Horse Feeding

Are automatic hay-feeding systems worth it? Find out why hay dispensers often create more problems than they solve — and which alternatives work better.

How do automated concentrate feeders work in horse management?Learn all about microchip control and the pros and cons in group housing (open barns).

Are additives in horse feed harmful or helpful? Learn how to correctly assess vitamins, trace elements, and preservatives.

What’s really in senior feeds for older horses? Why many products can be problematic – and which alternatives actually make sense.

How do I recognise quality horse feed? Learn to see through marketing tricks and make the best choice for your horse. The ultimate guide.

How to read feed labels correctly: decode ingredients, quality, and hidden details – the complete guide for horse owners.

Understand the composition of horse feed correctly. From apple pomace to beet pulp – identify quality and hidden fillers.

Sugar content in the grass too high? Learn how weather, time of day, and temperature affect sugar levels – and how to protect your horse.

Vitamin A is important for many functions in the horse’s body, ranging from the immune system and reproduction to bone metabolism.

Organic selenium can trigger a rebound effect in horses. Find out why sodium selenite is often the better choice.

Garlic has enjoyed great popularity as an insect repellent for years. But does it really work? And what are the side effects?

The summer of 2024 is currently extremely rainy in most regions. This brings with it some pitfalls for the hay harvest.

The trace element iron is increasingly coming into focus as a cause of health problems in horses. Is that really the case?

Use and effect on horses ▶︎ Find out all about oregano and its effect on horses in our herbal tip

Secrets of an ancient medicinal plant: from antiquity to modern use in humans and horses ▶︎ Find out more in our article

Use and effects on horses ▶︎ Find out all about liquorice and its use on horses in our herbal advice

An annual psyllium treatment to "cleanse the bowel" is supposed to protect against colic ► Fact or myth? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Similarities, differences, and areas of application ▶︎ How do these detox products for horses work?

Use and effects on horses ▶︎ Discover the diversity of this bitter herb in our herbal advice

You get high-quality hay when it is stored correctly—this includes allowing the hay to cure properly ➔

Time-controlled hay feeders compared with unrestricted hay and slow feeders ▶︎ New research results in horse feeding!

Rosemary is a true all-rounder in phytotherapy. Find out how this healing herb can benefit horse owners in our latest herbal tip ➤

Beet pulp, apple pomace, and similar options are consistently recommended. But are they truly suitable as nutritious horse feed?

Brewer's yeast is often discussed as a health-promoting feed supplement for horses? Sanoanimal examines a current study and brewer's yeast

Apple cider vinegar is often claimed as a miracle cure for horses. But what does apple cider vinegar do for horses and does it make sense to feed it?

A tree with healing powers for your horse ►Use and application ► Find out more now in the SANOANIMAL article✓

Regular mowing reduces the risk of laminitis - fact or myth? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Sugar levels in pasture grass ► How much sugar does it contain, and why? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Calculating rations for horses ► How much feed does my horse really need? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Dandelion - a yellow spring plant with healing properties ►Use and application ► Find out more now in the SANOANIMAL article✓

Disinfectant for hay ► Is sodium hypochlorite safe or harmful for horses? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Herbal tip for horses: Birch ► anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, supportive in cases of rheumatism, and much more. ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Are automatic hay feeders beneficial to horses and stable owners? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

In winter, you can support your horse with a few simple but effective supplements and top up the lean winter diet ✓

More and more feed contains structured chaff. But are they really a healthy alternative in horse feeding?

Why do horses need continuous hay feeding? ► Why can meal feeding be harmful? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Heather can have a strengthening effect on mucous membranes. How to utilise its beneficial effects as an expectorant and more in horses...

Helping your horse with a cough: which herbs for which symptoms? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Supporting the horse with calming feed additives ► Relax? Calming herbs? ► Read more in our SANOANIMAL article✓

Good quality hay is just one of the two fundamental nutrients; the other often leads a rather quiet and sometimes neglected existence: water. In many stables, however, water is not even monitored or regularly tested.

Plenty of hay, pasture in summer, mineral feed and salt lick - and a bit of sainfoin or lucerne as a protein supplier if needed. With this, a healthy horse is actually sufficiently supplied for the time being. But the horse has not always had the...

Horses need a source of wood fibre. We explain here how this can be done with straw, branches or twigs.

What should hay be like for my young horse? We explain what to look out for and the best way to feed hay.

Weather-stressed pasture grass can be problematic for a horse's health. Things to know for healthy supplementary feeding in case of problems

Stinging nettles have been known for more than 2000 years and, for example, are an indicator of kidney problems and/or laminitis when horses eat them fresh.

Autumn coat change, what minerals does my horse need now? We explain why good mineral feed, zinc and sulphur are important now.

Mineral feed matching the roughage's content is a good idea, but hard to do. Read more on why it's impossible to make work.

At some point in the summer, pasture grass looks like standing hay. Find out how to feed hard keepers in preparation for the winter.

This question is much discussed within the equestrian community. We explain how foals learn what is good and how humans can outsmart them.

The weather invites you to spend a lot of time in the stables, but the temperatures usually prevent you from doing anything too sporty - unless you can ride to the swimming lake. But of course you can organise a lot of fun and games with your horse....

It smells good and looks nice. But what's in the hay? Sanoanimal explains what hay analyses reveal and what is important for my horse.

Many assume that it's harmless to dry out stale bread and offer it to their horse as a special treat. There’s nothing bad about it, right? Especially when our equine companion enjoys it so much.

Good-quality hay, harvested properly and stored under optimal conditions — and yet, sometime between January and March, it still turns mouldy?

Here we explain what types of fibre are contained in hay, what the horse needs and how to recognise this.

Proper hay storage is very important, as spoiled, mouldy hay can lead to severe and long-lasting health issues for your horse.

Hay quality and whether it is suitable as horse feed cannot always be recognised at first glance or smell.

Many horse owners are familiar with various digestive problems, especially after the summer. Sanoanimal goes into detail and offers solutions

Are leaves unhealthy? Question: “Currently, a lot of leaves are falling from the trees onto our pastures and dry lots. Up until now, I’ve been clearing them once a week. However, I was recently told that leaves are unhealthy for horses, and I...

Feeding herbs as a supplement to the horse’s daily diet sparks more and more of an interest in equestrians.

Brewer's yeast is a popular ingredient for horse feed. But what is it supposed to be good for, and what does science say? Find out here!

Sanoanimal explains what happens during oil feeding in horses and the consequences it has for their health.

What do the facts say about haylage in horse feeding? What happens in the gut and what are the health consequences?

Many equestrians believe their horses wouldn't do well on adlib hay. We disagree! Here's all the benefits of 24/7 hay feeding.

What belongs in a mash and what are grain-free alternatives? Is mash healthy for horses in the winter?

Why is salt so important for the body? And in what way should our horses be offered salt sensibly?

4 facts, analysed in greater detail. For years, feeding carrots was as much a part of winter as black ice and cold fingers. Large sacks were collected from the feed dealer or delivered directly, and a few kilos per day per horse were (and still...

Top 5 Winter Feeding Mistakes - Learn more about feeding horses during the cold season and how to avoid common errors.

What effect does sainfoin have on my horse's iodine requirements? An explanation of the relationship between sainfoin, thyroid and iodine.

Even if the grass is still growing in the pasture after the summer, it is stressed by excessive grazing and drought. Important info on autumn grazing ►

Does concentrated feed really provide power? Or can it harm my horse as well? For most horse owners, feeding concentrated feed in the form of muesli, pellets or grain is a natural part of the diet. Only very few people question the purpose of...