Nutritional guide for horses

The schedule below offers a natural nutritional guide that provides the basis for keeping your horse fit and healthy. Download the complete step-by-step plan as a handy PDF, or follow the online nutritional guide for your horse here.

This nutritional guide is divided into 6 steps: roughage, BALANCERS , BASICS , salt , supplements and concentrates .

Do you want more advice? Then request free nutritional advice at the bottom of this page.

1 - Roughage advice

  • What roughage does my horse need?

    Does your horse or pony get enough suitable roughage for the fibers? A horse or pony needs fiber to feel satisfied and stay healthy. In an amount of at least 1.5% of its body weight in dry matter. They naturally eat even more roughage. Did you know that dietary fiber and prebiotics are the same?

    Biodiverse, well-dried roughage with different grasses and herbs is preferred and is great for good intestinal flora. Instead of roughage, other (low-energy) fiber-rich products such as alfalfa, carrots, roughage mixes, bran, soaked beet pulp, green slops or a 'light muesli' can also be given.

  • Roughage analysis

    The roughage is preferably analyzed, at least with a quick scan so that you have a good idea of ​​the amount of sugar, protein, fiber and water that your horse consumes with its roughage.

    Common roughage mistakes

    • Day and night grazing for an overweight horse
    • Young, low-structure grass for a horse with sensitive intestines
    • Coarse-stemmed hay for a senior horse
    • Soft fine hay or grass rich in sugar for frugal breeds
    • Moldy hay or silage for all horses and ponies
Roughage advice brochure

2 - Balancers

Every horse or pony needs easily absorbable minerals and possibly vitamins in the roughage, because these are generally insufficient in the roughage. Zinc, copper, selenium and vitamin E are particularly important. BALANCERS contain these important nutrients.

Equilin offers two types of BALANCERS: EquilinBALANCER and EquilinGROW. EquilinBALANCER is for horses and ponies from 3.5 years. EquilinGROW is for animals under 3.5 years of age and for pregnant and lactating mares. EquilinGROW also contains easily absorbable protein and omega 3 (DHA/EPA).

NB! BALANCERS maintain good intestinal flora. They don't correct him; that's what the BASICS do.

  • EquilinGROW 6.3 kg

    EquilinGROW 6.3 kg

    EquilinGROW 6.3 kg

    • Vitamins and minerals
    • Maintains intestinal flora
    • Supports sugar metabolism
    • Up to 3.5 years and broodmares
    €56,49
    €46,69 Excl. BTW NL
  • EquilinBALANCER 6,3 kg

    EquilinBALANCER 6,3 kg

    EquilinBALANCER 6,3 kg

    • Vitamins and minerals
    • Maintains intestinal flora
    • Supports sugar metabolism
    • From 3.5 years and up
    €56,49
    €46,69 Excl. BTW NL
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3 - Basics

BASICS, the basis of 'The New Feeding', correct the intestinal flora. As a result, the roughage is digested much better, so that the beneficial fatty acids from dietary fiber are optimally available to the horse. This beneficial energy can later be converted into fats and sugars. This is the original energy system of every horse and in many cases makes additional supplementation with energy concentrates unnecessary!

  • For good intestinal function and intestinal flora

    Equilin's BASICS provide support for good intestinal function and good intestinal flora. Improves general health, relaxes and also ensures a willing horse. In addition, BASICS contain high-quality nutrients (so-called nutraceuticals) that are not or insufficiently contained in normal horse feed.

    NB!

    The nutrients in the BASICS are not characterized as necessary in classic ration analyses. Nutrition consultants will therefore never calculate the BASICS as necessary.

    • Do not feed EquilinCOMFORT during competitions because of the herbs.
    • Do not feed EquilinIMMUNO to pregnant, lactating, acutely laminitis or seriously ill animals.
    • Preferably do not feed EquilinIMMUNO during the competition season due to detox reaction .

  • Start with BASICS

    • The BASICS is always started with a 3-week build-up dose to correct the intestinal flora and optimize the digestibility of the roughage in the appendix and large intestine.
    • Concentrates can be reduced during this period. As soon as the intestinal flora is back in balance, it can be determined whether the horse needs extra energy (courage) by giving concentrates. Extra high-quality protein may also be desirable because this is not always present in sufficient quantities in the roughage.
    • Extra or less protein and energy can also be added by (partially) feeding another batch of roughage. This is why analyzing roughage is desirable, so you know what you are feeding!
    • With the BASICS the first effect is usually noticeable on the coat, which becomes more intense in color and shines more. In the following weeks, other effects will also become noticeable in behavior, endurance and relaxation.
  • EquilinIMMUNO 6,3 kg

    EquilinIMMUNO 6,3 kg

    EquilinIMMUNO 6,3 kg

    • Contains BASIC
    • Supports the immune system
    • Cleanses the liver
    • To start 'The New Feeding Concept'
    • Detox treatment in spring and autumn
    • From 2.5 years and up
    €75,00
    €61,98 Excl. BTW NL
  • EquilinCOMFORT 6.3 kg

