Natural horse feeding is based on the evolutionary needs of horses, which have developed over thousands of years. In the wild, horses are designed as continuous feeders, spending most of their day consuming fiber-rich foods like grass and "hay" (in this context, more like steppe grass). This type of diet keeps their digestive system active and provides them with the necessary nutrients for their health. Understanding the basics of natural feeding is essential to optimally support your horse's health and well-being.
What does natural horse feeding mean?
Fiber-Rich Diet
Horses need a constant intake of fiber-rich foods such as grass and hay to keep their digestive tract moving and maintain a healthy gut flora. However, pasture grass should not be lush, high in sugar, or protein-rich, but rather low in sugar and fiber-rich to avoid metabolic problems and digestive disorders.
Small, Frequent Meals
In their natural environment, horses consume small amounts of food throughout the day. To mimic this, horses should be given small portions of forage multiple times a day, ideally with no more than 4 hours between meals. In stabled horses, a sufficiently large portion of forage should be provided for the night. This promotes digestive health and helps prevent issues such as gastric ulcers or colic.
Water Buffet
In addition to food, horses need constant access to fresh and clean water. A water buffet, offering various water sources such as salt water or tea, can help meet your horse's fluid and electrolyte needs optimally.
Herbs and Natural Supplements
In addition to their basic diet of hay and grass, horses in the wild consume a variety of herbs, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, and fruits, as well as soil. These provide valuable nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that strengthen the immune system, support digestion, and promote overall well-being.
What is NOT natural feeding?
Now that we understand what natural feeding is, we should also recognize what it is not. Modern feeding practices often deviate significantly from the horse's natural diet and can lead to health issues over time.
Commercial Feeds with Synthetic Additives
Many commercial feeds contain artificial vitamins, minerals, preservatives, and other synthetic substances. While these may improve the taste and shelf life of the feed, they do not align with the natural needs of horses and can burden their delicate digestive system. This is comparable to a human diet consisting entirely of fast food—satisfying in the short term but harmful in the long run.
Excessive Starch
Overfeeding grains (corn, barley, oats, etc.) or starchy feed can lead to digestive disorders, metabolic diseases such as EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), and behavioral problems. While oats are a natural grain and beneficial in moderation, especially for performance horses, excessive grain intake (e.g., more than 1.5 kg per 100 kg body weight of oats) disrupts the horse’s natural digestive processes.
Many horse owners today often overestimate the work their horses are doing. A horse that isn’t working at an intense level or training for high-performance disciplines typically does not need concentrated feed. For most horses, the energy they get from forage is sufficient to sustain their workload, even if that includes activities like trail riding for two hours several times a week or 30 minutes of flatwork with a few small jumps. Concentrated feed should only be considered for horses with significantly higher energy demands, such as those in intensive training or competition.
Silage and Haylage
These fermented feeds, commonly used in modern horse feeding, are unsuitable for horses. They can cause digestive problems like colic and negatively impact the delicate balance of gut flora. Horses should instead receive high-quality hay, straw, or teff.
Long Feeding Gaps
One of the most unnatural practices is leaving horses without food for extended periods. Horses are biologically designed to graze continuously, and long feeding gaps can lead to stress, gastric ulcers, and other health problems. To maintain digestive health, it’s essential that horses have access to forage throughout the day.
The Issues with Additives in Commercial Feed
In addition to altering the natural diet, many commercial feeds contain problematic ingredients that can negatively affect a horse’s health. These additives are used to enhance the flavor, appearance, and shelf life of the feed but often at the expense of the horse's well-being.
Artificial Flavors and Sweeteners: These make the feed tastier but can cause allergies and digestive issues.
Preservatives: Chemical preservatives are added to extend the feed's shelf life but may interfere with natural digestion.
Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins and Minerals: Most feed is supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, they are often in a form with lower bioavailability and in insufficient quantities, meaning that the horse must consume a large amount to obtain all the minerals. Healthy horses on a balanced diet do not require additional vitamins. Otherwise, we quickly encounter issues with over-vitaminization.
Fillers and Binders: These ingredients bulk up the feed but offer little nutritional value and can contribute to digestive problems.
Why switch to natural feeding?
Horses fed according to their natural needs show significantly better health, more natural energy, and vitality. They are more resistant to diseases, less prone to diet-related issues like colic or metabolic disorders, and typically have shinier coats, healthier hooves, and a more balanced temperament.
Moreover, a natural diet strengthens the immune system and enhances the absorption of essential nutrients that support overall vitality and performance. Many modern diseases seen in horses today, such as EMS, laminitis, and allergies, can often be traced back to unnatural feeding practices and living conditions. By switching to a natural feeding approach in time, you can prevent these conditions and offer your horse a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Summary of Natural Feeding Principles
Fiber-Rich Diet: Focus on low-sugar, high-fiber grass, hay, and straw to keep the digestive system healthy.
Herbs and Supplements: Incorporate natural ingredients like herbs, leaves, and roots to provide essential nutrients.
Small, Frequent Meals: Feed several small portions of forage per day, with no more than 4 hours between meals.
Fresh Water: Ensure your horse always has access to fresh and clean water, and consider setting up a water buffet.
Avoid Synthetic Additives: Steer clear of feeds with artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and synthetic vitamins or minerals.
Limit Grains and Fermented Feeds: Reduce grains and avoid silage or haylage to prevent digestive and metabolic problems.
By transitioning to a natural feeding approach, you align with your horse’s evolutionary needs, ensuring it receives the nutrients it truly requires to thrive. Natural feeding supports not only physical health but also contributes to a longer, more vibrant life.
To explore a range of natural feeds and herbal mixtures that support these natural feeding principles, visit our Herbitality collection and find products specifically designed to promote your horse's health and well-being.
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