November 2009

Equine Winter Diets
13th November 2009

Fundamently horses are non-ruminant herbivores with continual microbial fermentation within the caecum and colon.  However, in modern times the way we keep horses has changed drastically.  For convenience we stable our horses during the winter, often for long periods of time and due to work and other commitments the number of times that we can feed a long with being able to turn your horse out is restricted.  It is important that an adequate amount of fibre is fed during these winter months.  High fibre diets are a way of helping to maintain a healthy microbial population in your horse's hindgut, therefore reducing the likelihood of digestive disturbances.  To provide the working horse wiht sufficient energy the majority of equine diets have added cereals, cereals by products and oil. 

The stomach of an adult horse is quite small, about the size of a rugby ball.  There is very little actual digestion that occurs in the stomach, most digestion occurs is the small and large intestine.  The large intestine or hindgut operates as a fermentation vat.  Natural bacteria and micro organisms break down fibre, therefore a change to the environment has an effect on the number of micro organisms present therefore reducing the efficiency of digestion, and stopping your horse form obtaining the maximum nutrition from his feed.  To obtain optimal hind gut health the fibre intake should be maximised and the intake of sugar and starch minimised.  The hind gut environment can be affected by a number of other factors, including antibiotic, stress etc.  There are a variety of fibre feeds available on the market, sugar beet can be a useful addition to the working horse as it is a "super fibre" and is highly digestable.

In conclusion it is desirable to base your horse's diet around fibre, with the addition of a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement, only adding cereal based feeds when your horses requirements can no longer be met with fibre alone.

For a wide selection of equestrian mineral, supplements and equine feeds please visit our Equestrian page or alternatively contact our equine sales team for advice.