Feeding your horse seems straightforward—until you notice something’s off. Maybe your horse is losing weight, acting differently, or developing health issues. More often than not, the root of these problems lies in the feed. Despite our best efforts, even experienced horse owners can miss subtle cues that something isn’t right in their feeding routine. Choosing the right horse feed isn’t just about keeping your horse full—it’s about supporting their performance, behavior, and long-term well-being.
Let’s explore five clear signs your current horse feed may not be ideal and, most importantly, what you can do to correct it.
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1. Sudden Changes in Weight: Weight Loss or Gain
One of the most obvious signs of feeding the wrong feed is a noticeable change in your horse’s weight. Horses that are underfed or receiving the wrong balance of nutrients may start losing muscle mass and condition. Conversely, overfeeding or giving high-calorie concentrates to an idle horse can result in unhealthy weight gain.
How to Fix It:
- Assess Body Condition Score (BCS): Regularly evaluate your horse’s BCS on a scale from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese). Ideal scores range between 4 and 6, depending on the horse’s age and workload.
- Evaluate Feed Composition: Ensure your horse’s feed matches their workload, age, and breed. For example, a high-performance horse requires more energy-dense feed than a pasture pet.
- Introduce High-Quality Forage: Forage should always be the foundation of your feeding program. Products like forage cubes and pellets provide digestible fiber and nutrients without unnecessary calories.
A gradual change in diet, with adjustments based on performance level and metabolic rate, can bring your horse back to a healthy weight.
2. Dull Coat and Poor Hoof Quality
A shiny coat and strong hooves are often indicators of good internal health. If your horse’s coat looks dull, feels coarse, or their hooves crack and chip easily, you may be dealing with a nutritional imbalance, particularly deficiencies in essential fatty acids, amino acids, or minerals like zinc and biotin.
How to Fix It:
- Add Omega Fatty Acids: Look for horse feeds that include flaxseed, soybean oil, or other healthy fats to promote a glossy coat.
- Ensure Balanced Minerals: A high-quality feed should have the right balance of macro and trace minerals. You can also consider a hoof-specific supplement if your current feed falls short.
- Boost Protein Quality: Horses need amino acids like lysine and methionine for healthy hair and hoof growth. Premium forage products often contain naturally balanced protein sources to support these needs.
Feeding the right nutrient-rich feed improves external appearance and supports your horse’s immune function and overall vitality.
3. Behavioral Changes or Energy Imbalance
Horses are creatures of habit. If your normally calm horse becomes hyperactive, irritable, or lethargic, consider looking at their diet. An energy mismatch—too many quick carbs for a laid-back trail horse or not enough fuel for a competition horse—can cause serious behavioral swings.
How to Fix It:
- Avoid High-Starch Feeds (Unless Necessary): Diets heavy in grains and starch can spike blood sugar, leading to unpredictable energy and even conditions like laminitis.
- Use Forage-Based Energy: Forage pellets and cubes provide slow-release energy that supports sustained performance without behavioral side effects.
- Match Feed to Activity Level: Feeding a racehorse the same ration as a lightly ridden gelding is a recipe for problems. Customize your feeding based on work intensity.
When your horse receives a balanced source of energy appropriate to their job, you’ll notice a more consistent, manageable temperament.
4. Digestive Issues: Colic, Diarrhea, and Gas
Feeding the wrong type or amount of horse feed can wreak havoc on your horse’s digestive tract. Frequent colic episodes, soft stools, or excessive gas can often be traced back to poor-quality feed, sudden diet changes, or an improper forage-to-concentrate ratio.
How to Fix It:
- Prioritize Digestible Fiber: Horses are hindgut fermenters, meaning they rely on fiber for proper digestion. High-quality forage products like alfalfa or timothy cubes support gut health.
- Feed Small, Frequent Meals: Instead of two large grain-heavy meals, offer smaller, more frequent portions with free choice forage to prevent gut stress.
- Transition Gradually: Always take 7-10 days to transition between feed types to allow gut bacteria to adjust.
