Horse Feeding Science and Welfare

Evidence-based approaches to horse feeding that align with equine digestive physiology and support long-term welfare.

Key Facts

Horses evolved as continuous grazers consuming small amounts of high-fiber forage for 14-18 hours per day
The equine stomach produces acid continuously rather than only in response to food, making empty stomachs painful
Twice-daily concentrate feeding creates 10-12 hour periods of gastric acid without forage buffering
High grain diets that ferment rapidly in the hindgut are a primary cause of colic, hindgut acidosis, and laminitis
Hay should comprise the majority of caloric intake for most horses and ponies, with grain reserved for working horses
Slow feeders that extend hay consumption time can reduce gastric ulcer risk and stereotypic behavior

Welfare Considerations

Horse feeding practices are a foundational welfare issue because so many management systems deviate fundamentally from equine digestive physiology. The domestic horse that receives two grain meals per day separated by 12 hours of empty hay nets is a horse experiencing extended periods of gastric acid exposure without forage buffering — a common but preventable source of chronic discomfort. Gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis, hindgut acidosis, and stereotypic behaviors including crib-biting and windsucking are all associated with feeding practices that contradict equine digestive design. Welfare-optimal feeding provides near-continuous access to appropriate forage, calibrates concentrate feeding to actual work demands, introduces any dietary changes gradually, and ensures clean water is always available. These principles require minimal additional expense but significant revision of traditional management habits.

What You Can Do

Provide access to good-quality forage for as many hours of the day as possible as the foundation of your feeding program
Use slow feeders to extend hay consumption time and reduce periods of gastric acid exposure without forage
Reduce grain feeding to what actual workload requires — most pleasure horses need little or none
Make all feed changes gradually over a minimum of 7-14 days to allow hindgut adaptation
Ensure fresh clean water is available at all times, not just at feeding
Discuss body condition scoring and weight management with your veterinarian to calibrate feeding appropriately