Understanding Horse Nutrition and Feeding Horses Correctly

Low sugar, low starch – and yet dangerous insulin spikes? Find out here why pea protein for horses with EMS, insulin dysregulation, and laminitis risk is by no means harmless.

Pasture access for horses – essential or overrated? Find out why metabolism, pasture quality, and management are more important than blanket rules.

When does a horse need electrolytes? Dr. Christina Fritz explains which horses benefit from them and why blanket recommendations are often misleading.

How are studies really conducted? A critical look at funding, study design, and the limits of scientific knowledge in horse nutrition.

Understanding hay analyses: Why laboratory values for sugar, protein, and ash vary significantly and how this affects ration calculations for horses.

Is grass seed hay a good roughage for horses? We take a look at the production and nutritional values of common varieties.

Is rice bran suitable for EMS, PSSM, or MIM horses? A critical look at production, nutritional values, and effects on the mineral balance.

All facts about rice bran oil at a glance: Omega-6, gamma-oryzanol, and potential risks for EMS horses critically evaluated – plus better alternatives.

Sensible or a feeding error? Learn more about beet pulp, mash, haylage, concentrates, year-round grazing, and forage breaks!

Is teff hay a good solution for horses with EMS & obesity? We check nutritional values, production, and pros and cons for you.

Sugar, starch, fructans & fibers affect horses very differently. Learn which carbohydrates are problematic for EMS, MIM & laminitis.

Is hay really too low in protein for horses? Explore forage intake, amino acid balance, lysine importance, and when supplementation is needed.

Learn how horses get vitamin E from pasture, when supplementation is needed, and how form and dosage can affect health and training.

Learn why high iron levels in hay do not necessarily mean iron overload in horses. Understand NRC guidelines, absorption, and the real risks.

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

Which drinker is right for your yard? Learn all about paddle-operated drinkers, float-valve systems, heated options, and frost protection in the stable.

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.

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

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

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

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?

There are a lot of plants that can enrich the botanical diversity in the stable and at the same time supplement the horses diet.

Trees and shrubs in open stables offer many advantages and serve, among other things, to keep our horses occupied and supplement their diet.

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

If you want to do something good for your pasture and your horses, you can create herb patches in the pasture to increase biodiversity.

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✓

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

Regular mowing reduces the risk of laminitis - fact or myth? ► 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✓

The grass is sprouting, and the horses are already stretching their necks under the fence to reach the green stalks. Every walk turns into pulling on the lead rope and raising the owners stress levels. The grazing season is upon us What should you...

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.

Fructans and endophytes in autumn grass can strain a horse's metabolism. Find out when the risk increases and how to prevent 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.