Providing your horse with a forage-first diet is the most effective method for enhancing their overall health and welfare, closely mimicking the natural grazing habits of horses. Emphasizing forage promotes digestive efficiency, supports metabolic function, assists with weight management, and satisfies natural behavioral tendencies.

Forage is composed of fiber-rich plant materials, including grasses, legumes, and hay. In contrast to grain-based feeds, which are often elevated in sugars and starches, forages offer a consistent, slow-releasing energy source that aligns with a horse’s digestive system. Selecting the right type, quantity, and quality of forage is essential for a successful forage-oriented diet. We focus primarily on hay intake to provide essential Dry Matter but other options such as pasture grass, or fermented forage alternatives can be utilised depending on your horse’s needs.

The aim of a forage first diet is to maximise forage consumption while minimizing the usage of concentrated feeds. This type of feeding is ideal for your horse’s digestive health enhancing both foregut and hindgut function.

When compared to high grain diets, forage based diets generally contain lower levels of sugars and starches. Rather than depending on these sugars and starches for calories, energy is sourced from fiber, which more accurately reflects the diet of wild horses. For equines suffering from metabolic issues, it is crucial to maintain Starch below 4% and Soluble Sugars and Starch below 10% combined, to help prevent laminitis.

A forage-focused feeding strategy provides many advantages for horses, such as:

• Encouraging continuous foraging, resulting in steadier feed intake and less time between meals
• Lowering the likelihood of gastric ulcers linked to sporadic grain feeding
• Mitigating the chance of digestive and metabolic complications tied to high grain diets
• Enhancing mental well-being and lowering the risk of stereotypic behaviors by promoting natural grazing activities

Dietary emphasis on forage tends to be more economical than those that rely heavily on significant quantities of commercial grains or complete commercial premixed feeds.

While forage is typically sufficient to meet the energy and protein needs of most horses, the majority of hays do not provide adequate amounts of key nutrients, such as: Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Vitamin E & Essential Fatty Acids.

Pasture grass is a better source of vitamins, protein and energy than hay, but nutrient levels and quality in pasture are variable throughout the year and may well exceed or fall short of your horses basic nutrient needs. When it falls short it will need supplementing, and when it is in excess may require grass management depending on how an individual horse reacts and copes with it.

Some higher nuritional need horses such as heavy work, breeding or elderly require additional energy in their diet to meet caloric needs. After maximizing forage intake and balancing the diet to provide adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals, you may need to add more energy-dense feeds and forages to supply required calories. More on this in depth in the What & When to feed more resoure below.

An excellent calorie source for horses that are low in sugar and starch content is flaxseed/linseed.

Many horse owners do not fully appreciate or understand the significance of providing adequate salt to their equines diet. In terms of cost to benefit ratio, it would be hard to think of another nutrient with such a low cost and so easily supplied, that provides the benefits that salt does.

Sodium Chloride belongs in a group of minerals called electrolytes. An electrolyte is any mineral present in the body in an unbound (not attached to protein), ionized form. An Ion is a free mineral carrying an electrical charge. A Cation is an Ion with a positive charge (Na+ Sodium) and an Anion is an Ion with a negative charge (Cl- Chloride). The two most abundant ions circulating in the blood and in fluid around cells is the cation Sodium Na+ and a close second, the anion Chloride Cl-.

Sodium is essential for absorption of many nutrients, as well as their entry into cells; normal functioning of all nerve and muscle tissue. It is also the major regulator of water balance in tissues and is what triggers the thirst mechanism in the brain, which also regulates the amount of sodium and water excreted in urine.

Equine diets are naturally low in sodium especially if eating primarily forage. Sodium in required amounts should be provided by feeding salt - sodium chloride. Salt contains 40% sodium & 60% Chloride.

Some signs of salt deficiency can include abnormal licking of soil or other objects, anorexia, lethargy, unsteady gait or loss of skin vitality.

When it comes to sodium, you are better off providing a little too much than a little too little. As long as horse has free access to clean fresh drinking water, extra sodium is easily excreted in the urine. As little as 2-3% dehydration can lead to a 10% drop in performance. However, excessive intakes need to be avoided also.

