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Diets By Design

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Our Back2Basics Supplements and custom feeding plans offer horses the nutrition they deserve. I have an MSc in Animal Science specialising in Equine Nutrition.

I am an independent nutritionist unaffiliated to any feed companies. I can help you to develop a feeding plan to ensure your horse is getting a balanced diet. This allows for optimum health and performance of horses. Forages and feeds are tested and the diet balanced to requirements of all categories of horses and ponies. Dietary support for insulin resistance, Cushing's disease, laminitis etc can be given to help the recovery and health of the horse.

30/10/2026

Oat Hay – Avena sativa

Oats are an annual cereal grown as a winter crop for grain production, grazing or harvesting as oat hay. Oats prefer cooler, temperate regions where they grow well when sown in autumn or spring.

Oat hay isn't a forage I have personally used much, as it is less common in KZN, where grass hays predominate. It is, however, widely used in the drier parts of South Africa, and many horses do very well on it. I personally know oats as a winter forage crop planted after maize silage is harvested. It can be grazed over winter and into spring before it produces seed and dies back.

When grown on fertile soils with ample moisture, oats can grow into a tall, productive forage and provide a nutritious source of forage over winter in the cooler, higher-lying areas of the country. In poor soils or during dry periods, production will be restricted and nutritional content may be lower.

The importance of maturity in oat hay is well supported by forage research. As oats mature, starch and fibre increase while crude protein decreases, meaning that the stage of harvest can substantially change the nutritional profile of the forage.

From my forage analyses, I have tested samples with protein levels ranging from 3.5 – 9% CP, with moderate energy levels of around 1.8 Mcal/kg.

Oat hay is often considered a good source of calcium, but I have found some of my Western Cape samples have had an inverse Ca:P ratio, with phosphorus higher than calcium. This may be related to the naturally high phosphorus levels in some of the soils in the growing region. Other nutrient levels can also vary with soil, fertilisation and general growing conditions.

So, as always, the name of the forage doesn't tell you everything. If you want to know what nutrients your hay is actually providing, the best way is to have that particular batch analysed.

Many horses do very well on oat hay, and in some areas it may be the only hay available at a reasonable price. But there are times when I don't recommend it, particularly for metabolic horses and those needing to lose weight.

For metabolic horses, the starch and sugar levels can be too high for it to be a suitable forage. I would want to know the actual starch and sugar levels before using oat hay in a horse where these need to be carefully controlled. Where possible, I would rather use other grass hays in preference to oat hay for these horses.

For easy keepers, where grass hay options are limited, I do use oat hay. However, I may recommend replacing a portion of the oat hay with straw to reduce the overall calorie intake while still providing plenty of forage and fibre.

Oat straw is what remains after the grain has been harvested. It has a lower nutritional value than oat hay, but provides plenty of fibre, making it useful as a portion of the forage for horses that need to lose weight or have their calorie intake restricted without having to reduce their overall forage and fibre intake. You do need to make sure the diet still provides adequate nutrients especially protein and minerals when using straw.

It is very important that if you are going to use straw, it is introduced very slowly into the diet to allow your horse's digestive system time to adjust to the higher fibre levels. If introduced too quickly, it can increase the risk of digestive problems, including impaction.

🐴 And this is why I keep coming back to the same message:

Don't just ask what forage your horse is eating.

Ask what that particular batch of forage is actually providing.

🌿 Know your forage. Know what it provides. Then feed the horse in front of you.

28/10/2026

🚗 Road trip time! 🐴💍

I'm hitting the road with the family and heading down to the Cape for a wedding! I'll be out of the office for the next week, but don't worry — orders will still be processed while I'm away.

I might be swapping horse feeds for wedding cake for a few days, but business will carry on as usual! 😉

See you all when I'm back!

26/10/2026

Why Doesn’t ImmunoHoof contain Biotin?

I'm often asked whether ImmunoHoof contains biotin, and the answer is no — deliberately!

Biotin can be less stable when included in a mixed supplement, potentially losing effectiveness during storage this would reduce ImmunoHoof's shelf-life and increase costs and wastage.

I prefer to sell biotin separately so it can be added directly to the feed when needed, giving you more flexibility and helping to maintain a good, consistent dose.

But there's another important consideration when it comes to hoof health: biotin isn't the whole story!

When I formulate diets, I find that zinc and copper are deficient or out of balance with iron. These minerals are essential for normal hoof growth and quality. If the diet doesn't supply enough of them, simply adding biotin may not give you the results you're hoping for.

