Feeding horses in 2025: Simple, safe, balanced diet tips

Feeding horses is a topic full of varied views, yet responsible horse care rests on trusted, balanced feeding routines. This guide helps UK horse owners navigate diet choices in 2025 with evidence-backed advice to keep your horse healthy and happy.

1. Start with quality fibre

The foundation of any equine diet is fibre—primarily good-quality hay or pasture grass. Horses are designed to graze almost continuously, processing large amounts of fibre via their hind gut.

• Always provide ad-lib access to fibre, aiming for at least 75% of the daily diet by dry matter weight.
• During poor grazing seasons or droughts, supplement fibre with hay or haylage rather than increasing harder feeds.
• Fibre supplies energy naturally, enabling good performance even for moderately active horses.

2. Assess workload and body condition honestly

An accurate workload assessment helps tailor feeding specifically to your horse’s needs. Owners often overestimate exercise or miss signs of overweight.

• Consult an experienced instructor or a trusted equestrian professional for balanced feedback.
• Consider professional body condition scoring and weighing if possible, such as through veterinary clinics using portable weighbridges.
• Adjust feed based on condition; if weight loss is needed, gradually reduce hard feed calories, not fibre, and increase work gently.

3. Choose compound feeds with care

Not all marketed feeds suit every horse. Reading ingredient labels is vital for understanding calorie sources and potential impacts on temperament.

• Beware of feeds containing heating ingredients like peas, beans, or barley if your horse requires a calm disposition.
• Don't trust advertising terms like 'low calorie' or 'quiet ride' without validating nutritional content.
• Specialised feeds for conditions like laminitis or Cushing’s should be chosen carefully and ideally under veterinary advice.
• Chops and chaffs often contain sweeteners; read labels to avoid unintended excess sugars.

4. Monitor condition and manage weight effectively

• Regular condition scoring, photographic logs, and weighing allow for effective monitoring and timely feed adjustments.
• Maintenance feeding requirements usually range from 1.5% to 2.5% of body weight daily, adjusting for workload.
• Veterinary practices often provide weighing services; arrange these to support your feeding plans.

5. Prioritise feed quality and supplementation

• Always opt for the highest quality hay your budget allows; poor-quality hay can cause nutritional deficiencies.
• Consider forage analysis to understand nutrient levels and adjust complementary feeds accordingly.
• Horses on maintenance diets with minimal hard feed may require vitamin and mineral supplements to meet nutritional requirements.

6. Respect time-tested feeding rules

• Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water—dehydration is a key risk factor in colic.
• Feed at consistent times each day to provide routine and reduce stress.
• Avoid exercise for at least one hour after feeding hard feeds, and allow a rest hour after turning out to grazing before exercise.
• If feeding hard feeds, split daily ration into multiple small feeds, with the largest feed last thing at night.
• During winter months or poor pasture quality, offer a succulent supplement to maintain hydration and interest.

7. Practical tips for improved feeding success

• Feed soaked or wetted feeds when possible to aid hydration and reduce digestive upset.
• Store all feeds in clean, dry environments to preserve nutritional quality and prevent spoilage.
• Keep feeding equipment clean and free from contamination to encourage water intake and reduce disease risk.

Horses are not greedy; they are natural grazers designed to eat fibre steadily during the day and night. Restricting fibre or abruptly changing diets disrupts their digestion and increases colic risk. Show your horse true care by providing a balanced diet, timely adjustments, and professional guidance when needed. This approach honours their natural needs and supports longevity and wellbeing.