A 500kg horse at maintenance - no exercise, no sweating - needs 10 grams of sodium which is provided in 25g of plain salt. The sodium requirements of horses in moderate to heavy work are estimated to be twice as high, this does not include even higher sweat rates in super hot weather or climates.

Many horse owners rely on a salt block for their horse’s supply of salt, but there are some disadvantages to offering only a salt block to your horse for its salt requirements. It’s better than nothing, but it is not the recommended mode nor most effecient way of supplementation.

For one, salt blocks were originally designed for the rough tongues of cattle, who can easily lick a salt block and get the salt that they need. On the other hand, horses have softer tongues which make it hard to get their needed intake. If your horse starts biting on the block, it could be a sign that it is not getting enough salt from licking the block alone, so you may want to look at providing salt in other ways.

It has been observed that salt intake is higher when given to horses in a loose form compared to block form, due to the ease of consumption. If a free-choice loose salt feeder won’t work for your situation, providing a regular, white salt block will provide sufficient salt intake along with your horse’s maintenance requirement of salt added to your horse’s daily hard feed.

Chloride Cl- information isn't as prolific as Sodium. The chloride content of the blood and extracellular fluids plays a key role in acid base balance, but chloride does much more than just this. Chloride is secreted as stomach acid, hydrochloric acid. Chloride channels on cells are involved in a lot of reactions that involve maintaining normal pH, fluid volume and electrical conductivity of cells. These anion channels are every bit as important as the cation channels and pumps.

A 500kg horse at maintenance - no exercise, no sweating - needs 40 grams of chloride. The chloride content of forage is higher than that of sodium and tends to increase the more mature the forage. A horse on a high forage diet can come close to, or meet the daily chloride requirement. Together with the minimum maintenance level of 25g of salt being added, which provides 15g Chloride. Grains, seed meals, hulls and brans provide significantly less chloride than forage does.

Unlike sodium needs, Chloride needs for horses at maintenance or light work are likely being met by a combination of chloride in the forage and the chloride in salt being fed for Sodium. Performance hores with high sweat losses and/or high concentrate diets may not be having their needs met.

Horses appear to have some innate ability to gauge their own salt requirements. The brain detects sodium levels in the blood and maintains normal fluid and sodium levels by secreting hormones and triggering the horse to either drink or eat salt. Salt is the only true mineral appetite the horse has.

Horses that have been receiving inadequate salt for a prolonged period, often reach a state where blood volume and blood sodium levels are maintained at the expense of the tissue sodium and fluid. Because blood sodium levels are normal, their brain will not trigger the normal urge to drink or eat more salt even though the horse is chronically dehydrated on a body-wide basis.

No need to source fancy himalayan or ancient seabed salt. Feeding simple plain fine non iodised ag salt that can be purchased in bulk from the feed store for around $16. Salt doesn't like moisture so it is recommended to store the 20kg bag of salt into a large bucket with a lid.

To ensure over the minimum sodium and chloride needs are met, we recommend feeding salt at 10g per 100kg daily in your horses hard feed. A 500kg horse would require 10g x 5 (100kg) = 50g salt - roughly x2 tablespoons. This will account for general day to day movement, running around paddock and sweat loss involved.

Both omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids. Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat in the horse’s body, as well as the fat in the food that horses eat. EFA’s are essential because the horse’s body can’t make them, and the body needs them – both of them. Most important of the omega-3 family are EPA, DHA, and ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid). EPA and DHA are found almost exclusively in fish, whilst ALA is found predominantly in leafy plants and flaxseed. The primary source of omega-6 in the diet is LA (linolenic acid), which comes from the oils of seeds and grains such as corn, sunflower, soya. Horses diets typically are top heavy in Omega 6 as these feature abundantly in their diets especially if feeding processed premixed feeds.

The balance between the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is important, but no one is sure on the exact ratios needed just that more omega-3 than omega-6 is desirable for optimum health. Omega-6s aren’t all bad and do play important roles in the body because some inflammation is needed for healing. However, when omega-6 overpowers omega-3 this can create a catalyst for excessive inflammation, explained in a very simplistic form.

