Ensuring your horse’s diet includes all his dietary requirements will support his health and performance, says nutritionist Joanna Palmer

For every two horse owners spending hours poring over each aspect of a feed’s formulation in meticulous detail, there’s another who nonchalantly gives the same feeds they’ve always fed because ‘why change something that works?’ But who’s right?

As with all things horse, there’s no single way to feed. So, while nutritionists recommend a tailored approach to feeding, as long as both of these owners provide everything their horse needs – no more, no less – either method is technically fine. Problems only arise when the horse isn’t getting the right balance of nutrients he needs to thrive. Let’s take a closer look.

Our expert

Joanna Palmer BSc (Hons) is a nutritionist for Allen&Page horse feeds.

Photos: Bob Atkins, Jon Stroud. With thanks to Allen & Page for their help with this feature, allenandpage.com

Identify the problem

There are many signs that your horse may not be getting the correct diet, including...

• weight gain that increases his body condition score above ideal

• weight loss that takes his body condition score below ideal

• too much energy, or becoming fizzy or excitable

• too little energy, or suffering lethargy

• developing health issues such as laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), gastric ulcers, colic or choke

• showing behavioural issues or temperament changes associated with hunger If you notice unwanted changes in your horse’s weight, energy levels, behaviour or health, it could be his feed causing the problem.