Horse Feeding Times: Finding the Best Daily Schedule

Keeping a horse happy isn’t just a feel-good goal, it’s the foundation of proper nutrition, fitness, daily care, and long-term wellbeing. Horses are emotional, social, and incredibly perceptive animals. When their needs are met, they give back in the most rewarding ways: relaxed behavior, willingness to learn, consistent performance, and that unmistakable sparkle in their eye.

One of the most important parts of their care? A balanced diet and a consistent feeding schedule. We're going to cover horse feeding times in this blog and help you in finding the best daily schedule.

Key Takeaways

• Consistent feeding routines support digestion, behaviour, and overall horse health.

• Horses do best with frequent, small meals that reflect natural grazing habits.

• Feeding times should be adjusted based on age, workload, temperament, and grazing access.

• Forage, clean water, and salt are the foundation of every feeding schedule.

• A predictable routine helps reduce stress and digestive upset.

 

Understanding Equine Nutrition

A healthy feeding routine starts with understanding your horse’s full nutritional needs. Every horse is different, and their bodies change with the seasons, workload, and age, so building a routine feed plan is one of the best gifts you can give your equine partner.

Key Factors That Influence Your Horse’s Nutritional Needs

When choosing the right feed, consider:

• Time of year
  

  Season changes dramatically affect a horse’s calorie needs and forage availability.

  • Winter: Horses burn more energy to stay warm. Grass quality drops, so they often need extra hay or higher-calorie feed to maintain condition.

  • Summer: Rich pasture can provide plenty of calories, sometimes too many, increasing laminitis risk in sensitive horses. Feed may need to be reduced or balanced differently.

  • Spring/Autumn transitions: Sudden changes in grass sugars can affect weight, behavior, and metabolic horses.

• Workload
  

  The more a horse works, the more fuel it needs — but the type of fuel matters.

  • Light work: Mostly forage with a vitamin/mineral balancer is often enough.

  • Moderate work: Added energy from fiber-based or low-starch feeds helps maintain condition.

  • Hard work (competition, endurance, jumping): Horses may need higher-energy rations, electrolytes, and joint/muscle support to perform and recover well.

  Workload affects protein requirements, calorie intake, hydration, and recovery nutrients.

• Temperament
  

  Feed can influence how horses feel and behave.

  • “Hot” or naturally forward horses: Too much starch or sugar can make them sharper. They often do better on slow-release energy sources like beet pulp, chaff, and oils.

  • Laid-back horses: May require more calorie-dense feed if they struggle to maintain energy or condition.

  • Reactive horses: Consistent feeding routines and gut-friendly diets can reduce stress-related behaviors.

  Temperament helps guide the type of energy you supply, not just how much.

• Size and weight
  

  Larger horses and those with poor condition have different nutritional demands.

  • Underweight horses: Need safe but calorie-rich feeds plus good-quality forage. Slow, steady weight gain is the goal.

  • Overweight horses: Benefit from low-sugar forage, controlled calories, and sometimes a grazing muzzle to avoid metabolic issues.

  • Breed differences: For example, ponies and cobs tend to be “easy keepers,” while Thoroughbreds may need more calories and protein.

  Weight management is central to preventing laminitis, ulcers, and performance limitations.

• Age
  

  Age influences metabolism, digestion, and nutrient absorption.

  • Young horses: Need balanced protein, vitamins, and minerals for correct growth and joint development.

  • Adult horses: Diets focus on sustaining condition and meeting workload needs.

  • Senior horses: Often have dental issues, reduced digestive efficiency, and may need softer, highly digestible feeds or senior mixes.

  Feeding appropriately for age prevents developmental issues in youngsters and weight loss or muscle wasting in older horses.

• Quality of grazing available
  

  Pasture is your horse’s main forage source — its quality determines how much extra feed is required.

  • High-quality grazing: Rich grass may meet most calorie needs, requiring only a balancer. It’s also higher risk for laminitis horses.

  • Poor-quality grazing: Dry, sparse, or overgrazed paddocks lack nutrients. Horses will rely more heavily on hay and concentrate feed.

  • Seasonal variation: Grass sugars, protein levels, and digestibility change through the year, affecting how horses gain or lose weight.

  Good grazing can reduce feed costs but must be managed safely.

  
  

It’s always recommended to consult your equine veterinarian or a certified equine nutritionist to ensure your horse’s feed plan meets all essential nutrient requirements.

