The ultimate winter feed for horses: how to keep them healthy and energetic

What should your horse's winter menu include? During the colder months, horses' nutritional needs change dramatically. Discover how to create the perfect winter feed and what to consider to meet all your horse's needs.

Hay: The basis of winter nutrition

Hay is the most important feed in winter. It provides essential fiber and energy and keeps your horse's digestion active. But not all hay is of good quality.

High-quality hay is green, fresh-smelling, and free of harmful mold, poisonous plants, foreign bodies, or excessive dust. The moisture content should not exceed 30%. If you don't have hay of this quality, alternatives such as soaked hay or alfalfa are a good choice. A Fiber Mix , such as Vitalbix, is an excellent supplement. It's rich in crude fiber, dust-free, and contains high-quality nutrients to optimally meet fiber needs.

More vitamins and minerals for the winter

Compared to fresh grass, hay has a different nutritional profile. During the drying process, hay loses important nutrients, such as vitamin A, which is essential for skin, coat, and mucous membranes.

It's therefore advisable to feed them extra in winter. Vitamin E and selenium also help keep muscles supple and support the immune system. Zinc is essential for healthy skin and helps during the shedding process. A tailored mineral feed like Reverdy Oligovit can effectively replenish these deficiencies.

Vegetable oils: Omega-3 and Omega-6 in balance

Vegetable oils are an important source of energy in winter. Linseed oil, in particular, rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, supports healthy skin and a shiny coat.

For the right balance, a combination with omega-6 fatty acids, such as those found in sunflower oil, is recommended. TRM Omega 3 offers an ideal mix of these fatty acids in a balanced ratio.

Strengthening the immune system

Winter challenges horses' immune systems. Nutrition can support their resistance. Hagebutten, for example, is rich in vitamin C and a natural addition to the diet.

Brewer's yeast and flaxseed strengthen intestinal flora, an important foundation for a strong immune system. Minerals like copper, zinc, and selenium also play a role in immunity.

Digestion: More than just food processing

A healthy gut is crucial, especially in winter. Hay contains less moisture and more fiber than grass, which can slow digestion and sometimes lead to constipation or colic.

Moist feeds like mash support digestion and increase fluid intake. Probiotics can stabilize intestinal flora, especially in older or sensitive horses.

Precaution over aftercare

Whether it's a young sport horse, a quiet recreational partner, an older pensioner, or a sensitive eczema pony, winter is the time to lay a healthy foundation for the coming year.