What are the basics of feeding a horse?

Roughage (hay) is the base, many small meals beat few large ones, water must be permanently available, avoid abrupt changes, never give anything without owner instruction.

In what order to feed?

Hay first, then concentrate (oats, mash). Concentrate before hay worsens digestion.

Can the sharer give treats?

Only within the frame agreed with the owner. Some horses have allergies or special diets.

How much water per day?

20 to 50 liters depending on size, work and weather. More in summer and intensive work.

What never to feed a horse?

Moldy hay, fresh lawn clippings, bread, many garden plants (tomatoes, potatoes, avocado), industrial sweets. The owner has the exact list.

Guide

Horse feeding basics for the sharer

2 min read

Feeding seems simple but is one of the most friction-prone topics in horse shares. Knowing the basics and respecting the owner's instructions avoids typical mistakes. This guide shows the key points for the sharer without intervening in a concrete plan.

Basic rule: horses are continuous grazers

Unlike humans or dogs, horses aren't meal animals. Their digestive system is designed for permanent small roughage quantities, not few large meals.

Few large concentrate quantities overload the stomach, can cause ulcers and colic.
Long gaps without roughage are unhealthy. Acid production continues without buffer.
Multiple small meals through the day are ideal. Many Swiss boardings use slow hay nets or racks.

FSVO emphasizes the importance of permanent roughage availability.

Order: hay first, then concentrate

Swiss practice rule: hay first, then concentrate.

Hay first calms the digestive tract and slows later concentrate absorption.
Concentrate first is digested too fast, horse becomes hungry and stressed.
No long wait between needed but hay portion starts before concentrate.

Exact execution (quantities, timing) remains with owner and professional.

Water is the most important component

More than any component, water availability decides health.

20 to 50 liters per day depending on size, work, weather.
Summer and intensive work: Noticeably more, sometimes double.
Winter: Critical because frozen troughs lead to digestive trouble.
Clean trough: Weekly, immediately on dirty.
Permanent availability.

Sharer checks the trough every visit. Empty or dirty: refill or clean immediately.

What the sharer may do feeding

Common tasks always per owner instruction:

Lay out hay or fill net.
Check and refill water troughs.
Add concentrate. Only if explicitly agreed with clear quantities.
Prepare mash. If standard.
Give treats. Within permitted frame.

What the sharer never does

Never feed your own food. Not even an organic carrot without agreement.
Never change quantities. If owner prescribes 1 L oats, give 1 L.
Never introduce new components. Not even "just to try".
Never feed spoiled hay or straw.
Never make feeding diagnoses.
Never feed other owners' horses.

Observations to report

Change in hay or concentrate intake.
Drinking behavior.
Feeding behavior. Aggression, apathy.
Manure consistency.
Choking or swallowing difficulty. Call vet immediately.
Manure changes.

Report to owner same day.

Swiss practice: hay quality and rhythm

Hay from trusted supplier. Reduces ragwort risk.
Respect stable rhythm. Set feeding times.
Quantity estimation. Rule of thumb 1.5 to 2 % of body weight roughage daily, exact amounts by professional.

Frequently asked questions

Basics of feeding? Roughage base, many small meals, permanent water, no abrupt changes, no own feeding.

Order? Hay before concentrate.

Treats? Only within agreed frame.

Water per day? 20-50 L, more in summer.

Never feed? Moldy hay, lawn clippings, bread, many garden plants, sweets.

Sources

Track feeding observations in HorseCompanion

Feeding behavior observations noted per horse. Start for free

Updated: June 2026