Horse Feeding & Nutrition
Forage FIRST. Everything else second. The #1 mistake horse owners make is overfeeding grain to horses that don't need it. Complete guide: hay types explained, how much to feed, the colic danger from sudden feed changes, and why your "easy keeper" is at risk for laminitis on spring grass.
🌿 The Golden Rule: Forage FIRST
A horse must eat 1.5-2% of its body weight in forage daily. For a 500 kg horse: 7.5-10 kg of hay per day. This is non-negotiable. Horses evolved to graze 16-18 hours a day — their digestive system requires CONSTANT fiber intake to prevent gastric ulcers, colic, and behavioral problems. Hay types: Grass hay (timothy, orchard, brome) — moderate protein, lower calories, ideal for most horses. Alfalfa/Lucerne — high protein + calcium, ideal for growing horses/lactating mares, too rich for easy keepers. ⚠️ Never feed moldy hay — can cause fatal colic or heaves (COPD). ⚠️ Sudden feed changes cause colic — transition any new hay/grain over 7-10 days.
⚠️ Spring Grass = Laminitis Time Bomb
Spring pasture is the #1 trigger for laminitis. Rapidly growing grass is packed with fructans (sugars). For horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushing's, or a history of laminitis, spring grass can be deadly within 24-48 hours. Use a grazing muzzle, limit turnout to early morning (lowest sugar), or keep at-risk horses on a dry lot.
🍎 Grain — When (and When NOT) to Feed
Most horses do NOT need grain. An idle adult horse on good hay needs NO grain — only a vitamin/mineral balancer. Grain is only for: hard-working performance horses, growing foals/yearlings, lactating mares, hard keepers who can't maintain weight on hay alone, and senior horses with dental issues. Feed small meals — horses' stomachs are small (8-15 liters). Never feed more than 2 kg of concentrate per meal. Overfeeding grain = #1 cause of colic and laminitis in otherwise healthy horses.