Diet and Nutrition
Carbohydrates to Minerals
As with humans, horses also require a balanced diet. They need the right amount of nutrients and vitamins, as well as carbohydrates, protein and fats, for proper digestive function. Giving your horse a balanced diet will ensure a healthy weight, with enough energy for growth, work and for repair if your horse were to sustain an injury.
Proteins and fats are important for growth and repair as well as being good sources of energy, particularly for horses in hard work, foals and also mares that are in foal or lactating (producing milk). Many supplementary feeds include both proteins and fats.
Carbohydrates form the basis of a horse's nutrient needs and are present in grass and most supplementary feeds. Found in sugars, starches and cellulose, carbohydrates provide all-round energy, from quick-release through the sugars, to slow-release from the starches.
Vitamins and minerals also form an important part of a horse's diet, occurring naturally in grass and commonly included in supplementary feeds. It is important not to over-supplement your horse with one particular vitamin or mineral, as this could inhibit the uptake of other vitamins and minerals by the body. Mineral blocks and licks are available for your horse either in the field or the stable, so that your horse has access to the necessary minerals.
Feeding
Horses naturally browse and graze for much of their time while out in the field. Their natural diet includes different types and ages of grasses, as well as herbs and weeds. Old pasture is good for most horses and ponies, with hay also required during the winter months. In a modern sown pasture there is less chance of having the nutritional diversity of an older pasture, with one or two grass types dominating. This may mean that supplementary feeding is needed at some times if there are not enough grasses and herbs.
Watering
It is very important to ensure that your horse has enough water. Horses drink approximately 27-54 litres of water per day. This is dependent on the weather, their diet and also the level of work they are doing. Water is an essential part of a horse's diet and it is vital that they have access to fresh, clean water at all times, both in the stable and in the field.