However, we do have control over our horse s feeding program and their overall nutritional health . Just as a car depends on a motor for energy and the ability to do work, the horse s body depends on the digestive system for the same reasons. A properly functioning digestive system processes the feed and forage consumed by the horse and converts it into nutrients through the process of fermentation. Proper fermentation is the key to maintaining a nutritionally healthy horse. We need to fuel this fermentation process to ensure efficient use of the feeds our horses consume and to maintain performance.
Water is the most important nutrient in a horse s diet.
A horse can survive much longer without food than they can water. The water provided must be clean and fresh, and consumption levels are very important. Along with water, good-quality fiber is a key ingredient in the fermentation process. Fiber is mostly in the form of long-stem hay like alfalfa or timothy, but can also be in the form of chopped or cubed hay products, shredded beet pulp, or even pasture. A nutritionally sound feeding program should have water and high quality fiber as a foundation, with vitamins, minerals, fat, and digestive aids as building blocks.