Feeding a horse: complete guide ration, hay, prohibited foods

A horse does not eat like a dog, nor like a cow. Its stomach barely holds 15 liters, its intestine is immense, and it was designed by evolution to snack on grass 15 hours a day. Successfully feeding a horse does not mean stuffing him with pellets or throwing him a bale of hay once a day: it means respecting precise digestive mechanics, calibrating a ration in kilos and liters, and knowing what you should never give him. Here is the guide to understanding how to feed a horse, from fodder to salt stone, and move from “I think I’m doing it right” to “I know what I’m serving”.

How a horse's digestion works

The horse is a monogastric herbivore designed to eat almost continuously: its stomach is barely 15 to 18 liters, but its cecum exceeds 30 liters and ferments plant fibers. This anatomy explains almost all the feeding rules that you will read next: it's not a whim, it's mechanics.

It all starts with chewing. A horse grinds its fodder between its molars for several minutes, salivating profusely to prepare for swallowing. In the wild, it spends between 15 and 17 hours a day eating small quantities. It is this slow, continuous rhythm that protects his stomach, which secretes acid constantly and needs a constant flow of fiber to avoid irritation.

The food bolus then passes into the small stomach (15 to 18 liters only), then into the small intestine where sugars, proteins and lipids are absorbed. The fermentation of the fibers takes place further, in the caecum and the large colon: a real bioreactor where bacteria transform cellulose into energy. The complete transit lasts 30 to 40 hours in a healthy horse.

Three specifics to keep in mind before each distribution:

• A horse cannot vomit: everything it swallows must come out through the bottom, hence the seriousness of any dietary error.
• His stomach secretes acid continuously, whether he eats or not. Prolonged fasting promotes gastric ulcers.
• The fibers are vital: without them, the microbial flora of the cecum becomes disrupted and colic occurs.

Forage, the essential basis of a horse's diet

Forage is the cornerstone of any equine ration: hay, grass or haylage must represent at least 60 to 70% of what your horse swallows each day. Without this base, no concentrate will compensate in the long term.

The target quantity is calculated simply: 1.5 to 2% of live weight in dry matter, distributed over the day. For an average riding horse of 500 kg, this amounts to 7.5 to 10 kg of dry hay daily. Horses with controlled body condition or ponies fall below this range; growing, pregnant or sport horses can greatly exceed it.

Hay comes in several forms depending on the region and the season. The fresh grass of a well-managed meadow remains ideal in spring and autumn, but its richness in fast sugars exposes you to laminitis if the passage is poorly managed. dry hay is the winter standard and in boxes. silage and haylage (fermented wet fodder) are suitable for certain horses but require impeccable quality, otherwise they turn into a digestive nightmare.

Before serving a bale, systematically check the quality of the hay:

• Odor: healthy hay smells like dry grass, never musty or ammonia.
• Color: pale green to golden green, never dark brown or blackish.
• Dust: hay that is too dusty damages the respiratory tract, to the point of causing emphysema (RAO).
• Presence of mold: zero tolerated. Just one moldy boot can trigger serious colic.
• Unwanted plants: spot ragwort, prickly thistles or toxic seeds before distribution.

The transition from pre to box or box to pre must always be gradual over 7 to 10 days. A horse that is suddenly thrown into a spring meadow after a winter on dry hay experiences a digestive shock that can knock it to the ground.

Concentrated foods: cereals, granules, flakes

Concentrates are an adjustment, not the basis: they correct an energy deficit when forage is no longer sufficient, but should never exceed 50% of the total ration. Ideally, we cap at 25 to 30%.

A leisure horse in the field, ridden three times a week, often has no need for concentrates. It's even counterproductive: we provide him with fast sugars that he won't use, we unbalance his intestinal flora and we expose him to colic. Conversely, a sports horse, a pregnant mare in the 9th month, a growing foal or a emaciated senior need a targeted supplement.

The common cereals remain oats, barley and corn. Oats are the most digestible, traditionally served flattened or crushed. Barley provides more energy but must be soaked or cooked to digest it properly. corn is very energetic but rich in starch, use with caution. The absolute rule: never give more than 2 kg of cereals in a single meal, under penalty of acidosis and laminitis.

Industrial granules and flakes have a major advantage: their balanced formulation. Reading the label carefully allows you to target the right product according to the profile: “maintenance”, “sport”, “growth”, “senior”, “mare continued”. Check the MADC rate (horse digestible nitrogenous matter) and the CFU rate (horse fodder unit) provides information on the actual energy and protein intake.

Three situations where a concentrate becomes relevant:

• Regular Sustained effort (competition, endurance, intense daily work).
• Pregnant or lactating mare from the 7th month of gestation.
• Growing foal or senior horse struggling to maintain body condition.

Daily water, minerals and vitamins

A horse drinks 30 to 50 liters of water per day, increasing to 80 liters in summer or during heavy exercise, and the salt stone must remain accessible at all times to cover 30 g of daily sodium. Water and minerals are not a detail, they are half of the nutrition equation.

