Nutrition

Barn life is busy. When a horse feels “a bit off,” most owners do the same thing: they try to remember what changed, scroll through photos, search old texts, or piece together a timeline from scattered notes. That works until it does not. A stressful vet call is not the moment you want to guess whether the fever started this morning or last night, or whether you gave the last dose at 6 pm or 9 pm. A horse health log  fixes that. It is a simple, repeatable way to record vitals

Timothy hay is one of the most common hays fed to horses in the US because it is usually consistent, easy to manage, and works well as a baseline forage for many adult horses. But “best hay” depends on the horse in front of you. A hay that keeps one horse perfectly fit can cause weight gain in an easy keeper, or fall short for a hard keeper. Your horse’s weight, workload, and metabolic risk matter as much as the hay label. If you are choosing between hay types, start with thi

Rice bran can be a useful tool when you need more calories without more starch. That is why it shows up in weight gain programs and in cold weather feeding plans. But rice bran is also one of the most misunderstood feeds online. The details matter, especially the difference between stabilized vs not stabilized, and how a high fat supplement affects omega balance and the rest of the diet. Educational only. Always match feeding changes to your horse’s health status and your vet

Credit: equimanagement Beet pulp is a high-fiber feed that can support calories, gut fill, and hydration when used correctly. It is popular because it adds digestible fiber without the starch load many owners want to avoid. It is not a magic weight-gain shortcut and it is not right for every horse. The “best” beet pulp plan depends on dentition, eating speed, water access, and how carefully you introduce it. For a quick foundation on how fiber, protein, and energy fit togethe

Winter water problems are rarely about one thing. Horses drink less when water is icy, smells off, feels “tingly” from electrical issues, or is hard to access because of ice, mud, or herd dynamics. The goal with heated water buckets and trough de-icers is not to make water hot. It is to keep it comfortably drinkable, consistently available, and safe, so your horse maintains normal hydration and gut motility through cold snaps. TLDR Most horses drink best when winter water is

Choosing between orchard, timothy, and alfalfa is really about matching nutrients to the horse, not picking a plant name. This guide to Orchard vs Timothy vs Alfalfa shows how NSC, protein, and the calcium to phosphorus balance shape weight control, performance fuel, and metabolic safety. Use a hay lab on a dry matter basis, then tailor intake with your veterinarian and keep basic biosecurity in mind. If you need a refresher on energy, protein, minerals, and dry matter, skim

Electrolytes for horses: Sodium, chloride, and potassium are essential for hydration and nerve/muscle function. For most horses, plain salt covers daily needs; electrolyte mixes are useful during heat, travel, or sweat-loss from work or illness. Always provide free-choice water and consult your vet for medical conditions. Salt is the cheapest, safest hydration tool you can use—and most horses don’t get enough. Sodium drives thirst and helps nerves and muscles fire; chloride p

Alfalfa pellets offer a tidy way to add alfalfa’s nutrients—higher protein, more calcium, and steady calories compared with most grass hays. They’re handy for building topline, supporting performance, or giving a small pre-ride snack that can help buffer stomach acid. But because the fiber is short, pellets belong as a supplement , not a hay replacement. Long-stem hay and pasture remain the foundation of every ration (see The Basics of Equine Nutrition ) Be careful with easy

Horse Weighing Horse weight isn’t a single number—it’s a range shaped by type, frame, height, age, and body condition. For owners, the real job is getting an accurate enough  estimate to feed correctly, dose safely, respect trailer limits, and track conditioning. This guide gives you fast reference ranges by type and two owner-safe, two-minute methods (scale if available; tape + formula if not) so you can measure at home with confidence. We’ll also show how Body Condition Sco

Glucosamine has become one of the most common joint supplements for horses—but what does it actually do, and is it worth adding to your...

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a prevalent, complex metabolic disorder affecting horses, ponies, and donkeys, characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, and an increased risk of laminitis. With growing attention on animal health, understanding EMS thoroughly—particularly its diagnosis, preventive measures, and early warning signs—is essential for responsible horse ownership. Understanding Equine Metabolic Syndrome EMS is closely tied to an animal's metabolism, particul

Supplements for horses are nothing new—but one product that’s grown in popularity, especially among performance horses, is capillary...

Learn the basics of equine nutrition in this easy-to-understand breakdown.