How a mare’s nutritional needs vary during lactation A lactating mare has much higher nutritional demands than a mare that is open, pregnant early, or resting. The reason is simple: milk production demands a steady stream of nutrients, especially calories, amino acids, minerals, and water. During this lactation stage , the mare’s calorie requirements go up and her protein needs rise so she can maintain body condition while supporting the foal. The feedin
How gut health means in horses Intestinal health in horses is about maintaining the digestive system running efficiently from the stomach through the small intestine and into the hindgut. A healthy horse uses horse feed efficiently, takes in nutrients well, and supports steady energy without upsetting the intestinal environment. For many horses, the biggest concern is hindgut health , because that is where most fiber fermentation happens. The hindgut includes
№ 03What Are the Benefits of Moistened Horse Feed?
What Is Wet Horse Feed? Moistened horse feed is basically horse feed that has been mixed with water before it is offered to the horse. The process can loosen horse feed grain , pellets, or textured mixes so they are simpler to eat and often easier to manage in a feeding program. People use it with many types of horse feed , including dry grain-based rations, pelleted products, and some commercial blends. At a basic level, soaking alters texture more than compos
№ 04What Vitamins should horses get in Their Feed?
What nutrients do horses need in horse feed? Choosing the right horse feed begins with understanding which compounds belong in the ration and which ones a horse can usually make or obtain from forage. Horses need both fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins , but they do not always need large amounts of every vitamin in every feed. The goal of horse nutrition is to build a balanced diet that supports healthy digestion , body condition, and overall
№ 05How to Choose Horse Feed Based on Body Condition Score
How body condition score guides horse feeding A horse’s body condition score is one of the best tools in equine nutrition because it helps select horse feed to the horse’s actual needs instead of guessing. The body condition scoring system evaluates how much fat covers key areas of the body, which reflects whether the horse is underweight , at an ideal body condition , or overconditioned . That makes it easier to build a balanced ration using the right
№ 06Top Horse Grain Labels for Horse Feed: Leading Options and Buying Guide
Picking the right horse feed is less about chasing a famous name and more about matching dietary needs to the horse in front of you. A good horse grain should promote equine nutrition, digestive health, and the horse’s workload without overloading the diet with unnecessary starch or sugar. The best horse feed brands usually combine fiber, protein, fat content, vitamins and minerals, and digestibility in a way that fits the horse’s age group and body condition score. This
№ 07What Is the Difference Between Horse Feed and Concentrates?
Concentrates vs horse feed: the simple distinction The simplest way to understand horse feed and concentrates is this: horse feed is the broad term for all feed given to a horse, while concentrates are a specific type of feed designed to supply extra energy , protein , or other nutrients in a smaller volume than forage. Forage sits at the centre of most equine diets. It includes grass, hay, haylage, and other fibrous feeds that offer roughage and suppo
Summer feeding calls for a slightly other method to horse feed than cold-weather management. With extended turnout, summer grazing , higher temperatures and varying work patterns, the priority becomes maintaining hydration , maintaining gut health and keeping the diet matched with a horse’s nutritional requirements . A good plan is usually forage-first , with measured use of concentrates , supplements and electrolytes only where required. This guide fo