EFA’s are a source of energy. It also is suggested that it may help with: Energy needs, Joint movement and arthritis, skin, coat and hoof quality, reproductive health, allergy & immune conditions, exercise recovery and muscle health, eye health, endocrine, respiratory & neurological issues. For specific serious inflammatory issues, look to an EPA & DHA source.

Fresh grass is a source of EFA's. Most horses do not eat enough to meet their daily needs. Any omega-3 content in hay is rapidly lost after baling. This makes the hay-based diet very high in omega-6, added to with the use of grains (corn, oats etc) and vegetable oils (Soya, Sunflower, Canola, Rice Bran etc).

Horses are herbivores so do not naturally ever eat DHA or EPA, the active forms of omega-3 found in fish oil. The best plant sources of omega-3 are flax/linseed and chia seeds which have very similar profiles to grass.

Flaxseed/Linseed contain protein necessary for tissue building and repair which contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and bone normality. It also has high levels of dietary fibre both soluble and insoluble. In addition the oil component provides the Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3, ALA) and Linoleic Acid (Omega 6, LA) in balanced ratios suitable for equine needs. Linseed has a very similar omega profile to that of grass, which is the most ideal source of omegas. However most horses don't have access to good quality grass OR can not be fed large amounts of good quality grass. Linseed also has a very low sugar and starch profile which is suited for not only all horses but specifically metabolic ones - and is a recommended feed by the ecirhorse.org group.

HHIO recommends one of the following 3 options:

Fresh Crushed Linseed

Flaxseed (linseed) is also an ideal form of protein for horses. Whole flaxseed is around 30% fat and 25% protein. They are a source of soluble fibre, low in starch and sugars and are higher in phosphorus, which helps balance calcium in lucerne or grass hays.

Omega supplementation - 20g per 100kg

Weight gain/calories/protein - up to 100g per 100kg

OR

Flax Flake, Meal or Pellets

Flakes, pellets and meals are the by-product of making flaxseed oil. They have a lower fat and omega 3 profile than both oil and seeds, still a great fibre source and higher protein source. They are fed at higher rates than fresh crushed linseed.

Omega supplementation - 60g per 100kg

Weight gain with more protein - up to 150g per 100kg

OR

Cold-pressed food grade Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil gives more calories and omega-3 per serve than both above and is a concentrated source of energy. While seeds offer a range of nutrients including fat, omega’s, fibre, protein, minerals and less calories per serve compared to oil.

Omega supplementation - 10ml per 100kg

Weight gain/calories/protein - as needed

Note: Metabolic horses and older horses in general can not process high levels of fat - stick to the omega supplementation levels and utilise other feed ingredient recommendations if weight gain or condition needed.

Our top tips around omega 3 supplementation

Our recommendation is feeding whole linseed fresh crushed, as omega 3 deteriorates once exposed to oxygen (air) and sunlight. Boiling linseeds also destroys the omega 3 content. You can crush a weeks worth at a time and place in a zip lock bag into the freezer, but no longer.

If you aren't able to or are not prepared to fresh crush, then suggest to use pre crushed linseed together with cold pressed flaxseed (good quality human grade) so you still get the benefits of all 4 nutrients or using a flax pellet/flake product and feed higher levels. It still has a good protein, fibre, phosphorus profile but a lower omega 3 level than fresh crushed - why need to feed at higher levels.

You can also feed chia which has a similar profile. A very small number of horses do not respond well to linseed. If feeding Chia - feed at double the suggested linseed rates below.

Fresh crushing is the most economical way and gaurantees the nutrient level is the freshest and highest.

Whole linseed/Flaxseed Typical Analysis On DM:

CP 22.5%

Fibre 9.9%

Fat 37.6%

Starch 6%

Total Sugars 2.9%

Energy 27 MJ/kg

Phosphorus 6.3g per kg

Calcium 3g per kg

Omega 3 53.8%

Omega 9 20.2%

Omega 6 14.7%

Vitamin E 3.4mg/kg

Analysis from feedtables source. Subject to indvidual product.