The Golden Rules of Equine Nutrition

Some core guidelines apply to every horse, no matter the breed or lifestyle:

• Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
• Feed small amounts as often as possible and stick to consistent feeding times.
• Balance forage and concentrates appropriately for your horse’s workload.
• Allow four hours between feedings to support healthy digestion.
• Provide a salt source (a salt block or mineral block) at all times.
• Wait at least one hour after feeding before exercising.
  

Exercising too soon after feeding increases the risk of tying up or more serious digestive distress such as colic.

Common Types of Horse Feeds

Understanding feed categories helps you make informed choices tailored to your horse’s needs.

Concentrates

These feeds provide concentrated calories and are ideal for horses needing extra energy.

• Sweet or textured feed: Often includes oats, corn, barley, and bran.
• Pelleted feed: Finely ground grains pressed into pellets or cubes. They’re palatable, high-quality, prevent ingredient sorting, and can be soaked into a mash.
  
  

Complete Feeds

These feeds include the forage portion built directly into the formula. They can replace some or all hay which is especially helpful for:

• Senior horses
• Horses with dental issues
• Horses needing easily digestible nutrition
  

Senior feeds are especially formulated to meet the needs of older horses and can be soaked for easier chewing.

Ration Balancers

A nutrient-dense option with high vitamins, minerals, and protein but very few calories. Ideal for:

• Easy keepers
• Horses prone to weight gain
  

They are fed in small amounts (usually 1–3 lbs./day depending on size).

And remember that high-quality hay or forage should always be available. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on choosing the best hay for your horse!

Feeding Schedules: Creating the Best Routine for Your Horse

A structured feeding schedule is crucial for both health and happiness. Horses thrive on routine, and their digestive system is designed for frequent, small meals throughout the day.

General Feeding Guidelines

1. Feed According to Body Weight

A horse’s body weight can be estimated using:
Body weight (lb.) = (Heart girth² × Body length) ÷ 330

This helps determine accurate feed amounts for both grain and forage.

2. Measure Feed by Weight — Not Volume

Scoops and flakes vary widely. Accuracy will ensure that you are not underfeeding or overfeeding your horses. You can use a scale to accurately weigh:

• Hay
• Grain
• Supplements

3. Understand Body Condition Scores (BCS)

BCS helps determine whether your horse is one of the below. Either extreme can increase the risk of health problems. It's important to understand BCS.

• Underweight
• Overweight
• Ideal condition
  
  

4. Limit Nonstructural Carbohydrates (NSC)

Nonstructural carbohydrates, such as sugars and starches, can significantly impact a horse’s metabolic health, weight, and behavior. Horses that are prone to laminitis, EMS, PPID, or ulcer flare-ups often do best on low-NSC diets that provide slow-release energy instead of quick sugar spikes. Choosing feeds and forages specifically labelled as low-NSC helps support steady digestion, reduce inflammation risks, and keep sensitive horses more comfortable and balanced.

The general rule:
Do not feed more than 0.5% of your horse’s body weight in high-NSC feeds per meal.

5. How Often Should Horses Eat?

Most horses do best with 2 to 3 feedings per day, depending on their needs. A standard routine will include:

• AM feeding
• PM feeding
• Free-choice hay or forage throughout the day
  
  

Maintaining structured feeds based on your horses' needs will help to support gut health, reduces stress, and mimic natural grazing behavior.

Creating the best feeding schedule for your horse starts with understanding their individual nutritional needs and maintaining a consistent daily routine. From choosing the right type of feed to structuring feeding times and monitoring body condition, every detail contributes to their wellbeing. With thoughtful planning and the support of your veterinarian or equine nutritionist, you can keep your horse healthy, happy, and thriving all year long.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I feed my horse each day?

Most horses do well with at least two meals per day, along with continuous access to forage.

2. Why is a consistent feeding schedule important?

Predictable feeding times support digestion and reduce stress-related behaviour.

3. Is feeding twice a day enough?

It can be, especially if forage is available between meals. More frequent feeding is generally better when possible.

4. Should feeding times change with the seasons?

Yes. Seasonal changes in pasture quality, temperature, and workload may require adjustments.

5. What feeding approach works best for easy keepers?

Controlled portions, low-sugar forage, and regular feeding times help manage weight and metabolism.