8 Golden Rules for Feeding Your Horse

Proper feeding is critical to your horse’s overall health, performance and wellbeing.

By following a set of proven guidelines and understanding your horse’s natural needs, you can create a balanced, safe and efficient feeding routine.

This guide combines expert recommendations and practical tips to help you optimize your horse’s diet.

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1. Water: The Most Critical Nutrient

Water is indispensable for every bodily function. Ensuring your horse has access to clean, fresh water is the first step in any feeding program.

• Daily Requirements
  Horses typically drink 18–25 litres of water daily, increasing to 30–40 litres or more during hot weather or periods of intense work. In New Zealand’s variable climate, water intake may increase significantly during warm, humid summer days. 

• Quality & Accessibility

• Check water sources at least twice a day for cleanliness and proper function.

• In large paddocks, provide multiple water points to reduce competition.

• Seasonal Adjustments

• In winter in colder parts of NZ, some people prevent water from freezing by using heated buckets or water heaters.

• In summer, consider offering chilled water or adding ice to encourage drinking.

• Monitoring
  A noticeable decrease in water intake may signal health issues—monitor and address promptly. 

2. Establish and Maintain Feeding Routines

Horses are creatures of habit and thrive on consistency.

• Fixed Schedule

• Feed your horse at the same time each day to create a predictable routine.

• If constant access to forage isn’t available, schedule meals consistently to support digestive health.

• Meal Spacing
  Divide daily rations into two to four smaller meals to mimic natural grazing habits and reduce stress on the digestive system.

• Technology & Caregiver Consistency

• Consider automatic feeders to maintain consistent timing.

• Ensure all caregivers follow the same feeding schedule and order, especially when managing multiple horses.

3. Prioritize Forage

Forage is the cornerstone of your horse’s diet, providing essential fibre for digestion, energy and nutrient absorption.

• Natural Grazing Behavior
  In the wild, horses graze for up to 18 hours a day. Aim to provide constant access to good-quality forage - hay or pasture - so that at least 50% of the diet is roughage.

• Daily Forage Intake
  Ensure your horse consumes at least 1.5 to 2% of its body weight in forage daily. For example, a 500kg horse should have roughly 7.5 to 10kg of hay or equivalent pasture each day.

• Quality & Delivery

• Regularly inspect forage for mould, dust or contaminants.

• Use slow feeders or hay nets to extend eating time and simulate natural grazing.

• Tailored Forage
   Choose forage types that meet your horse’s specific needs (eg; lower sugar hay for easy keepers - Learn More Here).

Many New Zealand pastures, especially those dominated by ryegrass and clover, are naturally high in sugars - particularly water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). For horses prone to laminitis, insulin resistance, or excessive weight gain, transitioning to a low-sugar hay and using a ration balancer can help maintain healthy metabolism without compromising essential nutrition.

Winter often brings poor pasture growth, making high-quality hay or supplemented feeds critical. In dry East Coast regions, drought-prone summers can also reduce pasture nutrition.

4. Maintain Strict Feeding Hygiene

Clean feeding practices help prevent disease and maintain your horse’s appetite.

• Cleanliness

• Wash feed containers, buckets and water troughs daily with soap and water.

• Remove any mouldy or spoiled feed immediately.

• Proper Storage & Equipment

• Store feed in dry, rodent-proof, moisture-tight containers.

• Regularly clean hay racks, mangers and feeding equipment.

• Use separate equipment when administering medicated feeds to prevent cross-contamination.

• Remember: A smelly or dirty bucket can deter a horse from eating.

5. Make Feed Changes Gradually

Abrupt changes in feed can disrupt your horse’s digestive system and lead to issues such as colic or loose droppings.

• Transition Period

• Allow 10 to 14 days for any feed or forage changes.

• Gradually mix increasing amounts of the new feed with the old.

• Digestive Adaptation
  The specialized microbes in your horse’s hindgut need time to adjust. Slow transitions help prevent digestive upsets.

• Monitoring

• Keep a log of feed changes and monitor your horse’s droppings and behavior for signs of distress.