That's why ImmunoHoof focuses on supplying magnesium, zinc and copper, and then biotin can be added separately if necessary.

Good hoof nutrition isn't about adding one ingredient and hoping for the best — it's about getting the foundation in place and then adding what may still be missing.

23/10/2026

This week, we’re taking a slight detour from our grass profiles and diving into one of the hot topics in forages — sugar in grass.

SUGAR IN GRASS – IT’S MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU THINK

Many grasses are vilified as being “high in sugar”, when the truth is that any grass has the potential to have high sugar levels. The amount of sugar and other carbohydrates in a grass is highly dependent on the conditions in which it is grown.

Take Teff, for example. It is generally considered to be a lower-sugar forage, but research shows that even Teff can have significant changes in its carbohydrate levels depending on growing conditions.

Grass produces sugars through photosynthesis. During the day, sunlight drives photosynthesis and sugars can accumulate in the plant. Overnight, photosynthesis stops, but the plant continues to respire and uses some of its stored carbohydrates. This means sugar levels will generally be lower in the early morning and increase during the day, particularly under bright, sunny conditions.

The amount of carbohydrate in grass can be influenced by soil fertility, nitrogen availability, moisture, temperature, sunlight and the rate at which the plant is growing.

Research by Shaw (2019) on Teff found that increasing nitrogen fertilisation generally reduced water-soluble carbohydrate levels, with WSC decreasing from 5.52% where no nitrogen was applied to 4.78% at the highest nitrogen treatment. At the same time, crude protein increased from 8.86% to 12.14%. This shows that soil fertility can affect not only how much grass is produced, but also what that grass provides nutritionally.

Keep in mind that the ‘safe’ level of NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) is generally considered to be under 10% for metabolic horses. WSC (water-soluble carbohydrates) is another measure of the sugar content of grass.

Another study looked at Teff grown under sunny, cool conditions and then subjected to drought stress. During the 8 days between sampling, the plants received no irrigation or rainfall, and the soil had completely dried out, resulting in severe drought stress.

The result was quite dramatic: NSC increased from 15.5% to 22.5% of dry matter — a 45% increase in just 8 days. Both water-soluble carbohydrates and starch increased significantly.

So even a grass that is generally considered to be “low sugar” can have high sugar and starch levels.

🐴 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR HORSE?

If you have a metabolic horse where sugar and NSC intake needs to be carefully managed, knowing the species of grass is only part of the picture. Growing conditions, stage of growth, soil fertility, weather and even the time of day can all influence what that grass is providing.

When horses are grazing, we can make use of the natural daily cycle to try to reduce sugar intake. Let them graze in the early morning when carbohydrate content can be lower and keep them off grass after 9-10 am when sugar levels start to rise. Shaded grass may also behave differently from grass growing in full sun and should have lower sugar levels under the same growing conditions.

Please remember these are useful principles rather than guarantees, though! The actual carbohydrate level will depend on the grass and the conditions in which it is growing.

🌿 THE BOTTOM LINE

A grass shouldn't necessarily be labelled “high sugar” or “low sugar” based on species alone.

The growing conditions matter too.

References:
Shaw, N. (2019) – Growing and harvesting factors affecting the carbohydrate profile of teff grass (Eragrostis tef) for horses. Washington State University

Watts, K. (2008). Is Teff grass hay always low in NSC? Rocky Mountain Research & Consulting, Inc.

21/10/2026

Over the years, I've learnt to recognise the visual signs of nutrient deficiencies in horses.

But some of the most significant deficiencies I uncover when formulating diets have no obvious outward signs — which is why looking beyond appearances and assessing the whole diet is so important.

19/10/2026

MYCOTOXINS – COULD THEY BE PART OF THE PROBLEM?

Rocky is our canary in the coal mine! When these scabs start appearing, it is usually my first indication that mycotoxin levels are increasing on our grazing and that I need to increase his mycotoxin binder.

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by moulds and fungi, and horses can be exposed to them through pasture, hay and feed. The effects aren't always obvious, but some of the things I have seen improve when a mycotoxin binder is added include mud fever, scabs on the legs and faces, sun sensitivity on white/pink areas and, in some cases, sudden changes in behaviour.

Of course, these problems can have different causes, but when I see them — particularly when they appear suddenly — mycotoxin exposure is something I address first to as you see changes in the symptoms within a few days when the right binder is used.

I work with specific binders that I have tested over the years that have shown their effectiveness for the pasture based mycotoxins. Speak to us about the options to help your horse.

