How a mare’s nutritional needs shift 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 energy, amino acids, minerals, and water. During this milking phase , the mare’s energy needs rise and her protein needs grow so she can maintain body condition while supporting the foal. The feeding goal is no
What Is a good doer Horse? A good doer is a horse or pony that keeps condition easily and takes surprisingly little feed to keep in sound condition. Many owners also call this type an easy keeper . These animals often make effective use of calories, so they can put on weight quickly if their ration is too generous or too calorie-dense. The most reliable way to judge whether a horse is a good doer is by using a body condition score alongside careful observat
Understanding Nutrient-Dense Horse Feed Nutrient dense feeding begins with the idea that a horse should receive the right calories , protein , fat , fiber , vitamins , and minerals without unnecessary bulk or excess starch. Quality horse feed supports body condition, digestive comfort, and the specific demands of work, growth, or recovery. A nutrient-dense ration is not simply the feed with the highest energy density; it is the option that delivers usable
What’s a High-Fat Horse Feed and When Should You Use It?
What Is a High-Fat Horse Feed? A high fat horse feed is a type of horse feed formulated with a greater fat percentage than regular feeds, usually to raise calorie density without relying heavily on starch. That matters because fat supplies dense digestible energy , which can aid body condition, exercise demands, and recovery without forcing a horse to eat large amounts of feed. In practical terms, high fat feeds are created to deliver more usable calorie
What Makes Horse Feed Right for Performance Horses? Picking the right horse feed for athletic horses starts with understanding the horse’s workload, how hard it works, and how well it holds condition. A rope horse, barrel horse, eventer, jumper, or endurance horse may all need different support from the same basic horse feed . The goal is not simply to add calories. The goal is to support digestible energy , steady stamina, recovery , and a healthy body score
High Fiber Horse Feed: Choosing the Right Option and Why It’s Important
What Is High Fiber Horse Feed? High fiber horse feed is a form of horse feed designed to provide more easily digestible fiber and less reliance on starch-rich ingredients. Instead of using mainly horse feed grain , these formulas rely on fiber sources such as beet pulp, soy hulls, alfalfa meal, and other ingredients that support steady energy and digestive function. Within the broader world of types of horse feed , high fiber formulas sit between plain forag
Choosing the right horse feed for a horse with an upset digestive system is more than choosing the most popular bag and instead about matching the diet to how the horse’s gut actually works. Horses with ulcers , a history of colic , or a sensitive hindgut health profile usually do better on feeds that are high fiber , low starch , and low sugar . The goal is to support digestion, help guard the stomach from excess stomach acid , and encourage healthy
The simple answer is that most horses do best with 2 meals a day , but the best feeding frequency depends on the horse’s digestive system , activity level, body condition, and how much forage intake they get. A well-planned horse feed plan always starts with roughage, then adds a measured amount of concentrate feed only when needed. For many horses, the question is not just once versus twice daily. It is whether the feeding schedule supports digestive h