Expert Mare Feed Insights

What changes in a senior horse’s feeding requirements? A senior horse may need a different feeding approach because age affects how well the body uses nutrients. The biggest changes usually involve digestive efficiency , dentition , and the ability to hold a healthy body condition score . As horses get older, they may extract less energy from the same ration, even if they appear to eat normally. Age-related changes can also affect digestive health and gu

What changes when a horse is on box rest? Box rest alters more than a horse’s daily routine. A horse that is used to regular turnout, hacking, schooling, or general movement all of a sudden has reduced exercise , which affects energy use, appetite, gut motility, and overall management. So the usual horse feed plan may no longer be suitable. In equine nutrition terms, the main priorities become digestive health , weight management , and maintaining a sensible b

What managing weight means for feeding horses Weight control is not simply about making a horse lighter or heavier. It is about maintaining the horse at an ideal weight with the right level of muscle, condition, and vitality. The most useful place to begin is the body condition score , because it helps you judge whether the horse is lacking condition, overweight, or sitting in a healthy middle range. When you are choosing horse feed , the aim should be to maint

What a Fiber-Rich Horse Feed Ration Means A fibre-rich ration begins with forage as the foundation and uses horse feed only to bridge the gaps that hay, haylage, and grass cannot meet on their own. The goal is to support digestive health , steady energy release , and a more natural pattern of eating. For most horses, this means putting forage first and choosing feeds that work with the digestive system rather than against it. In practical terms, a fi

What’s horse feed and how does a muesli blend fit? Horse feed is any part of a horse’s ration beyond grazing and forage, used to support a well-rounded diet, digestive health, energy levels, body condition and workload. For the majority of horses, the starting point is always forage: hay, haylage or grass. All other feed is added to meet nutritional requirements that forage alone may not cover. That is why the phrase forage first matters so much in feeding decisions.

Selecting the right horse feed for growing horses is less about picking a famous brand and more about supporting safe, consistent growth. Foals, weanlings, and young yearlings have different dietary needs, and the best ration is one that provides well-rounded nutrition , suitable digestible energy , quality protein supply , and the right minerals for bone and muscle development . Growing horses are more than smaller versions of adult horses. Their nutriti

How Much Grain to Offer a Horse Per Day There is no single answer to how much grain to feed a horse per day , because the right amount depends on the horse’s size, age, workload , body condition, and how much forage the horse already gets. A sound feeding program starts with forage and then adds horse feed grain only when additional energy or protein are needed. A good horse feeding chart usually gives ranges instead of exact scoop counts. That is because

What Makes a Good Horse Feed for a Young Horse? The best horse feed for a young horse is one that helps maintain steady growth, good digestion, and a healthy frame without leading to excess energy or imbalanced growth. Young horses, often called youngstock , need more than energy alone. They need the right balance of protein , fat , fiber , vitamins and minerals , and amino acids so their framework, muscle tissue, and body systems can develop properly.