1. Too little forage
The foundation of every horse’s diet is forage, above all hay. A horse should receive a minimum of 1.5–2% of body weight per day as dry matter from forage. In practice, that means a horse of 500 kg should eat at least 7.5–10 kg of hay a day. Too little hay, or breaks in access to it, lead to excess stomach acid, ulcers and behavioural problems.
2. Portions of concentrate that are too large at one time
The horse’s digestive system is not adapted to taking in large doses of starch in a single meal. Feeding generous portions of concentrate, especially cereals, increases the risk of colic, disturbed fermentation in the gut and laminitis. Concentrate should be divided into several smaller meals through the day, and the amount should always be matched to the horse’s actual level of work.
3. Feeding “by eye”, without analysing the diet
One of the most common mistakes is a failure to balance the diet properly. Many owners choose a feed “because it worked for another horse”, or go only by the ingredients on the label, without taking account of the horse’s work or its state of health. Yet even the best feed will not do its job if the diet as a whole is not balanced for energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Shortfalls of copper, zinc and selenium, or an incorrect ratio of calcium to phosphorus, are particularly common.
4. Excessive supplementation
Supplements are sometimes treated as an “insurance policy” – the more, the better. That is a mistake. Giving several products at once can push trace elements past safe levels, especially iron, selenium or the fat-soluble vitamins. Instead of improving the horse’s condition, this can place a burden on the liver and kidneys. Supplementation should be based on your horse’s real needs, with the right balance of trace elements.
5. Sudden changes in feeding
Every change of feed or feeding system should be introduced gradually, ideally over 7–14 days. Sudden changes disturb the gut microflora and are one of the most common causes of colic and diarrhoea. This includes changes that seem “harmless”, such as fresh grass in spring.
To sum up, most feeding mistakes do not come from a lack of care, but from repeating set patterns and from the lack of an individual approach. If you are unsure about your horse’s diet, it is worth discussing it with an equine nutrition specialist or a veterinary surgeon. A well-balanced diet is an investment in the health, fitness and longevity of your horse!