Save with a bulk 25kg whole linseed bag:

Most horse feed stores have - make sure it is whole linseed and not precrushed. PGG wrightsons and Farmlands are usually able to source if they don't stock already. Bay of Plenty - Rotorua Farmlands stock and will continue to do so if demand is there. They are able transfer to other stores so be sure to check that option with the staff of your store.

Other known places to stock whole linseed:

Feed central cambridge - Linseed – FEED CENTRAL

Real Food Direct - Linseed Whole – Real Food Direct

Seeds & Cereals - LINSEED/FLAXSEED – Seeds & Cereals (2000) Ltd (seedscereals.co.nz)

Davis trading - Davis Food Ingredients | Davis Food Ingredients | New Zealand's Leading Food Importer and Distributor

Tauranga EQ72 - WHOLE LINSEED (20KG) – EQ72

This product should be stored in a cool and dry place out of direct sunlight. Store at less than 20°C, in a cool, dry and pest free environment.

Most horses thrive on our recommended feed regime. This entails providing the important base forage and fibre needs together with the mineral and omegas balancing across the entire diet and lastly removing potentially problematic ingredients.

How much your horse thrives on this base regime can depend on two factors. One relating to protein and energy levels being consumed in the forage and the base hardfeed and secondly the more demanding nutritional needs for horses in heavy work, elderly or breeding. The nutritional needs of most pleasure domestic horses with average to no work load are met from forage and our feed regime. Any shortfalls in commonly lacking minerals and essential and/or limiting amino acids (protein) are provided by both our mineral formulas.

Depending on the individual analysis of specific forages vs. higher nutritional needs can create the need to supply a higher energy or protein source. The harder a horse works the more likely it is to need a concentrated calorie source and high glycogen supplies to build reserves in the muscles and liver. Even when holding weight and muscling well on hay and grass-only diets, endurance, stamina and speed may suffer without the inclusion of some type of more concentrated carbohydrate source.  

Protein is required for almost every physiological function including muscle contraction, neural communication, metabolism of sugars and fats, immune responses and more. Low protein or amino acid levels in the diet can cause a broad range of symptoms in horses including:

• Loss of muscle mass including topline
• Poor growth
• Slow recovery from illness
• Poor performance
• Rough coat
• Weak hooves
• Early pregnancy loss
• Impaired immunity
• Poor wound healing

These signs are not linked solely to a protein deficiency and can also occur when energy needs are not met or with vitamin and mineral deficiencies (addressed with our formulas). A diet evaluation complete with a hay/pasture analysis is the best way to determine whether your horse is getting adequate amino acids from their feeding program.

Many horse owners often say, ‘My horse needs more energy?’ or ‘My horse doesn't have much energy as their workload increases’. Whilst low energy in the diet can be an underlying reason, other areas also need consideration first Horses that carry excess weight may tend to be less active, and those that lack adequate exercise are likely not in peak condition. Just like humans, horses sometimes require a break to recharge their batteries or their workload considered. Not unsimilar to protein, the energy needs of most horses in no to moderate work are met with grass and most hay.

Older horses can have issues with weight primarily because of inadequate chewing of their forage which is the number one cause of poor protein utilization. It is the exposing of the protein to digestive enzymes by thoroughly chewing, being the biggest factor in its digestibility. Hay is harder for oldies to eat and digest than grass. Ensuring there is a highly digestible protein source is important. This is where HHIO Restore helps our oldies alongside one of our mineral formulas, as it provides essential amino acids, ensuring the synthesation of utilisable protein. It is also where we would consider using a fermented product esepcially lucerne.

If you need to provide additional protein and/or energy we recommend to look for quality options that are lower in sugar and starch. Higher sugar and starch options can upset the delicate digestive balance and/or can create undesirable behaviour. The higher starch options are grains such as Barley, Maize, Wheat and Oats. It is starch that causes the “heating” effect, as it is broken down rapidly into glycogen and then glucose. These sugars are absorbed very quickly, giving the horse a rush of energy. Maize and Wheat are on our avoids list for several reasons. Oats being lower in starch than Barley - can be an option - for horses in heavy work and fed in small quantities.