A stable digestive system translates to a happier, healthier horse—and a lower vet bill.
5. Poor Performance and Slow Recovery
Is your performance horse tiring quickly, refusing to train, or struggling to recover after workouts? While these symptoms could stem from overtraining or a medical condition, don’t overlook nutrition. Feeding a diet lacking in quality protein, electrolytes, or digestible energy can hinder your horse’s ability to train and recover.
How to Fix It:
- Incorporate High-Energy Forage: Alfalfa-based cubes or pellets are excellent sources of digestible energy and protein to support muscle repair.
- Add Electrolytes in Hot Weather: Especially during intense training or hot climates, horses lose vital salts through sweat. Consider electrolyte supplementation.
- Monitor Protein Intake: Underfed muscles don’t grow. Make sure your horse is getting enough lysine, threonine, and other essential amino acids.
Recovery isn’t just about rest—it’s about fueling the body with the right nutrients at the right time. The right horse feed provides energy and replenishes lost nutrients after physical effort.
Bonus Tip: Feed Labels Can Be Misleading
Another often overlooked issue is feed mislabeling or misleading marketing. Many commercial feeds appear to be “complete” but contain low-quality fillers, synthetic additives, or imbalanced nutrient ratios. It’s important to scrutinize feed labels and seek transparency in sourcing and nutritional content.
What to Look for in a Quality Horse Feed:
- Named Forage Sources: Look for specific ingredients like “alfalfa meal” or “timothy grass,” not just “plant protein.”
- No Artificial Fillers: Avoid feeds loaded with molasses, corn syrup, or by-product meals.
- Consistent Nutritional Values: The guaranteed analysis should align with your horse’s needs, and reputable manufacturers will offer guidance or support in customizing a feeding program.
The Role of High-Quality Forage in a Balanced Diet
Regardless of whether your horse is a backyard buddy or a performance athlete, forage should be the centerpiece of their diet. The digestive system of a horse is built for constant grazing—not bolted grain meals. That’s why switching to forage-first nutrition often resolves multiple health and behavioral problems at once.
Forage cubes and pellets are particularly useful for:
- Horses with dental issues (easier to chew or soak)
- Traveling or boarding horses (more convenient and consistent)
- Weight gain or muscle maintenance
- Seniors and young horses needing quality protein
These products offer versatility, nutritional density, and digestibility—qualities that hay alone may lack, especially if the hay quality is inconsistent due to seasonal changes.
Customizing the Fix: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Every horse is different. Breed, age, workload, metabolism, and environment all play a role in determining the right feed. The solution isn’t always about switching brands—it may be about tweaking rations, supplementing strategically, or upgrading forage quality.
If you’re unsure, consider consulting an equine nutritionist or working with a feed provider that understands your horse’s unique needs.
Why Choose Greenway Animal Nutrition?
At Greenway Animal Nutrition, we understand that not all horses—and not all horse feeds—are created equal. Whether you’re managing a competitive show string, nurturing a growing foal, or simply enjoying trail rides with your favorite companion, we provide premium forage products tailored to your horse’s health and lifestyle.
Our offerings include:
- Forage Pellets – Easy to feed and great for mixing with supplements or top-dressings.
- Forage Cubes – Ideal hay replacement for high-performance needs or weight maintenance.
We prioritize quality, consistency, and nutritional integrity in every batch. No fillers. No mystery ingredients. Just clean, reliable nutrition that helps horses thrive from the inside out.
Ready to Make a Change?
If you’ve seen any of the signs above, it’s time to rethink what’s going in your horse’s feed bucket. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but you do need to ensure that what you’re feeding is doing more good than harm. Your horse deserves feed that fuels, heals, and supports—every single day.
Contact us today to learn more about our forage-based feed solutions and how we can help customize a feeding program that brings out the best in your horse. Whether you have one horse or a whole herd, we’re here to support you every step of the way with knowledge, compassion, and quality you can trust.
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Keeping your horse in top shape is more than just feeding and grooming—it’s a holistic effort that requires careful attention to diet, exercise, mental well-being, preventive care, and environmental management. A healthy horse is a happy and high-performing horse, whether it’s a competitive athlete or a cherished trail companion.
