31/08/2026
Winter feeding. It's not glamorous. It's not exciting. But get it wrong and you're looking at colic, weight loss, and a very sick horse. 🐴
Here's what I want every horse owner to understand about winter nutrition:
1️⃣ FORAGE IS KING — Hay should be the foundation. In winter, pasture quality drops dramatically. Your horse needs more hay, not more grain.
2️⃣ DIGESTION = HEAT — The process of digesting fibre actually generates heat. More hay = warmer horse. It's literally an internal furnace.
3️⃣ WATER, WATER, WATER — I cannot stress this enough. Reduced water intake in winter is the #1 preventable cause of impaction colic. If your horse isn't drinking enough, try warming the water slightly.
4️⃣ BODY CONDITION MATTERS — You can't see what's happening under a rug. Get your hands on your horse weekly. Feel the ribs. Feel the topline.
5️⃣ SUPPLEMENTS AREN'T MAGIC — Before adding supplements, make sure the basics are right. Good hay, adequate water, appropriate hard feed, and a salt lick.
Your horse's nutrition this winter directly impacts their emergency risk. Well-fed, well-hydrated horses handle stress better.
