Working out the right portion of horse feed comes down to one simple idea: most horses do best on a hay-first feeding plan. This means hay or pasture should make up the majority of the daily intake, with grain or other concentrate feeds added only when a horse’s energy needs, workload, or body condition score call for it. The specific amount depends on body weight, age, workload, digestive health, and whether the horse is in maintenance, performance, or weight gain mo
BHS Rules for Feeding Horses: A Practical Horse Feed Guide
Bifid UK +44 800 422 0888 [email protected] https://bifid.com/uk/ What the BHS Means by Safe, Balanced Horse Feeding Effective horse feeding relies with a forage-first principle. That means the base of the diet should be grazing, hay , or haylage , with any horse feed added only to satisfy specific nutritional requirements . The BHS-style view of feeding is straightforward rather than complicated: protect the digestive health of the horse, tailor the
Horse Feed for Training Support: What to Feed and Why
How horse feed supports for work and recovery Selecting the right horse feed is about more than adding energy. For training support , feed should help a horse maintain steady energy , appropriate condition , and the ability to recover between sessions. A well-balanced ration supports not only performance, but also digestive health , focus, and steadiness in the school, field, or competition arena. The best approach starts with the horse as an individual. Ag
Horse Feed for Dressage Horses: What to Choose and Why
What defines horse feed right for dressage horses? The ideal horse feed for dressage horses is one that promotes work, attention and recovery without bringing about unwanted fizz. Dressage puts a premium on equilibrium, rhythm, suppleness and the ability to sit and engage, so feed choice must support energy levels that are even rather than explosive. A horse with too much sharp energy may feel tense, while one without enough fuel can show less expression, power
An overabundance of horse feed is more than just a question of price or appetite; it is a question of calories, digestible energy, workload, and digestive health. The correct amount depends on the horse’s body condition score, daily ration, forage intake, and the type of feed being used. A horse that looks hungry may still be receiving enough horse feed, while another may be getting too many calories from concentrates, hard feed, or a calorie-dense complete horse feed. T
Why hoof health starts with the right horse feed Hoof health begins long before the farrier trims a foot. It begins with feeding , and the quality of your horse feed has a major impact on hoof condition , hoof development , and overall hoof structure . Hoof horn consists chiefly of keratin , a essential protein that depends on a steady supply of amino acids , nutrients, and usable energy. When the ration lacks the right building blocks, the hoof capsule ma
The safest answer is usually: not quickly. Most horse feed changes should be made over a slow transition of about 7 to 10 days, and in some cases longer for sensitive horses. A careful feed change supports digestive health, supports hindgut fermentation, and gives the digestive system time to acclimate to new levels of fiber, starch, protein, and calories. Even if the new horse feed looks similar, a sudden switch can still disrupt gut health and cause digestive upset. How
What Young Foals Need from Horse Feed Picking the right horse feed for growing foals starts with understanding foal nutrition . A young horse is not just a lesser version of an adult horse. A weanling and a yearling are developing bone, muscle, and body condition at a rapid pace, so their diet must support healthy development without driving growth too hard. The goal is balanced nutrition that helps with muscle development , skeletal growth , and lon