A Guide to Feeding Your Sport Horse

How to Feed Your Horse According to Its Natural Grazing Behaviour and Activity Level

Understanding Natural Horse Behaviour

Horses are natural grazers, adapted to eating small amounts of food continuously throughout the day. Their digestive system is designed for a steady flow of food rather than large meals. Providing frequent, small feedings and having forage available throughout the day is crucial for maintaining digestive health and preventing various issues.

 

What and How to Feed Your Horse

Frequent Small Meals

Horses have a relatively small stomach and a large hindgut that excels at fermenting fibrous foods. To support their digestive system and overall health:

• Feed small, frequent meals: Aim for meals no larger than 2.5 kg each. If your horse needs more food, increase the number of meals rather than the portion size.

• Meal frequency based on workload: Horses in light work can be fed twice a day, while those in moderate to heavy work may require three to four meals daily. 

Forage is Essential

Forage, such as hay or haylage, plays a vital role in digestive health and gut flora balance. It also helps mitigate behavioral issues like crib-biting and wind-sucking. It is highly favored to have forage available throughout the day to mimic natural grazing patterns.

• Forage amounts: For a 500 kg horse, provide at least 5 kg of hay (1% of their body weight). If feeding haylage, offer slightly more, around 6 kg, due to its higher moisture content.
• Forage as the primary diet component: Aim for forage to make up at least 50% of your horse’s daily diet; a higher proportion can be even more beneficial.

Concentrate feeds

Performance horses often need additional energy beyond what forage alone can provide. Concentrate feeds, which include cereals like oats or barley, offer necessary energy but must be used carefully to avoid digestive upsets.

• Energy needs: Choose a concentrate feed that matches your horse’s level of activity. Avoid overfeeding starches from grains to prevent digestive issues and maintain balanced energy levels 

        

Maintaining Interest in Food

Horses can become bored with their diet over time, which may affect their eating habits. To keep them engaged:

• Variety in diet: Introduce small amounts of variety such as carrots, apples, or molasses. This can make mealtimes more interesting and enjoyable for your horse.

Hydration

Adequate water intake is as crucial as feed for maintaining health and performance. Horses working hard can lose significant amounts of fluid through sweat.

• Ensure constant access to fresh water: Always provide clean, fresh water for your horse to drink. Dehydration can lead to decreased performance and health problems. 

Slow Changes in Diet

Abrupt changes in diet can disrupt a horse’s digestive system. To avoid this:

• Gradual transitions: Implement dietary changes slowly over 7-10 days. This gradual approach helps the horse’s digestive system adjust without causing stress or digestive upset.

Supplements

Supplements can be beneficial for addressing any nutritional gaps in your horse’s diet. Performance horses, in particular, may require additional vitamins and minerals, especially if they are on a high-grain diet or facing competition-related stress. Understanding the various supplements available and their specific uses can help you make informed choices for your sport horse’s diet. Supplements can support different aspects of health, performance, and recovery, tailored to your horse’s individual needs.

Explore more about the types of supplements and their benefits here.

 

By aligning your feeding practices with your horse’s natural behaviour and dietary needs, including providing constant access to forage, you’ll help ensure they remain healthy, content, and perform at their peak.