Feeding plan for a recreational horse: how to get started

Start with weight and body condition score

Before you weigh a single scoop of concentrate, you want to know how your horse is doing right now. Estimate the weight with a measuring tape (girth x girth x length divided by 11.877 gives a reasonable estimate) or use a weighbridge. Then assess the body condition score on a scale of 1 to 9. For a recreational horse, aim for a score of 4.5 to 5.5. A score of 6 or higher is a signal to adjust the feeding immediately. Record this in the horse file in EquiSight, so you can compare month after month whether your horse is moving in the right direction.

Roughage is the foundation of everything

A horse's stomach is designed for an almost continuous supply of roughage. The rule of thumb: at least 1.5% of body weight per day in dry matter from roughage. For a 550 kg horse, that's around 8 to 9 kg of hay per day. Have your hay analyzed — a sample costs about 30 to 50 euros and gives you exact information about energy, protein, sugar, and minerals. Grass in the pasture counts, but is harder to quantify. With rich spring pasture, a 550 kg horse can easily get 6 to 8 kg dry matter per day, more than enough without extra roughage.

Does your recreational horse need concentrate?

Many recreational horses that are in light work four to five hours a week don't need concentrate with good hay. What they do need are vitamins and minerals. Adding a pellet or mineral feed is the smartest choice. If you do give a maintenance or light-work pellet, keep the amount between 0.5 and 1 kg per day and always weigh it out. The mistake you want to avoid is a full bucket of cheap concentrate because your horse 'likes it'.

Adjust feeding to the season

• Spring and summer: limit pasture access if risk of laminitis, supplement hay with mineral feed.
• Autumn: check if the pasture is producing enough; adjust roughage as grass decreases.
• Winter: horses burn more energy for warmth; increase roughage by 10-15% during prolonged frost.
• With more work (vacations, clinics): increase concentrate gradually, maximum 0.5 kg per extra work day.
• With less work or injury: cut concentrate first, roughage always stays at the same level.

Water, salt, and supplements

A 550 kg horse drinks an average of 25 to 50 liters of water per day, more in heat or after exercise. Ensure clean, fresh water is always available and unlimited. A salt lick is a good basic supplement; horses take what they need themselves. Supplements only make sense if you can demonstrate a deficiency via a blood test or feed analysis. A feed advisor or veterinarian can help avoid unnecessary costs. Record all supplements and changes in the horse file, so you know exactly what you gave when later.

Create a simple daily schedule

Consistency is key in horse feeding. Give roughage at least two to three times a day, or use an automatic feeder. Give concentrate maximum 2 kg per meal — more than that your digestive system can't handle well. An example daily schedule for a 550 kg recreational horse:

• 07:00 — 3 kg hay + 0.5 kg mineral pellet
• 12:30 — Free pasture or 2.5 kg hay
• 17:00 — Training (maximum 45-60 minutes light work)
• 18:00 — 3 kg hay after training
• 22:00 — 2 kg hay for the night

Use EquiCoach to monitor the schedule

Keeping track of feeding is half the work; consistently adjusting is the other half. Use the calendar in EquiSight to schedule weight measurements and body condition scores, at least once a month. The EquiCoach function helps you recognize patterns: is the body condition score rising slowly but steadily while the ration hasn't changed? Then it's time to take a closer look at pasture access or roughage. This way you keep your horse fit and healthy, without the dreaded winter weight gain.