'Safer' lower starch/sugar options to choose from in order to provide higher energy and/or protein needs for your individual horse include:

Flaxseed/Linseed

100g fresh crushed linseed which is a recommended inclusion in our base feed, provides 22g of Protein and 2.7Mj (27Mj/kg). Simply increasing this to 400g provides 90g extra Protein and 8.1Mj extra energy.

100g of Flax Flake/Meal provides 35.4g Protein and 2.1Mj (20.9Mj kg). By increasing this to 400g provides 105g more protein and 6.3Mj extra energy.

The linseed/flaxseed options are the most viable for metabolic, laminitic prone, grass affected prone or horses that get hot.

100ml Cold Pressed Flaxseed oil provides 80 Mj of energy only. A good option if you need the dense calorie needs without the extra protein.

Metabolic and Older horses dont benefit from high levels of fat in the diet.

Lucerne

500g lucerne chaff provides 91.5g Protein and 9 Mj of energy. By adding a slab of lucerne hay at 1kg approx - you will provide 183g extra protein and 18Mj of energy.

Not suited to all horses, however commonly we discover that once minerals and diet are cleaned up lucerne can be reintroduced without problems where previously it was problematic.

Rice Bran

500g Rice Bran provides 71g Protein and 10.5Mj of energy.

Rice Bran has a high phosphorus profile that needs balancing to calcium - best match is fed with Lucerne.

Lupins

500g Lupins provides 189.5g Protein and 10.6Mj of energy. They are also higher in fibre at 13.9%.

They are very high protein and a higher starch profile and may not be suitable for all horses. Best to avoid if you have horses prone to grass issues, with grass in their diet. Remember extruded form usually contains poly-unsaturated oils (vegetables, canola/rapeseed, rice bran, sunflower, soya) which we aim to avoid. Extruded also means more easily utilised = higher energy. Use plain lupins or micronised lupins.

Timothy Pellets

250g of timothy pellets provide 22.8g protein and 4.5 Mj of energy. They are also a high fibre option at 35.6%.

Great option for the easy keepers, metabolic, laminitic and grass affected horses.

Oats

250g Oats provide 27.5g protein and 4.9Mj energy.

Many horse owners hesitate to include oats in their horses' diets due to concerns about excessive energy levels. This reaction can indeed occur if oats are given in isolation and in large amounts. However, when they are balanced according to the level of exercise, oats can be a safe addition to our suggested feeding regimen.

While the majority of horses tolerate oats well, there are instances where certain individuals may display heightened excitement. This response is equally likely with maize and barley, both of which have a higher energy content compared to oats.

Incorporating oats immediately post-exercise can serve as an effective source of quick-release glycogen. To enhance muscle performance and endurance, consider glycogen loading after moderate-heavy work. Glycogen, the stored form of glucose, is vital for energizing all cells within the body. It is accumulated in both muscle tissues and the liver, and levels can be replenished after physical activity. Insufficient protein, sodium, or glycogen may lead to symptoms such as lethargy, low stamina, and underdeveloped muscles.

It is not recommended to feed oats to overweight, metabolic or laminitic equines.

Sometimes it can be tricky sourcing horse feed especially in more remote locations. Here are a couple of options of larger brand names that we use successfully and recommend as they adhere to or can be worked around with our feeding principles.

Hekeao Feed Company

Gastro Fuel Mash

Lucerne or TImothy pellets

Gastro Fuel is higher protein and starch so may not be suited to all horses.

Coprice

Coprice High Joule

Prydes

Prydes EasiFeed EasiFibre

Does contain Canola, Omega 3 source needs to be feed to balance the higher omega 6 levels in canola.

After 3 months of being on HHIO formulas and recommended feed protocol you would expect to see improvements in topline and condition if that were an issue to begin with. Please refer to the What & When to feed 'extra' resource to the left as your first port of call. If you are still experiencing difficulties with putting condition on a horse - in our experience there is an underlying reason for this.