16/10/2026

Lucerne / Alfalfa – Medicago sativa

Lucerne is one of the most widely used high-quality forages for horses and is probably one of the most loved — and sometimes debated — forages we feed.

Lucerne originated in the Mediterranean and surrounding regions and is now grown throughout much of the world. It prefers warmer climates with adequate moisture and does particularly well where there is good rainfall or irrigation. It is mainly produced as hay, but can also be grazed successfully when managed correctly.

I haven't used a huge amount of lucerne over the years, mainly because I am based in the KZN Midlands, where good-quality lucerne can be difficult to source and is often expensive. However, we have recently planted some lucerne, which my horses are currently grazing — and they are absolutely loving it!

So, while lucerne hasn't been one of the forages I've used most extensively in my own horses' diets, I have spent a lot of time working with it in custom diets. And there are some important things to consider when deciding how much lucerne to include in a horse's diet.

Lucerne is generally considered to be a high-protein forage, with protein often around 18–20%. However, my forage analyses have shown quite a range, with some lucerne samples testing as low as 14% crude protein. The energy level is also relatively high, averaging around 2.3 Mcal/kg.

One of lucerne's biggest nutritional advantages is its calcium content. It is naturally high in calcium, and the calcium is considered to be highly bioavailable.

But there is a catch…

Because lucerne is so high in calcium, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of the overall diet needs to be considered. If lucerne makes up a large proportion of the diet, additional phosphorus may be needed to balance the ratio correctly.

For most horses, I prefer not to feed more than around 2–3 kg of lucerne per day. Once you start feeding larger amounts, balancing the calcium and phosphorus in the overall diet becomes more difficult. And if lucerne is being used as the horse's only forage, the high protein and calcium intake may be more than the horse actually needs.

This doesn't mean lucerne is a bad forage — quite the opposite.

It is a very nutrient-dense forage. The important thing is matching the amount to the horse's requirements and balancing the rest of the diet around it.

Lucerne is available as hay, chaff and in pelleted forms. Nutritionally, these can be very similar if they are made from lucerne alone. The differences come in when other ingredients are added to chaff or pellets, so it is always worth checking exactly what you are buying rather than assuming that every lucerne product is nutritionally identical.

One of my biggest concerns with lucerne is actually the quality of the product you are buying. I have found that lucerne can sometimes be quite mouldy, and I have also come across lucerne hay containing thorns, which our horses struggled with.

Although many horses absolutely love lucerne, I do find that some horses simply don't tolerate it particularly well. I find they can become quite "hot" when lucerne is included in their diet, and we then use grass hays rather than lucerne for these horses.

One of the ways I particularly like using lucerne is as a chaff or pellet for older horses, and hay for those needing a pick-me-up or horses working hard that need a more nutrient-dense source of energy and protein. It can be a useful way of adding good-quality protein and calories without having add more concentrate.

But there is something I always look at when buying lucerne chaff — the quality and physical structure of the stems. I prefer using it as hay but if you have to use chaff make sure the stems are soft and flexible rather than hard or sharp.

There is some interesting research around this. Studies in both weanlings and adult horses have found that feeding lucerne chaff with harsher, longer particles was associated with increased gastric mucosal lesions. In the adult horse study, lesions developed while the horses were being fed lucerne chaff, but these appeared to resolve after the chaff was removed from the diet.

This doesn't mean that lucerne chaff causes ulcers in every horse, or that we should avoid feeding it. But it does make me more cautious about the physical quality of the chaff I recommend. My rule of thumb is to squeeze a handful of chaff – if it pricks and hurts your hand there’s a good chance your horse may be reluctant to chew it thoroughly and stems could be an issue in the stomach.

The bottom line

Lucerne is a valuable forage and, for many horses, an excellent one. It provides good levels of energy and protein, is naturally high in calcium, and is highly palatable — which explains why so many horses and their owners love it!

And, as always, the quality of the actual forage matters.

Don't just ask:

"What forage is my horse eating?"

Ask:

"What is this particular forage actually providing?"

Know your forage. Know what it provides. Then feed the horse in front of you.

14/10/2026

Hoof trimming is what first got me interested in nutrition, and over the years I've worked with many trimmers to help improve hoof health.

There are many factors involved in growing a healthy hoof, but nutrition and regular, appropriate trimming are two of the most important factors we have control over.

Experience has taught me getting both right can make a significant difference to overall hoof health.

Healthy hooves start from the inside out!

12/10/2026

🌿 DOES YOUR HORSE STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN CONDITION?

Sometimes the problem isn't how much your horse is eating — it's how well they are using what they are eating.

