02/06/2026
It’s tempting to pile more into the feed bowl when your horse needs to gain weight - but bigger meals aren’t always better. A horse’s stomach is only about the size of a rugby ball, so large feeds can be harder to digest and less effective.
Instead, focus on small, frequent meals. Horses typically consume around 2.5-3% of their bodyweight in dry matter per day (that’s roughly 15-18kg for a 500kg horse), so balancing intake is key.
To support healthy condition without overloading the bucket, try:
• Splitting feeds into smaller meals (around 2kg or less per feed)
• Choosing nutrient dense feeds
• Adding calorie dense oils such as soya, rapeseed or flax
Small, consistent changes can make a big difference to overall condition - just remember to introduce anything new gradually.
For more nutritional advice for your Thoroughbred, get in touch with the D&H helpline team:
📞 01270 782223
📧 [email protected]
