Stress in horses – how feeding can help

A change of yard, a competition or a longer rehabilitation after injury can put a horse under a great deal of stress. It shows not only as nervousness, but also as loss of appetite, loss of bodyweight, lower immunity or digestive trouble. Stress in horses affects the whole body, from the nervous system to the gut microflora. At those times the right feeding can do a great deal to help the horse adapt and to ease the effects of tension.

Less appetite in hot weather – how to encourage eating

As the temperature rises, horses, like people, start to feel the heat. A high air temperature raises body temperature, and the horse works hard to cool down. Heavy sweating, weakness and fatigue are natural responses to heat stress. As a result, horses very often go off their feed. Why does that happen, and how can you help a horse eat on hot days?

Does the diet affect stamina in work?

It is a question many owners and riders ask, especially those working with sport horses. Fitness, strength and the ability to keep energy up through work do not depend on training alone. Everyday feeding plays an enormous part. A properly balanced diet can improve condition a great deal, and feeding mistakes soon show in form, recovery and willingness to work.

Forage and concentrates

Correct feeding starts with the basic division of feeds. Whether the horse is a leisure horse, a sport horse or a breeding horse, the diet always rests on two groups: forage and concentrates. The balance between them decides the health of the gut, how steady the energy is, and the horse's overall condition.

How to protect horses from dehydration

Dehydration in horses is most often linked with hot weather and hard work, yet it can be a risk all year round. Horses control body temperature mainly by sweating, and their sweat carries large amounts of electrolytes. Along with the water, the body therefore loses minerals that the muscles, the nervous system and fluid balance all need.

Feeding a young horse

Young horses from 4 to 6 years old are a special group. On the one hand the intense growth phase is behind them; on the other they are still developing, and they are only just starting regular work under saddle. This is a time when the diet should support both steady development and adaptation to physical work. The right feeding has a huge influence on muscle, a strong skeleton, a calm character and willingness to work.

Why are horses always hungry?

Many owners ask themselves, “why does my horse behave as if it were hungry all the time?” They often read it as a lack of energy, or as a mistake in how much feed they give. In reality it rarely comes from too few calories. Much more often it follows from the way a horse's digestion works, from natural behaviour, and from how the horse is kept…

Seasonal allergies – can the diet help?

As spring and summer arrive, many owners see allergic problems become more intense. Signs worsen because the air carries a high load of pollen, mould spores and dust. Limiting contact with the allergen is the basis of management, but feeding is getting more attention too. Can a properly balanced diet genuinely support a horse when the signs are at their worst?

First shows – how to avoid stomach problems

A horse's first competitions are a big change. New surroundings, transport, noise, other horses… All of that can cause stress, and it shows not only in behaviour but also in the digestive system. Stomach trouble, colic or diarrhoea are a common result of tension in these situations, so the right feeding beforehand matters if the horse is to concentrate on competing rather than on discomfort.

Knowledge zone

Hello, my name is Anna Porożyńska and I am Grassland's equine nutrition specialist.