The water must always be clean, fresh and available. A dirty water trough or stale water is quickly shunned by the horse, which becomes dehydrated without warning. In winter, be careful of frost: a horse that cannot drink for 24 hours because its water trough is frozen risks impaction colic. Check twice a day, break the ice if necessary, provide an anti-freeze drinker for exposed stables.

The salt stone (pure sodium chloride or enriched with minerals) covers basic sodium needs and stimulates drinking. Count one stone in the pasture and one in the box, fixed at head height. Pure salt costs a few euros and prevents hours of avoidable colic.

Minerals and vitamins can be summed up in one word: balance. The calcium / phosphorus ratio must remain between 1.5/1 and 2/1. A ration mainly based on cereals (rich in phosphorus) without hay (rich in calcium) unbalances this ratio and weakens the bones. zinc and copper support the skin, hooves and coat. Vitamins A, D and E are generally covered by quality fresh fodder, but a prolonged stay in the box without green grass requires a targeted CMV (vitamin mineral supplement).

Building a horse's daily ration

Building a ration can be done in four simple steps: estimate the live weight, assess the body condition on a scale of 1 to 9, judge the level of work, then calculate the fodder and any concentrates in kilos of dry matter. The table below gives four typical profiles.

The body condition is noted on a standard scale from 1 (very thin) to 9 (very fat), by feeling the ribs, withers, rump and tail attachment. A horse in ideal condition has ribs that are invisible but palpable without pressing hard, a smooth croup and a defined neck without fat. This simple gesture, done every 15 days, allows you to adjust the ration well before a problem sets in.

The distribution is done in 3 to 4 meals minimum per day. A single giant ration explodes the gastric pH, causes acidosis and ulcers, and triggers colic. Conversely, regular splitting respects the horse's physiological rhythm. In the meadow with unlimited hay, continuous snacking occurs naturally.

Checklist to check before each distribution:

• Inspect the hay: healthy odor, absence of thick dust, zero mold.
• Check the water: clean, at the correct temperature, in sufficient quantity.
• Clean the feeder: no fermented residue from the previous meal, no droppings falling in.
• Check the salt stone: present, accessible, not eaten away up to the support.
• Adapt the quantity: according to the body condition observed the day before and the work planned for the day.
• Distribute calmly: avoid serving just before or just after intense effort, wait at least 1 hour.

Special cases: foal, pregnant mare, senior, sport horse

Each physiological profile requires an adjusted ration: a growing foal, a pregnant mare, a toothless senior or a competition horse do not have the same needs or the same risks. Here are the adjustments to know for five typical cases encountered on a daily basis.

• Foal: transition from lactation to fodder between 4 and 8 months. Introduce a growth pellet rich in proteins (16 to 18% MADC) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, lysine). Monitor the growth curve without forcing the pace, otherwise you risk osteoarticular disorders (OCD).
• Pregnant or lactating mare: energy needs increased by 30 to 50% in the 9th month and during the 3 months of lactation. Add a targeted mare concentrate, check vitamin E and selenium intake, maintain fodder of impeccable quality.
• Senior horse (≥ 18 years old): less effective chewing, worn teeth, slowed digestion. Choose chopped or soaked hay, wet pellets to facilitate swallowing, monitor weight every month and adapt to the slightest sign of weight loss.
• Sport horse: energy requirement 1.5 to 2 times higher than a leisure horse. Divide into 4 meals per day minimum, increase water (up to 60 L/day during competitions), monitor electrolytes after intense exercise, never serve a large meal within 2 hours after work.
• Pony and horses at risk of laminitis: more modest ration, limited access to sweet spring grass (anti-grazing basket if necessary), fodder with low sugar content (late hay), zero cereals if no sustained activity.

Forbidden and dangerous foods: what you should never give

Certain foods that are harmless to humans are a digestive bomb for horses: industrial bread, raw potatoes, cabbage, onions, avocado or fresh lawn clippings top the list of avoidable colic. The prudent rule: if in doubt, don't give.

The list of foods to absolutely ban:

• White bread, cakes, biscuits, pastries: industrial fast sugars which trigger acidosis and laminitis, paste which forms blockages in the intestine.
• Raw potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, leeks, avocado, rhubarb, green tomatoes: toxic or indigestible, certain plants contain solanine or poorly tolerated sulfur compounds.
• Mowing fresh lawn: rapid fermentation in the large intestine triggers gas colic within a few hours, sometimes fatal.
• Dangerous meadow plants: yew, oleander, Jacob's ragwort, bracken, datura, foxglove, acorns in large quantities (cumulative toxicity).
• Milk, meat, fish, salted table scraps: unsuitable for the equine digestive system and sources of deficiencies or poisoning.
• Food intended for other animals: pellets for ruminants (may contain additives toxic to horses such as ionophore monensin), kibble for dogs or cats.

