By Dr Jennifer Stewart, BVSc BSc PhD Equine Veterinarian and Consultant Nutritionist
Modern horse care often feels reactive, addressing problems such as ulcers, laminitis, poor hoof quality, muscle issues, or behavioural changes after they appear. Yet many of these conditions are closely linked to nutrition and, in many cases, can be reduced or prevented by following a few simple feeding principles. Equine nutrition does not need to be complicated; it needs to be consistent, evidence‑based, and aligned with how horses are designed to eat.
Forage as the Foundation
Horses are grazing animals, and their digestive systems are built fornear‑constant intake of fibre. Adequate forage intake supports gut health, helps regulate behaviour, and plays a critical role in ulcer prevention. Chewing forage stimulates saliva production, which naturally buffers the large volumes of acid produced in the horse’s stomach each day. Long gaps without forage increase ulcer risk, regardless of workload or age.
Keep Starch and Sugar Low
High‑starch and high‑sugar feeds can overwhelm the horse’s digestive and metabolic systems. Rapid digestion of these carbohydrates leads to spikes in blood glucose and insulin, increasing the risk of conditions such as laminitis, tying‑up, colic, and gut upset. Feeding programs that prioritise fibre and limit starch and sugar support more stable energy levels and reduce metabolic stress.
Protein Quality Matters More Than Quantity
Protein is essential for muscle development, tissue repair, growth, and overall health, but more is not always better. What matters most is protein quality, particularly the presence of essential amino acids. Diets that supply adequate amounts of key amino acids support topline, growth, and recovery far more effectively than simply increasing crude protein levels.
The Role of Fats, Vitamins, and Micronutrients
Including oil in the diet provides a slow‑release energy source and supports overall health without causing glucose spikes. Certain micronutrients also play key roles:
These nutrients work best as part of a well‑balanced diet, not in isolation.
Use Supplements With Care
Supplements can be beneficial when used appropriately, but unnecessary or overlapping products may create nutrient imbalances or sub‑clinical issues. More is not always better, and feeding decisions should be guided by need rather than marketing claims. Simpler diets, built on sound nutritional foundations, often deliver better long‑term results.
The Take‑Home Message
Good equine nutrition does not rely on trends or complex feeding systems. By prioritising forage, keeping starch and sugar low, choosing quality protein sources, and being thoughtful with supplements, horse owners can support healthier digestion, stronger hooves, better performance, and improved wellbeing. Sometimes, the simplest rules really do make the biggest difference.
Jenquine all‑4‑feet®
For horses fed primarily on pasture or roughage, a well‑formulated balancer can help address the mineral and protein shortfalls commonly found in hays and pastures. This becomes especially important when hay is soaked, as soaking increases mineral losses. Jenquine all‑4‑feet® is designed as a pasture and roughage balancer, providing high‑quality protein enriched with free‑form amino acids, along with a high Vitamin E content. It contains no grains or grain by‑products and is low in starch and sugar, making it suitable for horses with, or at risk of, stomach ulcers, insulin resistance (IR), laminitis, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). When fed at the recommended rates, additional supplementation is not required unless advised by a veterinarian.