Stress, poor-quality forage and an unbalanced diet can all affect the health and function of the digestive system. Over time, this can contribute to poor utilisation of nutrients and difficulty maintaining weight and condition.

🐴 If you know your horse is receiving enough good-quality forage and a well-balanced diet, but they are still struggling to maintain condition, it may be time to look beyond simply adding more feed.

But before blaming the gut, there are a few basics that need to be checked:

🦷 Have the teeth been checked recently?

🪱 Is your deworming program up to date?

And remember — a f***l egg count does not detect every type of worm, so a “negative” result doesn't necessarily mean your horse is completely free of parasites.

Once these basics have been addressed, it's time to start asking whether the gut is actually functioning as well as it should.

Are the nutrients in the diet being properly digested and utilised?

Could the hindgut microbiome be out of balance?

Is the gut lining healthy?

Could the liver also need support?

This is where I believe there is no “one size fits all” answer.

🌿 Not every gut problem is the same — so why treat them all the same way?

Sometimes your horse may simply need a little microbiome support to help restore balance.

Other times, there may be more going on, and support for the gut lining, microbiome and liver may all need to be considered.

This is why Back 2 Basics has developed a range of custom gut-support options rather than taking a one-product-fits-all approach.

If your horse is eating enough but still isn't maintaining condition, let's look at the whole picture and work out what may be going wrong.

🐴 Your horse may not need more feed.

They may need to be better able to use the feed they're already getting.

Speak to us about your horse and we can help you decide on a supplement may be appropriate for their particular needs. 🌿

09/10/2026

Eragrostis curvula – Weeping Love Grass

Eragrostis is probably one of the hays I know best. It is the hay I grew up with — we produce it on the farm and feed it to our own horses through winter. So, this is one forage I have plenty of practical experience with, as well as experience looking at its nutritional value through forage analysis.

Eragrostis curvula, commonly known as Weeping Love Grass or Oulandsgras, is a perennial, tufted grass and an important hay grass in South Africa. It can provide grazing when managed correctly, but it is generally better suited to hay production. If it is grazed, it needs to be carefully managed and should not be grazed too short.

Eragrostis responds well to appropriate fertilisation, which can significantly increase production. Under good growing conditions, it can be cut 2–3 times a year.
Production and nutritional value will, however, depend on rainfall, soil fertility, fertilisation, growing conditions and, importantly, the stage at which it is harvested.

Eragrostis is a more fibrous forage than Teff, with more lignin and less digestible fibre. As the plant matures, fibre increases while protein, energy and digestibility decrease. This means that the maturity of the hay at harvest can make a significant difference to its nutritional value.

From my analyses, I find Eragrostis generally provides around 4–7% crude protein, although individual batches can vary. Very young, well-fertilised hays can reach 12–14% protein, although these are very rare.

Eragrostis provides around 1.8 Mcal/kg of energy. Calcium generally falls around 0.15–0.24%, while phosphorus is around 0.12–0.17%.

Mineral levels can vary depending on the soil, fertilisation and growing conditions. In my experience, Eragrostis generally provides more minerals than some veld and Red Grass hays, but tends to be lower in mineral content than Teff.

SO WHO IS ERAGROSTIS GOOD FOR?

This is where I really like Eragrostis - Because it is a more fibrous forage with a lower energy density, it can be a very useful forage for easy keepers and horses needing to lose weight. For horses with higher energy or protein requirements, however, Eragrostis may not provide enough on its own — particularly when the hay is mature.

And this is where my own experience with Eragrostis becomes important. I have found that horses eating Eragrostis often need additional protein and essential amino acids, followed by careful balancing of the rest of the minerals.

But - and this is important - not every horse eating Eragrostis needs exactly the same supplementation. The quality, maturity and amount of hay the horse eats will determine what the rest of the diet needs to provide.

WHAT ABOUT GRAZING?

Although Eragrostis can be grazed, it needs careful management. It is a tufted grass and can be damaged by overgrazing or grazing too short for prolonged periods. Good grazing management is important to maintain the stand and allow the grass to recover.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Eragrostis can be an excellent forage when matched to the right horse and fed with the right feeds and appropriate supplementation.

Its higher fibre content and lower energy density can make it particularly useful for easy keepers and horses in lighter work. Horses with higher nutritional requirements may, however, need additional energy, protein, amino acids and minerals to balance what the hay provides.

As always, don't just ask:

“What hay is my horse eating?”

Ask:

“What is this particular batch of hay actually providing?”

Know your forage. Know what it provides. Then feed the horse in front of you.

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