Suitable treats exist: apple cut into quarters (never whole, risk of choking), carrot sticks, piece of banana, cane sugar in small quantities, or industrial treats dedicated to horses. To be given in moderation: no more than two to three treats per day, never as a substitute for a meal, never by hand if you are working on a young horse who is biting.

Frequent mistakes made by beginners in horse nutrition

Four mistakes are systematically made by novice owners: too many concentrates, not enough fodder, single ration instead of splitting, and sudden change of food. Correcting them costs nothing and avoids the majority of avoidable colic.

Mistakes not to make:

• Giving too much pellets and not enough hay: this is the biggest mistake. We want to “do well” and we unbalance the ration. Always start with forage, then adjust the concentrates.
• Serve a single ration instead of dividing it: 1 meal per day of 8 kg = guaranteed disaster in the medium term. Split over 3 to 4 distributions minimum.
• Suddenly change brand, batch of hay or pellets: the intestinal flora needs 7 to 10 days to adapt. Mix the old and new gradually, increasing the ratio over 10 days.
• Forget the salt stone or water in winter: a horse that does not drink for 24 hours has an impaction, period. Check the water trough morning and evening in winter.
• Distribute just before or after a big effort: the blood is mobilized for the muscles, not for digestion. Wait at least 1 hour before and after intense work.
• Give treats by hand without direction: the horse ends up nibbling, searching the pockets, becoming clingy. Distribute in the feeder or the hand placed flat, never as a systematic reward.

Equipment, accessories and gift ideas for horse enthusiasts

Feeding your horse well is not just about buying hay: a good stable accessory, a gift that speaks to a child rider or a decorative object for the stable extends the bond with the horse well beyond the meal. Univers Cheval does not sell fodder, but supports this daily life with a targeted selection.

Our useful or pleasure collections around the horse world:

• Horse riding accessories: the basis for taking care of your horse on a daily basis, from grooming to the small parts that change life in the stable.
• Horse accessories: wide range of practical and decorative accessories that equip a stable or box beyond just feeding.
• Horse soft toys: ideal for children who are discovering the equine world and learning about the needs of a horse, with a companion to cuddle.
• Horse figurines: valuable for explaining concretely to a child what a horse eats, how a meadow is built, how a herd lives.
• Horse jewelry: the gift collection for enthusiasts, from the discreet bracelet to the signature ring, to carry your love of horses every day.
• Horse decoration: to decorate a tack room, a child's equestrian bedroom or a living room where the horse reigns supreme.

These accessories never replace a good ration, but they nourish the passion that makes you take good care of a horse day after day.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about feeding a horse

Here are the summary answers to the six questions most asked by owners and riders who wonder about a horse's daily diet.

What is a horse's diet

The horse is a strict herbivore which feeds mainly on plant fibers: grass in the meadow, dry hay, possibly haylage or quality silage. It completes its diet with a small portion of concentrates (cereals or pellets) depending on its level of activity, and constantly needs clean water and a source of salt. In the wild, it grazes for up to 17 hours a day: it is this continuous nibbling, and not three large meals, that corresponds to its physiology.

What foods should never be given to a horse

Industrial bread, raw potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, avocado, rhubarb, fresh lawn clippings and certain plants (yew, oleander, ragwort, bracken) should be absolutely avoided. Added to this are foods intended for other species (granules for ruminants, dog or cat kibble), salty table scraps and anything that contains industrial fast sugars. When in doubt, the rule is simple: don’t give.

What is the horse's favorite food

Most horses love apples, carrots and cane sugar, but they are treats, not a food base. Their physiological favorite food remains fresh grass from a well-kept meadow, followed by good-smelling, well-dried quality hay. As for treats, we limit ourselves to two or three small portions per day, given in the feeder or with the hand placed flat so as not to encourage biting behavior.

How many times a day should you feed a horse

At least 3 to 4 feedings per day, ideally with unlimited fodder to reproduce the horse's natural snacking. A single ration of 8 kg of hay served at once is a classic error which promotes ulcers, acidosis and colic. In the meadow with abundant grass, the horse manages its own rhythm. In the box, you have to split it manually: morning, noon, evening, and ideally one last service before nighttime to avoid prolonged nighttime fasting.

How much water does a horse drink per day

An adult horse consumes between 30 and 50 liters of water per day under normal conditions, up to 80 liters in summer or during intense exercise. This consumption varies depending on the outside temperature, the type of forage (dry hay requires more water than fresh grass), the level of activity and the physiological state (above average lactating mare). The water must always be clean, fresh, freely accessible, and in winter you must break the ice in the water trough morning and evening.

What are the 4 types of food for a horse

We traditionally distinguish four families: fodder (hay, grass, haylage), concentrates (cereals, pellets, flakes), water and minerals and vitamins (salt stone, CMV). Fodder constitutes 60 to 70% of the ration and remains the non-negotiable basis. Concentrates adjust energy intake according to activity. Water and minerals are vital and permanent. This distribution into four pillars structures any balanced equine ration, from the leisure horse to the sport horse in competition.