• When introducing fresh pasture or a new hay batch, limit initial grazing time.

All Fiskens feeds are clearly labelled with feeding recommendations and ingredients and designed for smooth transitions between life stages and workloads. 

6. Calculate Feed Based on Science

Precision is key when determining your horse’s nutritional needs.

• Weighing & Measuring

• Regularly weigh your horse using a weight tape or scale.

• Measure feed by weight rather than volume, as scoop sizes and feed densities can vary by up to 50%.

• Consider Key Factors

• Body Weight & Condition: Adjust quantities based on regular body condition scoring - see BCS info below 

• Workload: Increase feed for horses with high energy demands or intense work schedules.

• Age & Health: Young, growing horses and seniors have unique nutritional requirements.

• Environmental Factors: Adjust feeding for weather changes and pasture quality.

Fisken feeds are formulated with balanced protein, energy and trace minerals — no unnecessary fillers — so you get more nutrition per kg and per $.

7. Divide Daily Rations Appropriately

Breaking up feed into smaller meals will optimise digestion and energy levels.

• Meal Size & Frequency

• Limit concentrate feeds to no more than 2kg per meal.

• Divide the daily ration into two to four meals to accommodate a horse’s small stomach (only about 10% of its digestive capacity, roughly 9–15 litres).

• Meal Timing Examples

• Two Meals Daily: 40% in the morning, 60% in the evening.

• Three Meals Daily: 30% morning, 30% afternoon, 40% evening.

• Four Meals Daily: 25% morning, 25% midday, 20% afternoon, 30% evening.

• Evening Feeding
  Consider making the largest meal in the evening to support overnight digestion and energy needs.

8. Coordinate Feeding and Exercise

The timing of feed relative to exercise is essential for performance and comfort.

• Pre-Exercise Feeding

• Provide a small amount of hay 30 to 60 minutes before exercise to help buffer stomach acid.

• Avoid heavy concentrates immediately before work to prevent discomfort.

• Post-Exercise Considerations

• Allow at least 1 to 2 hours after feeding before engaging in strenuous exercise.

• If your horse has exerted itself, wait at least an hour after exercise before feeding to allow proper digestion.

• Electrolyte Support
  For horses involved in heavy work, consider electrolyte supplementation and adjust feeding schedules on competition days. See some of our popular electrolytes here 

Additional Considerations

• Seasonal Adjustments
  Nutritional needs vary with the seasons. In winter, horses may require more energy, while in summer, hydration and electrolyte balance become critical. See some of our popular electrolytes here 

• Supplementation
  Depending on age, workload and health, your horse might benefit from additional vitamins and minerals. Always introduce supplements gradually and consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian. View supplements here 

• Record Keeping
  Maintain detailed feeding logs that track types of feed, feeding times and any changes. This helps in identifying trends or potential issues over time.

• Monitoring Health
  Regularly assess your horse’s body condition, weight, coat quality and behavior. Changes may indicate a need to adjust the feeding program.

• Professional Guidance
  Regular consultations with veterinarians or equine nutrition experts ensure that your feeding strategy remains optimal for your horse’s individual needs.

Conclusion

Feeding your horse well doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

With the right foundation - clean water, quality forage, consistent routines and nutrient-balanced feeds - you can support your horse’s health, performance and wellbeing at every stage of life.

Each horse is unique - tailor these guidelines to fit individual needs and consult professionals when in doubt.

This guide integrates time-tested principles with modern best practices, ensuring your horse enjoys a balanced diet that supports its overall wellbeing.

HR Fisken and Sons - Premium quality horse feed at unbeatable prices since 1957. 

HR Fisken and Sons as we know it today was established in 1957 but our history with performance horses goes back over 100 years. 

Looking for the right feed for your horse? Explore our most trusted feeds, crafted in New Zealand for real-world results:

Fiskens Nutritional Science

Fiskens feeds are formulated in collaboration with qualified equine nutritionists for optimal performance and balance. With over 60 years of expertise in equine nutrition, Fiskens is a trusted leader in developing scientifically-backed feed solutions that support horse health and performance across all disciplines.