    EquilinCOMFORT 6.3 kg

    EquilinCOMFORT 6.3 kg

    • Contains BASIC
    • Supports proper gastric function
    • Optimizes digestion
    • Provides more relaxation
    • From 2.5 years and up
    €79,50
    €65,70 Excl. BTW NL
  • EquilinBASIC 6,3 kg

    EquilinBASIC 6,3 kg

    EquilinBASIC 6,3 kg

    • Rebalances the intestinal flora
    • Improves mood
    • Stimulates muscle use
    • Improves overall condition
    • Supports coat, hooves, and immune system
    • From 2.5 years and up
    €64,86
    €53,60 Excl. BTW NL

4 – Salt

An important point of attention! Much roughage contains too little sodium and relatively much potassium. Supplementing your salt needs is necessary because this is not included in a BALANCER (almost any brand). Sufficient salt ensures that moisture can be properly absorbed from the intestines, making the manure drier. It also ensures better recovery after physical exertion.

  • Replenishing salt

    You can supplement up to 10 grams per day (horse) with table salt, which contains +/- 40% sodium. This can simply be done through the food. If you want to give more salt, take salt without iodine or a portion of dietary salt if this is apparent from the roughage analysis.

    During heavy work, hot weather, transport or otherwise a lot of sweating or fluid loss, give extra electrolytes (salts) dissolved in water or sludge for effective and rapid absorption.

  • equilinRECOVER

    Horses need extra salt, especially when losing fluid due to hot weather, (heavy) labor, during lactation or a lot of fluid loss with manure. We have developed equilinRECOVER for this.

    RECOVER is a natural and tasty electrolyte drink that horses like to drink and optimizes fluid balance, supports resistance and accelerates recovery.
  • EquilinMAGNESIUM

    EquilinMAGNESIUM

    EquilinMAGNESIUM

    • 100% pure magnesium citrate
    • Relaxes the muscles
    • Optimizes the nervous system
    • Supports 300 bodily functions
    €42,65
    €35,25 Excl. BTW NL
  • EquilinGLUCO

    EquilinGLUCO

    EquilinGLUCO

    • Joint support
    • For smoother movement
    • For sport horses
    • For older horses
    €71,50
    €59,09 Excl. BTW NL
  • EquilinGLUCO+

    EquilinGLUCO+

    Sale

    EquilinGLUCO+

    • For older horses
    • Supports connective tissue
    • Supports the joints
    • Reduces stiffness
    €86,95 €69,56
    €57,49 Excl. BTW NL
    Sale
  • EquilinRECOVER

    EquilinRECOVER

    EquilinRECOVER

    • Warm weather
    • transportation
    • excessive sweating
    • fluid loss through feces
    €28,00
    €23,14 Excl. BTW NL

5 - Additions

For specific problems AFTER the correct diagnosis has been made, an additional supplement can certainly be helpful. There are great products on the market that can naturally support certain (organ) systems. Equilin offers extra support for flexible joints or for older animals with EquilinGLUCO. EquilinGLUCO+ relaxes the connective tissue, supports flexible joints and helps reduce stiffness in (older) horses.

  • Many supplements are already included in the BASICS

    Many supplements are unnecessary because most of the active nutrients are already in the BASICS. In addition to the BASICS, it is normally not necessary to supplement with the following substances:

    • linseed oil or other omega 3 oil
    • extra magnesium, MSM, silicon
    • vitamin E (in most cases)
    • vitamin C
    • supplements to support the muscles
    • supplements to support the intestines
    • supplements for the liver or stomach with the IMMUNO or COMFORT
    • B vitamins and biotin, which are produced by the good intestinal bacteria

  • Provide additions in consultation with an expert

    About the correct application of herbal preparations and tinctures, first contact an expert who has seen the horse or pony. You can always send us an email if you have any questions about this.

    If it doesn't help, it doesn't hurt, it almost never works!

    NB! Even if products have an effect, there is often a greater or lesser degree of burden on the liver and possibly other side effects.

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6 – Extra energy or proteins

In practice we see that usually no more than 1 to 1.5 kg of concentrates need to be given per day if the principles of 'The New Feeding' are applied.

If 'The New Feeding' is started, it is wise to reduce the concentrate as much as possible in the first weeks and only decide after 5 weeks whether and how much concentrate (energy) is still needed. If insufficient results have been achieved after 6 weeks of feeding the BASICS, there is often an underlying cause. Please contact us or your vet.

  • Quality of the roughage

    Always check with a quick scan whether the roughage being fed is appropriate. Perhaps a richer batch or more roughage can be supplemented. Or else sports muesli, senior food, or a green protein-rich slop is a possible option.

  • Concentrates are not always necessary

    Most horses and ponies obtain sufficient energy from the average roughage to perform one hour of work per day at L/M level. Provided that roughage digestion works properly and the intestinal flora is in balance.

  • The new feeding

    If you are interested in what is involved before a horse can properly digest its feed, then the book or online course THE NEW FEEDING is recommended.

    The new feeding 
Feeding advice