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Understanding the Foundations of Horse Health
The key to horse health lies in proactive, daily care and awareness. A horse’s well-being is influenced by a variety of factors: nutrition, physical activity, dental and hoof care, veterinary attention, and even the emotional environment in which it lives. When all of these elements align, horses tend to live longer, perform better, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Before jumping into the tips, it’s important to know what a healthy horse looks like:
- Bright, alert eyes and expression
- Glossy, full coat
- Steady appetite and proper digestion
- Sound movement and strong hooves
- Normal vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature)
- Stable behavior and temperament
If your horse displays these signs, you’re already on the right track. If not, don’t worry—there are many ways to enhance your horse’s condition.
Nutrition: The Cornerstone of Equine Wellness
Choose the Right Forage
Forage should make up the bulk of your horse’s diet. High-quality forage provides essential fiber that supports gut health, aids digestion, and ensures long-term wellness. Products like forage cubes and pellets offer consistency in nutrition and are ideal when pasture access is limited.
At Greenway Animal Nutrition, we offer premium forage options carefully formulated to meet your horse’s needs. Whether you’re feeding a senior horse with dental issues or a racehorse in training, our products offer tailored nutrition that supports vitality.
Balance Energy and Protein Intake
A common mistake among horse owners is overfeeding grain-based feeds, which can lead to obesity or metabolic disorders. Instead, feed according to your horse’s activity level, age, and metabolism. An idle pasture horse has vastly different needs than a show jumper or endurance horse.
Don’t Forget Vitamins and Minerals
Trace minerals like selenium, zinc, and copper, as well as vitamins A, D, and E, are essential for immune function, skin and coat health, and muscle recovery. Supplementation should be strategic—not all horses need the same levels.
Consider consulting with a nutritionist or your vet to assess deficiencies and supplement accordingly. Many quality forage blends already include these nutrients, streamlining your horse’s diet plan.
Exercise and Physical Conditioning
Consistent Movement Matters
Horses are built to move. Standing still for long periods can lead to stiffness, muscle atrophy, and even digestive problems such as colic. If you don’t ride daily, be sure your horse has adequate turnout space or schedule lunging and groundwork exercises to maintain fitness.
Tailor Exercise to the Horse
Not all horses need the same level of exertion. A retired horse may need only light walking to stay limber, while a dressage prospect needs regular conditioning. Create a program that challenges your horse without causing fatigue or strain.
Monitor Weight and Body Condition
Being underweight or overweight can cause major health concerns. Use a body condition scoring (BCS) chart to evaluate your horse’s condition regularly. If you notice changes, adjust the feeding or exercise program accordingly.
Preventive Health and Veterinary Care
Annual Vet Exams
Don’t wait until your horse is sick to call the vet. An annual wellness exam allows for early detection of common problems such as dental disease, Cushing’s, or arthritis. Include vaccinations and deworming protocols tailored to your geographic region and boarding setup.
Dental Care
Uneven tooth wear can lead to difficulty chewing, weight loss, or behavioral issues. A dental check-up at least once a year is recommended—more often for older horses or those with dental irregularities.
Hoof Care
Hooves should be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks, even if your horse is not in heavy work. Regular farrier visits prevent lameness, abscesses, and imbalances in movement. Pick your horse’s feet daily to check for stones, infections, or foreign objects.
Managing Parasites and Disease
Deworm Strategically
Gone are the days of routine deworming every 8 weeks. Today, most vets recommend fecal egg count testing to determine the need and frequency for deworming, helping reduce resistance in parasites and protecting your horse’s gut health.
Vaccinate Appropriately
Core vaccines like rabies, tetanus, West Nile, and Eastern/Western equine encephalitis are generally recommended, with additional vaccines such as influenza or strangles as needed based on travel and exposure risks.
Quarantine New Arrivals
If you bring a new horse to your barn, always quarantine it for 2-3 weeks to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Watch for coughing, nasal discharge, fever, or lethargy during this time.
