Horse Nutrition Guide: Choosing the Right Feed and Supplements

When it comes to keeping your horse healthy, energised, and ready to perform, nothing matters more than horse nutrition. Just like riders need the right fuel to train and compete, the correct horse nutrition is crucial for horses to maintain a balanced diet and stable body condition, stamina, and overall well-being.

At the core of good horse nutrition are six key nutrient groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, most importantly, fibre. Fibre is the powerhouse behind healthy digestion, which is why forage plays such a critical role in every horse’s diet.

Besides horse feeding, ensuring your horse is drinking enough water is crucial in a well-balanced diet, it can often be overlooked, but horses need 20–40 litres a day depending on weather, workload, and diet. Electrolytes lost through sweat must be replaced too, especially after exercise or during warmer months. These essential nutrients work together to support everything from energy production to immune function, so getting the balance right in order to maintain well-balanced horse nutrition is important.

Understanding horse nutrition means recognising that every horse is different, and correct horse feeding plans should take into consideration how active the horse is, from leisure ponies to performance athletes, each horse’s diet must be tailored to their lifestyle, age, and health status.

Types of Horse Feed and How to Choose the Right One

Choosing the right horse food can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. But once you understand the types of feed and what they offer, making the right decision becomes far easier.

Forage-Based Feed: Hay, pasture, and silage form the foundation of any diet. These are rich in fibre, promoting gut motility and healthy digestion and should be included in a well-rounded horse nutrition plan. Horses should have access to forage throughout the day to mimic natural grazing behaviours.

Concentrates: These include grains, pellets, and cubes. Concentrates provide more calories in smaller portions and are ideal for horses with higher energy demands, like competition horses or those in intensive training, making them a great option for horse nutrition.

Commercial Feeds: Pre-formulated horse feed nutrition offers balanced nutrition, often incorporating vitamins and minerals. These are great for convenience and consistency, especially when feeding multiple horses or adjusting for specific needs.

When selecting feed best suited to your horse nutrition needs, consider:

• Your horse’s age and life stage

• Activity level

• Existing health conditions

• Weight and body condition

Horse Supplements: When and Why They’re Necessary

So, do horses need supplements? The answer depends on what’s missing from their base diet.

Even with a well-rounded feeding program, some horses can benefit from targeted supplementation in their horse feed nutrition plan. Whether it’s filling in nutritional gaps, supporting recovery, or aiding digestion, equine horse supplements can be a valuable part of the feeding routine.

Vitamins & Minerals: Even top-quality horse food might lack certain micronutrients, particularly if your horse is on restricted grazing or lower-quality hay. A good horse vitamin and mineral supplement can help maintain healthy bones, coat condition, and metabolic function.

Joint and Muscle Support: Ageing horses or those in heavy work can benefit from glucosamine, MSM, and other joint-support ingredients. Supplements with amino acids also help with muscle repair and recovery and should be included in your horse feed nutrition plan.

Electrolytes: Sweating causes horses to lose vital salts. Replacing them quickly with an electrolyte supplement is critical to prevent dehydration and maintain nerve and muscle function.

Digestive Health: Probiotics and prebiotics keep the gut flora in balance, reduce the risk of ulcers, improve nutrient absorption, and complement  good quality horse food.

Choosing the right equine horse supplements ensures your horse gets what it needs to feel and perform at its best, especially when the base diet isn’t quite enough.

At Greg Grant Saddlery, we stock a wide range of supplements that complement your horse's feed, supporting every diet type, from easy keepers to performance stars.

Horse Feeding Guidelines: How Much and How Often?

Feeding isn’t just about what horse food you use, it’s also about how much and how often.

In general, horses should eat 1.5–2.5% of their body weight in feed daily, depending on workload and body condition. Most of this should come from forage. Horses are grazing animals, and small, frequent meals are far more natural (and beneficial) than one or two large feeds.

Here are some golden rules of horse feeding and horse nutrition:

• Feed little and often to maintain digestive health

• Provide constant access to clean, fresh water

• Weigh your feed, don’t rely on scoops alone

• Make changes slowly, sudden shifts in diet can trigger colic

Overfeeding leads to obesity and metabolic issues. Underfeeding, especially in working horses, can result in weight loss, lethargy, and poor coat condition. Keep an eye on your horse’s body score and adjust portions as needed.

Quality matters too, nutrient-rich horse feed nutrition should be at the centre of your plan, not just calories.

Explore Greg Grant’s Range of Horse Health Products

Ready to upgrade your horse’s health from the inside out with the right horse nutrition?

At Greg Grant Saddlery, we stock a comprehensive collection of premium equine horse feed supplements and feeding tools to support horses at every stage of life and performance. Whether you’re refining your horse’s diet or looking to boost performance, our carefully selected range has you covered.

Targeted Supplements: Whether you need a horse vitamin and mineral supplement, joint support, or digestive aids, our equine horse supplements range is designed to help with joint health, muscle recovery, and overall performance and vitality.

Health & Care Products: We also stock everything else to support health and complement your horse’s diet and lifestyle needs.

Visit our Horse Health Care Collection to shop the full range and discover how the right horse nutrition plan and the best horse vitamin and mineral supplement options can transform your horse’s health and happiness.