Questions to Ask About Your New Horse’s Nutrition

When purchasing a new horse, there are many things to consider and organise, which sometimes means questions about the horse’s nutritional needs are forgotten. To provide an informed recommendation for your new horse's feeding plan, it is essential to understand their previous diet. This information helps nutritionists to create an appropriate starting feed plan and to ensure you have suitable feed ready before your new horse arrives.

Current Diet

A crucial question to ask about your new horse’s nutrition is: "What are they currently being fed?" Understanding the specific feeds and daily quantities your horse has been receiving will help nutritionists assess whether your new horse is a good-doer, a poor-doer, or average at maintaining weight. If feeding rates are given in scoops, be sure to enquire about the type of scoop used and whether the quantities refer to dry or soaked weight, especially if a mash is being fed.

Once you know your horse's current feed, it is also important to ask how long they have been on this diet. Has it been a recent change, or has the horse been maintained on this horse feeding routine for sometime? If the feeding plan is new or has recently been altered, the horse may still be adjusting, and the effects of the feed may not be fully evident yet.

Forage Intake

As forage forms the foundation of a horse’s diet, ask what types of forage your horse is currently eating—whether it is grass, hay, haylage or forage replacers. Consider how this may differ to the forage they will be getting in their new home, and how this may impact their feed plan going forwards. Find out if the horse generally has a good appetite for forage or if they tend to be picky. Understanding your horse’s forage intake is essential when planning a smooth transition.

Specific Nutritional Requirements

Now is a great opportunity to discuss any past nutritional issues, such as temperament changes or negative reactions to certain feeds or ingredients. While your new horse may appear to be in good condition, it is helpful to know if they tend to fluctuate in weight, allowing you to prepare for any potential seasonal changes and adjust your horse feed plan accordingly. Find out if your new horse has a history of any nutritional related disorders such as digestive issues, metabolic conditions, or muscle myopathies, to ensure the new feed is suitable to reduce the risk of future occurrences.

Contact a Nutritionist

If you have gathered this information and are still unsure whether their current feeding plan is appropriate, you should consult a nutrition advisor before your horse arrives. If it is determined that their feed should be changed, we advise bringing a week’s worth of their current feed with you, or buying a bag of their current feed, to ensure a gradual transition onto their new ration.