Equine Nutrition 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Feeding Your Horse Right

By Abigail Greenwalt, Certified Equine Nutritionist and Positive Reinforcement Trainer

As horse owners, we know that proper nutrition is one of the most critical elements of horse care. Yet, it often feels overwhelming—there are so many options, conflicting advice, and complex nutritional science. Trust me, I’ve been there! Despite studying equine nutrition during my animal science degree, I didn’t fully enjoy it—until I completed my recent certification in Equine Nutrition, which reignited my interest in the topic.

In this blog post, I’ll break down the essentials of equine nutrition in a way that’s simple, practical, and, most importantly, beneficial for your horse’s health and happiness. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

Understanding the Horse’s Digestive System

The first step to feeding your horse right is understanding how their unique digestive system works. Unlike cows or goats (who are ruminants with multi-chambered stomachs), horses are hindgut fermenters. Fun fact: rabbits share this same digestive system!

The Hindgut Fermentation Process

• Location: The majority of a horse’s digestion happens in the cecum—a large fermentation vat located after the stomach.

• Purpose: This is where complex, fibrous forages are broken down by beneficial bacteria. These microbes ferment the fiber and produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which serve as a major energy source.

• Gut Microbiome: A healthy microbiome is crucial. It not only helps digest fibrous forage but also synthesizes certain vitamins essential for your horse’s well-being.

Unique Digestive Traits

• No Gallbladder: Horses lack a gallbladder, limiting their ability to digest large amounts of fat. Their liver compensates for this, but they still process fats differently than many other animals.

• Continuous Grazers: Horses are designed to graze for many hours daily. Their stomachs continuously secrete acid, which means prolonged periods without forage can lead to ulcers and other digestive issues.

Macronutrients: The Building Blocks of Equine Nutrition

A well-balanced equine diet hinges on three primary macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

1. Proteins: The Body’s Building Blocks

Proteins are essential for muscle development, immune function, and more. When digested, proteins break down into amino acids, which are categorized as:

• Essential Amino Acids (must be provided in the diet): Lysine, Methionine, and Threonine.

• Non-Essential Amino Acids (synthesized by the body): Alanine and Glutamine.

How Much Protein Does Your Horse Need?

• Adult horses require approximately 1.08 to 1.44 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

• Growing horses, pregnant mares, and elderly horses may need more.

2. Fats: A Source of Cool Energy

Fats provide energy without causing the “hot” behavior often associated with high-sugar diets. They also support a healthy coat and skin.

• Ideal Omega Ratio: Aim for a 4:1 ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 to minimize inflammation.

• Safe Limits: Keep total fat content under 15-20% of the diet.

Good sources include ground flaxseed and chia seeds.

3. Carbohydrates: The Primary Energy Source

Carbs are the backbone of your horse’s energy intake, but not all carbs are created equal.

• Hydrolyzable Carbohydrates (WSC/ESC):
  These simple sugars are digested in the small intestine, leading to rapid absorption and blood sugar spikes. Common sources: molasses, grains, and certain hays.

• Fermentable Carbohydrates (NSC):
  These escape small intestine digestion and are fermented in the hindgut, producing VFAs for slow-release energy. While beneficial, excessive NSC can lead to hindgut acidosis, disrupting gut bacteria and potentially causing colic or laminitis.

Managing NSCs:

• Especially important for metabolically sensitive horses (e.g., those with insulin resistance or Cushing’s).

• Opt for low-NSC forages and limit high-starch grains.

Inflammatory Ingredients: What to Avoid

Inflammation is at the root of many equine health issues. One major contributor? Imbalanced Omega fatty acids.

• Omega-6 to Omega-3 Imbalance:
  Wild horse diets typically had a 1:1 to 4:1 ratio. Modern diets often tip this scale heavily toward Omega-6s, sometimes reaching 20:1, which promotes chronic inflammation.

Ingredients High in Omega-6 (to Avoid):

• Soy: 6:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio

• Corn: A staggering 55:1

• Barley, Rye, Wheat: Ranging from 8:1 to 10:1

• Molasses & Sugar: Highly inflammatory

Chronic inflammation can lead to:

• Ulcers

• Colic

• Insulin resistance

• Cushing’s

• Laminitis

• Poor coat and hoof quality

• Behavioral issues

Building a Balanced Diet: What SHOULD You Feed?

1. Forage, Forage, Forage!

• Your horse should consume 2% of their body weight in forage daily (for a 1,000 lb horse, that’s 20 lbs of hay).

• Opt for low-NSC hays like Bermuda or Teff for metabolic horses.

2. Salt & Minerals

• Salt: Feed 2 tablespoons of non-iodized salt daily. Salt blocks alone don’t cut it!

• Minerals: Consider a forage balancer or get a Metals and Minerals Mane Test for a personalized approach.

3. Supplements

• If you can’t do a full analysis, start with a balanced supplement like Vermont Blend.

4. Training Treats

• Use soaked forage pellets (like Timothy or Teff) during positive reinforcement sessions.

• For high-value treats, opt for alfalfa pellets or alfalfa-based treats.

Testing, Not Guessing: The Key to Success

One of the best things you can do for your horse is to test rather than guess.

• Hay Testing: Know what’s in your forage to better balance the rest of the diet.

• Metals & Minerals Mane Testing: Understand how your horse is metabolizing nutrients and adjust accordingly.

Final Thoughts: Prioritize Your Horse’s Health

Proper equine nutrition isn’t just about preventing issues—it’s about helping your horse thrive. By understanding their digestive system, balancing macronutrients, and avoiding inflammatory ingredients, you set your horse up for long-term health and happiness.

If you’d like a personalized nutrition plan for your horse, I offer one-on-one consultations, including mane testing and a custom diet plan. Together, we can help your horse feel their absolute best!

Thanks for reading and, as always—happy training and happy feeding! 🐎💚

Want to know more?

I have a quick and dirty Equine Nutrition Reference Sheet that includes basics for equine nutrition, a comprehensive list of ingredients to avoid, and what I recommend for training, complete with links! Click here to get the Equine Nutrition Reference Sheet!

Or

Schedule a nutrition consult with me, that includes a Minerals and Metals Mane Test. We’ll make a personalized plan for your individual horse!
Schedule here!