—boost calories without starch-related risks.
- Chaff & complete feeds: Pre-processed with controlled nutrition and easy digestion.
5. Feeding Management Tips
- Feed hay or forage multiple times daily or provide free-choice for continuous intake.
- Avoid large single meals—divide grain into 2–3 smaller servings.
- Introduce dietary changes gradually over 7–10 days.
- Keep clean, fresh water accessible at all times.
- Use slow feeders, hay nets, or grazing muzzles to manage intake.
- Place salt or mineral blocks—ensure horses receive enough sodium and trace minerals.
6. Digestion & Gut Health
Horses rely on microbial fermentation in the hindgut. Sudden carbohydrate loads disrupt gut flora, causing gas, colic, or laminitis. Young\'s digestive buffer can aid transition when feeding starch-rich feeds.
Consider pre/probiotics, digestive enzymes, or buffer support under veterinary guidance.
7. Special Dietary Needs
- Seniors: Soft feeds, added fat/protein, teeth-friendly options.
- Warmbloods/Athletes: High-energy grain, balancing fat/starch, electrolytes for sweat/function.
- Metabolic/hard keepers: Low-NSC diets—chaff, beet pulp, straight fats.
- Ponies & easy keepers: Controlled, turnout-limited, minimal concentrate, priority on low-NSC forage.
8. Recognizing Feeding-Related Problems
- Laminitis: Often triggered by rich pasture or grain overload.
- Colic: Caused by dehydration, large meals, or sudden food changes.
- Ulcers: Common with high-starch feeding or stall confinement.
- Weight fluctuation: Monitor condition monthly and adjust diet.
- Behavior or coat quality: Indicators of deficiencies.
9. Veterinary & Nutritional Monitoring
- Annual body condition scoring and weigh tape assessments.
- Blood tests—CBC, biochemistry, metabolic status for specialized horses.
- Regular dental care to ensure efficient feeding.
- Tailored diet consultations—testing forage analysis to balance proteins/minerals.
10. Practical Feeding Schedule
| Time | Feed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early Morning | Hay or pasture + salt block | May add soaked chaff for seniors |
| Midday | Pasture or hay + optional concentrate | More frequent small meals are preferred |
| Late Afternoon | Forage + grain/fat/complete feed | Ideal before exercise |
| Evening | Hay/free-choice forage | Helps gut function overnight |
11. Summary Table
| Aspect | Key Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Forage | 1.5–2% body weight; free-choice if possible |
| Water | Clean & unlimited access |
| Feeds | Added to meet demand—introduce slowly |
| Supplements | Use when gaps identified by vet |
| Gut Health | Maintain with fiber, slow feeding, buffering as needed |
| Monitoring | Regular weight/BSC, vet review for special needs |
🔚 Final Thoughts
A balanced equine diet mirrors natural grazing—rich in quality forage, portioned concentrates, clean water, continual monitoring, and thoughtful additions for individual needs. Understanding your horse’s unique metabolism, health and activity is the vet’s job and yours—together we set the foundation for peak health, performance, and happiness.
Want a personalized feeding program, forage analysis, or gut-health support? Connect with our **Ask A Vet** team. Download the Ask A Vet app for 24/7 veterinary chat, custom nutrition plans, and proactive wellness guidance. 🌟
