Grain concentrate recommendations stipulate feeding no more than a half-percent of body weight per individual feeding. This means feeding no more than 5.5 pounds at one time for an 1,100 pound horse. Therefore, if you are feeding more than 11 pounds of grain daily, you should divide your daily feedings into three equal feedings instead of only two. High-fat feeds have lower levels of soluble carbohydrates, and since less grain is required, that leaves more room for hay. This type of feeding program will allow a lower concentrate feeding rate, meaning less soluble carbohydrates.
Fat supplements are a more concentrated source of calories, allowing less grain, more hay.
This becomes more important as energy needs increase with greater performance demands. Digestible energy needs may be met by feeding 14 pounds of hay and nine pounds of Legends, or by feeding 16 pounds of hay, one pound of Triple Crown Rice Bran and 6.5 pounds of Legends. Finally, you might try delaying riding by four hours after feeding. Blood glucose and insulin levels peak, then return to normal ranges after about four hours. Although this may be difficult from a management aspect, if you have a particularly difficult horse, you might try it.