The first step is to explore the following:

·Rule out medical and environmental causes of weight loss or failure to gain weight

Gastric Ulcers**

(this is high at the top of the list and especially if not eating hard feed and/or hay well)

Parasites & resistance

Poor dental health/age

Pain - hoof, saddle, structural and soft tissue

Toxities - heavy metals

Diseases - PPID/Cushings

Environmental stress - feeling of safety, security and comfort

Emotional aspects - past trauma

Address the nutritional aspect if you have not already done utilising our feed protocol. Aim to remove all potentially inflammatory and/or excessive feeds or ingredients as follows:

-grains (wheat, maize & barley)

-remove all soy from the diet

-if feeding Beet - stop feeding for approx 2 months and monitor

-poly-unsaturated oils (vegetables, canola/rapeseed, rice bran, sunflower, soya)

-excess salt (Leave a bucket of loose salt in paddock to self regulate)

-sugar additives (don’t forget sugar has many names)

-remove excess Iron, Manganese, Potassium from the diet.

-Increase Zinc & Copper levels

-Feed a minimum of 1.7% of body weight in dry feed (pasture, hay, chaff and hard feed). Often horses are not getting their simple nutritional needs such as fibre and protein requirements meet.

-Insufficient roughage to generate heat to stay warm causes the body to shiver away fat storage. A healthy horse at maintenance should be fed 1.7% of their ideal body weight per day in roughage, thats 8.5kg of good quality hay for a 500kg horse. A horse that needs to put weight on should be around 2%-3% subject to individual - which is 10-15kg of good quality hay. That can be a lot of hay - this is where fermented fibre can be utlisied to increase energy and calorie needs whilst reducing the overall amount fed.

-Covering in winter is helpful, ensuring that the horse does not over or under heat in cover. Alternatively an area where they can get out of wind and rain to shelter adequately if you are not able to change or monitor covers regularly. If this is not an option, a cover without an attached neck (especially the synthetic versions) is helpful in not allowing a horse to over heat which is really stressful to a horse, or alternatively go for canvas that is more breathable.

-Checking protein and/or energy needs are being met. Testing hay and/or pasture is recommended here.

Particular attention should be paid to the liver and kidney health in horses that struggle to put weight on. The liver plays a key role in digestive health, metabolism, and cleansing the blood from toxins. Any disruption in its function could contribute to weight loss. This vital organ contributes to health in a variety of ways:

-Production of bile. The horse relies on bile to start fat digestion. Bile also aids in detoxification.

-Fat metabolism. Fat is processed in the liver to make it useful to the body’s tissues.

-Synthesis of blood proteins. These are necessary for water balance, as well as for transporting minerals to tissues.

-Storage of nutrients. These include the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) as well as B vitamins, minerals, and glycogen (storage form of glucose).

Older horses can have issues with weight primarily because of inadequate chewing of their forage which is the number one cause of poor protein utilization, which is essential for building quality muscle. It is the exposing of the protein to digestive enzymes by thoroughly chewing, being the biggest factor in its digestibility. Hay is harder for oldies to eat and digest than grass. Ensuring there is a highly digestible protein source is important.

Most horses adapt to a whole plain feed diet with our concentrated mineral formulations without fuss. However horses can be horses and especially if they are used to eating sweetened premix feeds and supplements, it can be a more challenging journey to make the change.

Horses may need time to adjust to new tastes, just like the human version of reducing or removing salty and sugary food can take time and perseverance. Let’s face it, minerals don’t taste nice! Why fillers, flavours and sweeteners are used in the first instance. Our formulations are packed into the smallest dose and are very concentrated with as little filler/flavours, if any, which means a little goes a long way. It allows the opportunity to supplement macros minerals calcium & phosphorus and sodium more economically seperately than us adding it to the formula and you paying more. If you crack open a vitamin/mineral capsule spread it on some dry toast and try to eat that, you will have a new found appreciation of what you are trying to get your horse to eat!

If you are blessed with a fussier equine - take the time it may need by switching to a non-inflammatory, minerally balanced diet - your horse will thank you for it!

