Feeding horses can feel confusing — every horse is different, every yard has its own opinions, and feed bags often give vague guidelines. But the truth is simple: horses need the right balance of forage, nutrients, and calories based on their size, workload, and condition. This guide breaks down exactly how much you should feed your horse and how to tailor their diet safely.
1. Start With the Golden Rule: Forage First
Horses are grazing animals, so forage should make up at least 70–100% of their diet.
Most horses need:
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1.5–2% of their bodyweight in forage per day (That’s 7.5–10kg for a 500kg horse.)
Good‑doers may need closer to 1.5%. Poor‑doers may need 2% or more.
2. How to Calculate Forage Amounts
Use this simple formula:
Horse’s weight (kg) × 0.015–0.02 = daily forage (kg)
Examples:
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400kg pony: 6–8kg
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500kg horse: 7.5–10kg
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600kg warmblood: 9–12kg
Weigh haynets with a scale for accuracy.
3. When Does a Horse Need Hard Feed?
Not every horse needs hard feed. Hard feed is useful for horses who are:
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In moderate to hard work
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Poor‑doers
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Seniors
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Pregnant or lactating
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Lacking nutrients
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On restricted forage
Good‑doers in light work often do fine on forage + a balancer.
4. How Much Hard Feed Should You Give?
Follow these guidelines:
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Start with the minimum recommended amount on the feed bag
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Split into 2–3 small meals
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Never feed more than 2kg per meal
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Increase gradually over 7–10 days
Large meals overwhelm the digestive system.
5. Don’t Forget Vitamins & Minerals
Even forage‑only horses need:
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A balancer or
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A vitamin/mineral supplement
This prevents deficiencies in:
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Zinc
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Copper
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Selenium
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Vitamin E
These nutrients are often low in UK forage.
6. Feeding Based on Workload
Light Work (hacking, light schooling)
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Mostly forage
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Balancer or small fibre feed
Moderate Work (regular schooling, low‑level competition)
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Forage
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Fibre‑based hard feed
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Optional oil for extra calories
Hard Work (eventing, showjumping, endurance)
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Forage
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Higher‑energy feeds
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Oil or conditioning feeds
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Electrolytes
7. Feeding Based on Body Type
Good‑Doers
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Low‑calorie forage
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Soaked hay
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Balancer only
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Avoid mixes and molasses
Poor‑Doers
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High‑quality forage
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Conditioning cubes
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Beet pulp
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Oil for slow‑release calories
Laminitic Horses
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Low‑sugar forage
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Soaked hay
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No cereals
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Specialist balancer
8. Feeding Based on Age
Young Horses
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Higher protein
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Balanced minerals
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Controlled growth
Adults
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Forage‑based diet
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Adjust based on workload
Seniors
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Easily digestible fibre
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Mash feeds
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Dental‑friendly options
9. Feeding Do’s & Don’ts
Do
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Feed little and often
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Make changes slowly
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Provide fresh water
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Feed according to weight, not guesswork
Don’t
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Make sudden diet changes
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Feed large meals
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Rely on treats
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Overfeed cereals
10. When to Call a Nutritionist or Vet
Seek help if your horse:
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Struggles to maintain weight
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Gains weight too easily
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Has metabolic issues
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Has ulcers or digestive problems
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Has inconsistent droppings
A tailored plan can make a huge difference.