Environmental Management and Comfort
Clean Stalls and Pastures
Good hygiene prevents respiratory issues and hoof diseases. Remove manure from stalls and paddocks daily. Ensure proper ventilation in barns and avoid bedding materials that create excess dust.
Provide Shelter and Shade
Horses should have access to shelter to protect them from extreme weather, whether it’s sun, wind, rain, or snow. This helps prevent overheating and cold stress, both of which can weaken immune function.
Adequate Water Access
Clean, fresh water should be available 24/7. In colder months, make sure water isn’t frozen—hydration is just as critical in winter as in summer. Dehydration is a common cause of impaction colic.
Monitoring Behavior and Mental Health
Recognize Stress Indicators
Changes in behavior often indicate underlying health issues or discomfort. Watch for:
- Pacing or weaving
- Loss of appetite
- Aggression or irritability
- Excessive lying down or rolling
Social Interaction
Horses are herd animals. Isolation can cause anxiety and depression. If possible, house horses where they can see, smell, and touch other horses, even if not turned out together.
Mental Stimulation
Boredom can lead to stereotypies like cribbing or stall walking. To keep your horse mentally engaged, rotate toys, introduce new groundwork exercises, and vary the riding routine.
Addressing Specific Life Stages and Needs
Foals and Young Horses
Young horses need more energy and protein for growth, along with proper socialization and handling. Regular vet visits are essential for monitoring development and starting vaccinations.
Senior Horses
Older horses may suffer from arthritis, dental loss, and metabolic conditions. Switch to senior-specific feeds that are easier to chew and digest. Monitor weight and comfort closely and modify turnout or riding schedules to accommodate physical changes.
Performance Horses
High-performance horses have elevated nutritional and physical demands. High-quality forage, joint supplements, and carefully planned rest periods are essential to reduce injury risk and maintain peak performance.
Common Health Issues to Watch For
Here are a few widespread equine health concerns every owner should be familiar with:
- Colic – Symptoms include pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, and lack of bowel movements. This is an emergency—call your vet immediately.
- Laminitis – Inflammation in the hoof is often caused by overfeeding or metabolic disorders. Catching it early increases the chances of recovery.
- Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) – Typically affects overweight horses, leading to insulin resistance and laminitis.
- Cushing’s Disease – Common in older horses and causes a long, curly coat, increased drinking, and muscle wasting.
Record-Keeping and Routine Check-Ins
Track Everything
Maintain a written or digital log of veterinary visits, deworming schedules, vaccinations, weight changes, feed types, and behavior notes. Patterns can help uncover early signs of disease or discomfort.
Daily Observations
Take a few minutes each day to assess your horse’s eyes, legs, appetite, manure, and demeanor. Early detection is one of the most powerful tools in protecting horse health.
Partner with the Right Feed Provider
One of the best ways to ensure consistent horse health is by sourcing your nutrition from a trusted provider.
At Greenway Animal Nutrition, we recognize that high-quality feed is essential for maintaining healthy, well-nourished horses. That’s why we offer premium forage products designed to meet the needs of horse owners, breeders, and trainers. Whether you’re caring for a high-performance racehorse, a trusted riding companion, or a herd on your farm, our diverse selection of forage pellets, cubes, and meal provides a reliable feeding solution.
Our products are:
- Made with premium-grade ingredients
- Consistently formulated to meet specific nutritional profiles
- Designed for palatability and digestibility
- Backed by equine nutritional science
We’re proud to support horse owners across the country who want only the best for their animals.
Final Thoughts
Improving your horse’s health is a journey that blends attentive care, nutritional knowledge, and proactive management. By taking a thoughtful, well-rounded approach, you’ll not only improve your horse’s physical well-being but also foster a deep, lasting bond built on trust and compassion.
Whether you’re a first-time horse owner or a seasoned breeder, the keys to better horse health are within reach—and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Ready to Elevate Your Horse’s Health?
Reach out to us today and explore our full range of premium forage solutions. Your horse deserves the best—and so do you.
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