How often is a feeding plan reviewed?

At least semiannually and at each life or use phase change (training, rest, pregnancy, senior, stable change).

Sharer's role in the plan?

Strictly follow owner and professional instructions. No autonomous changes.

What happens with an abrupt feeding change?

Horses often react with digestive trouble up to colic. Transitions gradual, set by professional.

Guide

Horse feeding plan template: structured documentation

2 min read

A feeding plan is more than a list of meals. It's a medical decision that must match breed, age, workload and health state. This guide gives the structural template without recommending feeds. Content is set by owner and professional.

Why stay structural

Equine nutrition is complex and individual. What suits an 8-year-old warmblood in moderate training can harm a 20-year-old senior with metabolic issue. What suits a rustic in open stable endangers a sport horse in full boarding.

No quantities, components or frequencies recommended here. GST, SVPM and nutritionists are the right contacts.

The ten template fields

Horse. Name, TVD, age, breed, height.
Creation date and next revision.
Responsible persons. Vet, nutritionist, owner.
Times. Morning, noon, evening, possibly night.
Components per meal. Set by owner or professional.
Quantities. Per component and meal.
Order. For multiple components (typically roughage first).
Water. Trough locations, maintenance interval, particularities.
Special notes. Diseases, allergies, intolerances, medication with feed.
Observation points for the sharer. What she should report.

Neutral template. Content defined exclusively by professionals.

Where the plan is posted

Box door. Laminated A4 for quick orientation.
Tack or feed room. Additional notes on current batch.
Digital for all. Owner, sharer, manager, substitute. Shared view prevents outdated printouts.
Vet practice. For medical consultations.

The sharer knows the current state and follows it. No changes without professional instruction.

Observations the sharer reports

Change in hay or concentrate intake.
Drinking. Markedly less or more.
Feeding behavior. Aggression, apathy.
Manure consistency.
Weight and BCS. Subjective changes (see BCS).

To owner same day.

Transitions and changes

Horses react sensitively to abrupt changes. Three Swiss standards:

Transition period of 7 to 14 days for component change. Increase new, decrease old gradually.
Spring grazing adaptation. From stable to pasture gradually, starting at 30 min (see Horse in summer).
Reduction at training break. Less work, less energy needed.

All transitions set by professional. Sharer follows written instruction.

Frequently asked questions

Who creates the feeding plan? Owner with vet and nutritionist.

Which fields? Horse, date, responsible person, times, components, quantities, order, water, notes, revision.

Review frequency? At least semiannually and at each phase change.

Sharer's role? Strictly follow. No autonomous changes.

Abrupt change? Often digestive trouble. Transitions gradual.

Sources

Maintain feeding plan in HorseCompanion

Feeding plan per horse managed digitally with components, quantities, order. Multiple sharers see same current state. Start for free

Updated: June 2026