The Autumn Transition: Is Your Horse's Diet Still Meeting Their Nutritional Needs?

As autumn sets in, grass growth slows and horses start relying more on hay or haylage. This shift can change what your horse is getting from their diet, so September is a good time to check that their ration continues to meet their nutritional needs. 

How Does Autumn Affect Your Horse's Forage?

The nutritional value of forage can vary depending on factors such as soil, growing conditions, harvesting and storage. Forage alone for most parts of the world is not nutritionally complete for the horse, so additional nutrients will be required to balance the diet. 

Forage analysis, where possible, can provide a clearer picture of what your horse's forage is contributing to their diet and help identify where additional nutritional support may be required. 

Why Are Vitamins and Minerals Important on a Forage-Based Diet?

Vitamins, minerals and trace elements are required in relatively small amounts, but they play important roles throughout the body. Vitamin A supports the immune system, skin and vision, Vitamin D contributes to strong bones, and Vitamin E acts as a key antioxidant supporting muscle health. B vitamins also play important roles in energy metabolism and normal bodily functions.

Minerals matter too: Calcium and Phosphorus help build and maintain strong bones and muscles, while Magnesium supports the nervous system. Trace elements including Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Iodine, Selenium and Iron also play important roles around the body, including bone and muscle health and overall wellbeing.

A horse's requirements vary depending on factors such as age, bodyweight, workload and overall diet. Even when energy requirements are being met by a forage-based diet, it's important to consider whether the ration is also providing an appropriate balance of these essential micronutrients.

Where the diet is largely forage-based or low levels of concentrate feed are being fed, a broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement can help complement the nutrients provided by the rest of the diet.

Supporting a Forage-Based Autumn Diet

Everyday Vitamins & Minerals provides a carefully balanced combination of essential micronutrients for horses and ponies on forage-based diets or receiving low levels of concentrate feed.

The low-starch and low-sugar formula provides over 25 key vitamins, minerals and trace elements, including Vitamins A, D, E and B vitamins, alongside key minerals and trace elements such as Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc and Selenium. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health and a healthy gut microbiome.

This makes it a practical and cost effective way to balance a forage-based diet through autumn and beyond.

Reviewing Your Horse's Autumn Diet

As your horse's grazing, forage and routine change with the season, take the time to review their whole ration rather than focusing on any one part of the diet. Making sure their energy, fibre, protein, vitamin and mineral needs are appropriately met can help support their overall health and wellbeing throughout autumn and into winter.

Need advice for your horse? Contact our knowledgeable team of Vets and Nutritionists for tailored nutritional advice at info@equine-america.com.