Winter Feeding Guide: Ensuring Optimal Nutrition for Your Horse

Winter presents unique challenges for horse owners when it comes to feeding and nutrition. As temperatures drop and pasture availability changes, it’s essential to adjust your horse's feeding routine to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients to stay healthy and thrive. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate winter feeding.

1. Increase Forage Intake

Forage should be the cornerstone of your horse's winter diet. As grazing opportunities diminish, provide plenty of high-quality hay to meet their energy needs. Aim for at least 1.5% to 2% of their body weight in hay per day to maintain body condition and keep their digestive system functioning smoothly.

Tip: Use slow feeders to encourage a steady intake and reduce waste.

2. Supplement with Vitamins and Minerals

Winter forages often lack essential vitamins and minerals. Supplementing your horse's diet with a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement ensures they receive the nutrients missing from hay-only diets. Missy's Bucket products, such as the Original Powder and Premium GUT-Plus Powder, are excellent choices to fill these nutritional gaps.

Key Supplements:

• Vitamin E and Selenium: Important for immune function and muscle health.
• Vitamin D: Helps with calcium absorption, particularly when sunlight exposure is limited.
• Magnesium and Calcium: Crucial for muscle function and overall health.

3. Monitor Body Condition and Adjust Feed

Regularly assess your horse’s body condition score (BCS) to ensure they are not losing or gaining too much weight. Adjust their feed accordingly:

• Underweight Horses: Increase forage and consider adding a high-fat, high-fibre feed to their diet.
• Overweight Horses: Limit access to high-sugar feeds and use low-calorie forages to maintain a healthy weight.

4. Provide Plenty of Fresh Water

Horses tend to drink less in cold weather, increasing the risk of dehydration and impaction colic. Ensure they have constant access to clean, unfrozen water. If necessary, using heated water buckets or water heaters can encourage better water intake.

5. Add Digestive Support

Winter can be stressful on a horse's digestive system due to dietary changes. Adding digestive aids like prebiotics and probiotics can help maintain a healthy gut flora and improve nutrient absorption. Missy's Bucket GUT-Plus Powder contains these essential components to support digestive health.

6. Consider Adding Oil for Extra Calories

If your horse needs extra calories to maintain body condition, consider adding a suitable feeding oil or a commercially available fat supplement to their diet. This is a dense energy source that can help keep them warm without the risks associated with high-grain diets.

7. Regular Dental Check-Ups

Ensure your horse’s teeth are in good condition to maximise their ability to chew and digest forage effectively. Dental problems can impede proper digestion and nutrient absorption, making regular check-ups essential.

8. Adjust Grain Intake Carefully

If you feed grain, adjust the quantity based on your horse’s activity level and body condition. Overfeeding grain can lead to colic and other digestive issues, so balance it with plenty of forage and the necessary supplements.

Winter feeding requires careful attention to ensure your horse remains healthy and well-nourished. By increasing forage intake, supplementing essential vitamins and minerals, monitoring body condition, and supporting digestive health, you can help your horse thrive through the colder months.