Feeding Supplements Part II
Where to Begin
If you are an avid rider with a consistent exercise and training schedule, becoming well-versed in grains and supplements can be well worth it. Alongside a sound riding and horsemanship foundation, nutrition, more often than not, plays a crucial role in supporting your horse while evolving into his or her best form.
When assessing the nutritional support your horse is receiving, we can aid in the maintenance and root issues of the following:
changes in temperament or training concerns
maintaining soundness and conditioning
increased exercise or job demands
As is most topics regarding horses, opinions from all sorts of “experts" are ripe for the picking and the equine diet is no exception.
My goal for you is to find some ease and insight in developing a supplement program (if necessary) that fits your budget, schedule and, most importantly, meets your horse's nutritional demands.
When deciding what additives are right for your horse and activity level, the easiest place to begin is to target the basic daily nutritional needs of your horse.
How to establish a baseline - Types of products to consider when starting or adjusting your horse’s ration
Ration Balancers - A concentrated feed supplement - usually in pellet form - designed to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein without adding many calories or large amounts of grain.
Ration balancers are often suitable for:
easy keepers and horses that have a tough time keeping the weight off
when budget conscious options are a factor while still meeting basic nutrition
horses that are not exercising consistently but still require the basic nutritional support
Complete Feeds -These pelleted feeds are typically composed of a grain-based formulation supplemented with essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. They are designed to provide increased caloric and protein levels through carefully balanced grain combinations. They are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional demands of horses at various life stages and training levels, including broodmares, growing horses, and performance or competition horses.
Fibre/Protein Additives & Whole Grains
Fibre and protein additives, along with whole grains such as beet pulp and soy hulls supporting digestive health while providing a safe, highly digestible source of energy.
Additional protein sources, include:
alfalfa,
canola meal,
linseed (flaxseed) meal,
rice bran, and
sunflower meal,
These contribute essential amino acids that support muscle development, tissue repair, and overall performance. Together, these ingredients promote steady energy release, improved feed efficiency, and optimal gut function without excessive starch intake. When balanced appropriately, fibre and protein additives help maintain body condition, support endurance, and enhance nutrient utilization in performance, growing, and senior horses.
PRO TIP: Feed manufacturers often design their ration balancers to be used in conjunction with complete feeds. Adjustments between the amount of complete feed and ration balancer should be made according to the horse’s current workload and exercise intensity.
Do your research - Who to Ask or Consult?
Your vet is a great place to start, however reaching out to experienced horse owners that are local to your area, as well as those with horses in similar jobs types and breeds as yours, can be quite informative. In turn, consulting with an avid trail rider while you're actively involved in barrel racing, may not give you the insight as very different nutritional requirements are required for both.
An Under-used Resource - talk to a feed rep in your area! A company such as Purina, has products available at most feed stores and the store front will often carry the contact info for feed reps for the products they sell. They are well versed in their nutrition knowledge and how that correlates with the company’s line of products. This is a great place to start narrowing down the options and connect directly with the experts in how their feeds work!
Stay tuned for part III and explore all the extras and what is best suited for your horse’s job!
Happy Riding
Michaela