A varied menu

Q How can I make my stabled horse’s diet more exciting over winter?

Sarah Peterson, Lincolnshire

Sarah says: For the large majority of stabled horses, hay or haylage is the ideal replacement for grazing — and while we may believe variety is the spice of life, most horses are only too happy to tuck into the same feed and forage every day.

It’s also important to remember that frequent or sudden changes in diet can lead to digestive upsets such as loose droppings and colic, so should be avoided wherever possible. In fact, due to the amount eaten, changes in forage may pose equal if not greater risk to digestive health as changes in bucket feed.

However, provided they are fed in small amounts, succulents such as carrots, swedes and turnips can provide added variety and be fed in between meals to help keep your horse occupied.

Fussy eater?

If your horse is fussy and you’re concerned he may not be eating enough forage, try offering a partial hay replacer alongside ad-lib hay or haylage. The most suitable option will depend on your horse’s body condition and what he finds palatable. Short-chop fibres are the ideal choice. Low-calorie fibres, which often contain a blend of straw and alfalfa, are ideal for good doers, while alfalfa or grass chaffs can be a good option for those who have difficulty maintaining weight.

Some varieties of high-fibre cubes can also be fed as replacement for forage and provide a similar level of calories to hay; they can also be fed in a snack ball, as can any other cubes you already feed. Other options include grass nuts or alfalfa pellets, unmolassed sugar beet and quick-soaking mashes, which come in a range of calorie offerings.