As December rolls around and old man winter settles in, feeding our horses takes on a whole new level of importance. In November’s issue, we discussed winterizing your workouts and now we will talk about adapting your horse’s diet as well. Winter feeding has many unique requirements, especially in colder climates with consistent subzero temperatures and where pasture access dwindles. With lush green pastures Just as we enjoy turning up our thermostat or gathering around the fireplace to keep warm, your horse relies on a fire within to avoid Jack Frost nipping at their nose. To help visualize the importance of each dietary component, let’s explain them and how they work together, just like a crackling fire. In this article, we will explore the magic behind crafting an internal fire for your horse to keep warm, well-nourished, and happily fuelled for the holiday season. Let’s delve into each component that makes a fire burn: The Base, Flint, Accelerant and Fuel.
Just as we enjoy turning up our thermostat or gathering around the fireplace to keep warm, your horse relies on a fire within to avoid Jack Frost nipping at their nose. To help visualize the importance of each dietary component, let’s explain them and how they work together, just like a crackling fire. In this article, we will explore the magic behind crafting an internal fire for your horse to keep warm, well-nourished, and happily fuelled for the holiday season. Let’s delve into each component that makes a fire burn: The Base, Flint, Accelerant and Fuel.
Forage
The Base and Heart of the Fire
Every good fire begins with a strong base, and for your horse’s diet, that foundation is forage. Quality forage is crucial during any season; however, it becomes more important and more scarce during winter. Since pastures are usually covered in snow and grass lies dormant, hay quite often becomes the primary forage source. Forage provides essential nutrients, and it ferments in your horse’s hindgut, generating heat—natural insulation to combat the cold winter air. The heat produced by fermentation helps to maintain the body temperature when the weather gets harsh. Timothy, burmagrass, and/or mixed grass hays are all great forage options. Free access feeding throughout the day also mimics the horse’s natural grazing patterns and keeps their gut health in check. Think of forage as the “kindling” in your horse’s inner fire, setting them up for a successful flame to spark. It is a steady, reliable source to get winter warmth started.
Fibre
The Flint to Ignite Warmth
Without a flint to get a spark going, it doesn’t matter how strong your fire’s base is, and the same goes for your horse’s digestive diet. Fibre is essential as it helps keep the horse’s gut healthy, aids in digestion, and provides bulk that encourages steady movement of food, which in turn promotes gut motility. As fibre is broken down in the hindgut by microbes, it produces volatile fatty acids, which serve as an important energy source for the horse and support a balanced gut environment, providing more coal for the horse’s internal furnace. A great addition to your winter feeding regime is beet pulp. Beet pulp is worth considering due to it being very fibre-rich and highly digestible while also typically being lower in starch and sugar (which is good for horses with PPID and EMS when molasses isn’t added, so check your bag). Often referred to as “fast fibre,” it quickly gets the flame started once it ferments in the hindgut. Beet pulp is also extremely versatile, making it easy to integrate into most horses’ diets, ranging from performance athletes to seniors with dental problems. Soak it in warm water, and it doubles as a cozy soup-like mash on a chilly day, warming them from the inside out. Think of fibre as the “initial spark” to your horse’s dietary fire, creating warmth that lasts throughout those long, cold days.
Protein
The Accelerant to Boost
Once the forage and fibre are working together to create warmth, protein is the accelerant that helps the “fire” grow stronger. Protein is crucial in maintaining muscle mass and body condition, especially for horses working through the winter or for those who may need a little extra help holding weight. In addition, protein-rich feeds help your horse generate and maintain body heat more effectively. So, don’t be shy about adding protein to their holiday menu. It’s the perfect ingredient to keep their “fire” burning bright and strong. Protein supports muscle health, which is essential for warmth and physical resilience during the winter. It doesn’t just build muscle; it also provides energy, helping to keep your horse’s digestive fire stoked. Alfalfa cubes or pellets are excellent sources of protein that will complement your horse’s forage base; it is forage-forward, packed with a nutritional punch, and easy to store. It’s particularly beneficial for young and working horses who burn extra calories. A little alfalfa can give that extra “boost,” much like a burst of accelerant igniting a stronger flame.
Calories
The Fuel to Sustain
Ensuring your horse’s hooves are well-maintained reduces the risk of hoof-related injuries significantly! Keeping a regular schedule (which is typically recommended every 4-6 weeks) can reduce lameness, pain, discomfort, and muscular asymmetry. As I am not a farrier, I will focus on the impacts that hoof problems have on body confirmation and muscle tension. When hooves have been overgrown or improperly farriered, it puts a horse at a higher risk of bone deformities and tendon or ligament strains. It adds unnecessary stress to joints due to imbalances that can cause uneven weight distribution. This can contribute to altered posture, which can translate to altered gait patterns. When a horse’s hoof angle is incorrect, it can put increased pressure on their shoulder and neck muscles, which in turn affects the musculature, making it tense and causing discomfort. Over time, this can lead to deformities that are permanent, or at the very least, time-consuming and costly to correct!
Some Final Notes
Winter diets often involve switching from pasture to hay and potentially adding other feeds; it is essential to make any diet changes gradually. Adjustments should occur over a period of 14–21 days, especially if the changes are significant. This gradual transition helps your horse’s digestive system adapt and reduces the risk of colic and other digestive issues, keeping their “fire” burning smoothly all winter long.
A consistent theme throughout all my articles is the importance of water intake, and this article is no different. Keeping your horse hydrated is crucial for digestive health, especially in winter when decreased water intake can lead to digestive upsets such as impaction colic. Adding water-rich feeds to their diet, like soaked hay cubes, beet pulp, and/or alfalfa pellets, can help maintain hydration levels. Soaked feeds are also a great way to warm up their meals, making the cold winter days a little more comfortable. Think of it as adding hot cocoa to your holiday lineup—a comforting way to keep your horse’s belly full and hydrated through the chilly season.
By combining the right balance of forage, fibre, protein, and calories, you can create a winter diet that’s as warm and comforting as a crackling holiday fire. So pour yourself some tea, hang those holiday lights, and take comfort in knowing that your horse’s winter diet is as well-rounded as a festive holiday meal.
Article written by Britain Mills-Dawes,
About Britain
is the owner of Stable Instincts, an equine business dedicated to equine wellness. As an equine practitioner, Britain has made a name for herself in the industry through her knowledge and hands-on experience with horses. Specializing in soft tissue manipulation, she brings a meticulous and professional approach to her work, ensuring the highest standards of care and business. In addition to her practice, Britain is a well-versed public speaker, sharing her insights and knowledge through digestible clinics, demos, and presentations. Britain has been a speaker and demonstrator at one of the largest equine events in western Canada, the Horse Expo, solidifying her position as a respected figure in the industry. You can also catch her doing demonstrations at the 2024 and 2025 Calgary Stampede. To work with Britain, contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at www.stableinstincts.ca.