The most common pitfalls found that a horse won’t eat a formulation is:

-Feeding with only a handful of chaff (this is the top reason)

-Not feeding to the recommended base feed outlined in the feed protocol. These suggested levels are recommended based off hundreds of positive results for typical palatability acceptance. (You don't buy half the cake ingredients and expect to have the same outcome as if you used all the ingredients recommended in the recipe)  

-Introduced too fast and too much

-Chopping and changing too often

-Not fed with enough base carrier feed to taste tolerance (i.e. the dilution is too strong)

-Too much of a change in hard feed too fast

-Too much grass/other feed available at the time of hardfeeding

Top tips for introducing to fussy/picky horses

Patience!! Don’t Stress!! Remove all expectations!!

Of course we want the best for our horses, but in the big scheme our horses won’t be harmed if it takes a few weeks to get the minerals up to full dose.

Gradually change over the old feeds to the new feeds, especially if using premixed feeds and have feed left to use up. It will be okay if horse is getting some premixed feed alongside the HHIO minerals for a temporary short duration. A good plan is over the course of 1-3 weeks depending on horse and addiction to old feed taste to introduce as follows:

Old Feed vs New Feed/Supplement

75 vs 25

50 vs 50

25 vs 75

100

If you aren’t gradually changing over and wish to change feed straight away usually because people have run out of the old feed - introduce the minerals over a period of a week – for the fussier it may take 2-3 weeks. Start with a teaspoon, and gradually increase every couple of days. If resistance is met, go back to the measure that was acceptable or increase dilution rate and so forth.

If your horse accepts it straight away go right ahead and feed at recommended rates.

Feed with a base carrier – Copra, Chaff & omega 3 source is a good starting point. ½ -1 cup Copra max per day. Copra & Lucerne in particular is a great mix, if your horse is tolerant of Lucerne.

Adding of one of the recommended "extra calories/protein" HHIO recommendations are usually a great tempter. A handful for the horses that don’t really need, and more for those that do. You can eventually wean the horse off these once eating readily.

Making sure the feed is damp enough and the powder is well mixed into the feed and sticking to the feed and not sitting in the bottom of the feed bucket.

Feeding a B vitamin supplement can help stimulate appetite such as HHIO Support.

For those not wanting to add extra calories but tempt them to eat it - a cup of hot/cold Spearmint, Peppermint, Meadowsweet or Rosehip tea poured over the feed and mixed into a mash can be a helpful tempter. Eventually wean off if desired.

Some other tempter options are: Beetroot powder, Fenugreek, Carrot powder or Anise seed powder can be sprinkled over the feed. Some experimenting may be required to find a couple that your horse loves. You can continue to use, or wean off as desired.

Some horses love their grass so much, especially if getting a break of grass at the same time as hard fed. We find this issue alot coming out of winter when grass is more readily avialable. Try feeding the feed before a new grass break is given, as they tend to be a little more motivated to eat their hard feed.

Lastly be consistent. Constantly changing the feed with adding this, adding that, taking that out and so on, doesn’t give the horse a chance to learn to eat it as its constantly changing. Keep it simple.

If the horse has a history of being fussy or not eating the hardfeed in full, and especially if not eating hay either, check the following:

Remove salt from their feed and see if they will eat feed then. If they do this can be a sign something isn’t right (think ulcer/cut/injury in mouth, gastric ulcers)

Regular dental checks and floats by qualified Equine dentist

Regular chiropractic checks by qualified Equine Chiropractor – restrictions in spine do cause internal organ issues especially relating to digestion

Check ulcer check points - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr05hMmLCY4

Involve vet for ulcer treatment if check points above positive/reactive

Especially if an older horse, do a PPID screening as PPID can effect appetite.

Keeping a consistent feeding schedule can also facilitate a smoother transition. Horses thrive on routine, so by establishing regular feeding times, you can help mitigate any anxiety associated with changes in their diet.

If this is an ongoing issue documenting your horse's feeding behavior and preferences throughout the transition period, as this information can be invaluable for identifying patterns and adjusting your approach accordingly.

Remember, the ultimate goal is to foster a positive experience that encourages your horse to embrace their new dietary regime.