How to feed your horse correctly

Large riding and sport horses have a higher energy and protein requirement than ponies and Icelanders, but they still often struggle with being overweight – in fact, studies show that more than one in four horses in Denmark is overweight.
Whether your horse is a leisure horse or a competition horse, roughage, protein, vitamins and minerals and Omega-3 are the foundation for a healthy body and good performance.

Horses get sick if they don't get the right roughage in sufficient quantities. Horses are naturally designed to eat most of the day and night, and feeding them in a way that respects this reduces the risk of many diseases.

How do you feed your horse correctly?

It can be said very briefly:

• Minimum 1.5 kg of roughage per 100 kg of body weight per day – preferably more if the horse can tolerate it without becoming fat

• Minimum 8 hours of eating time per day (preferably ad libitum)

• The horse may not be left without roughage (grass, hay or wrap) for a maximum of 5 hours.

• The sugar content in the roughage should be low: preferably below 5-7%.

👉 If the horse gets too fat:

• Choose roughage with low energy content (0.4–0.5 FE per kg dry matter)

• Replace up to 25% of the hay/wrap with straw

• Use slow feeders to extend eating time

💡 Good roughage with low sugar content reduces the risk of stomach ulcers, colic, constipation and intestinal torsion.

Your horse also needs vitamins, minerals and protein.

Even when the roughage is of good quality, it does not cover all needs.
Your horse should always have:

• Vitamins and minerals

• Protein

• Salt and electrolytes

👉 Otherwise, the horse will end up in a deficit, which in the long run will cause health problems.

Protein – often the forgotten factor

Horses need approximately 1.5 g crude protein per kg body weight per day .

👉 If the roughage is low in protein (e.g. late-harvested wrap or hay from unfertilized fields), it is necessary to supplement.

If the horse lacks protein, it can manifest as:

• poor or missing muscle tone

• dull coat and bad hooves

• reduced recovery ability

Examples of protein content in roughage and feed materials

👉 That's why it's important to have your roughage analyzed. If you have wrap or hay from unfertilized fields, it's almost always necessary to supplement with a protein source.

What does your horse weigh?

Knowing your horse's weight is essential for good feeding.

How to do it:

1. Place the horse on a flat surface.

2. Measure the circumference of the girth bed (in meters).

3. Use the formula: girth measurement³ × 80 = body weight in kg

Example:

• Waist measurement = 205 cm (2.05 m)

• 2.05 × 2.05 × 2.05 = 8.6

• 8.6 × 80 = 688 kg
  
  Or buy a weight measuring tape and you won't have to do the math.

Normal or overweight horses

• Feed with Every Day Happy and salt and +Fiber Mash (low calorie)

• Allocate vitamins and minerals according to actual weight – not desired weight

• Adjust down as the horse loses weight.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily – it improves insulin sensitivity

👉 Remember: At least one in four horses in Denmark is overweight. Many owners think that their horses should look rounder than is healthy. Therefore, please ask your veterinarian or professional for an objective assessment of the horse's condition.

Energy-demanding horses

Horses in hard work, breeding or competition – or horses that are too thin – need more calories to maintain weight and working energy.

• Use +Energy Fiber Mash for blood sugar neutral energy (the horse won't get "hot")

• Combine with salt and Every Day Happy or Peak Performance

• Choose Peak Performance if your horse needs extra support for:

  • joints, tendons, muscles and bones

  • injury management and stress

  • better learning

Does your horse have special needs?

Then you can book a telephone consultation and get an individual feeding plan that takes into account your horse's weight, age, work and health.

Brief summary

1️⃣ Good roughage is the foundation – minimum 1.5 kg per 100 kg body weight.
2️⃣ The roughage must have a low sugar content (below 7%).
3️⃣ Horses should never go more than 5 hours without roughage.
4️⃣ The protein requirement is 1.5 g crude protein per kg body weight – otherwise the horse risks muscle loss, poor coat and weak hooves.
5️⃣ Vitamins and minerals should always be given according to actual weight .
6️⃣ Adjust calories up or down depending on the horse's condition and work level.