Spring is a time of waking up. After winter, horses return to more regular work, spend more time in the paddock, and fresh grass gradually appears in the diet. This is when it is particularly worth watching body weight and muscle condition. Many horses come out of winter with a loss of muscle or a slight drop in condition, so the spring diet should support rebuilding condition. For weight gain, the best feeds are those high in fibre and in highly digestible protein, that is, protein rich in essential amino acids.
In summer, nutritional needs change again. High temperatures, intensive training, competitions and long days at pasture can have a marked effect on the horse’s electrolyte balance and hydration. That is why many owners choose to supplement electrolytes and products that support recovery in the summer. For sport horses, it is worth paying attention to an adequate energy supply, so that the diet does not burden the digestive system but still provides the strength needed for work.
Autumn, in turn, is the time to prepare for winter. Less grass in the pasture, swings in temperature and higher humidity can affect digestion and immunity. It is the ideal moment to add ingredients that support the immune system: vitamins, trace elements and natural raw materials such as nettle or rosehip. Many horses have a greater appetite for forage at this time of year, so it is important to provide high-quality hay and to make up any shortfalls with a suitably chosen concentrate.
Winter, on the other hand, reminds us how much good-quality fibre and a steady supply of energy matter. Cold raises the calorie requirement by as much as several dozen per cent. Horses, especially those kept on full-time turnout, need more hay and a stable source of energy, ideally from fibre and fats. This is also the time when hydration problems are easy to miss. Low temperatures put horses off drinking, and water freezing in the troughs restricts access still further. In winter, make sure the horse has access to fresh water that is not too cold. Offering it slightly warmed is a good idea.
This review of the year above all makes clear that a horse’s needs are not fixed. They change with the season, and watching those changes consciously lets you respond in time, before problems with body weight, immunity or fitness appear. The new year is an excellent moment to take an even more considered approach to feeding. That way your horse will enter the year ahead in good shape – ready for further training and new challenges!