Nutrition plays a primary role in the health, performance and longevity of our equine companions. As herbivorous animals, plant-eaters, with complex digestive systems, horses require a carefully balanced diet to meet their energy, protein, vitamin and mineral needs. Providing proper equine nutrition supports physical health, in addition to mental well-being, immunity and overall performance, especially for horses involved in competition, breeding or other demanding activities.
Understanding equine nutrition involves considering the horse’s digestive anatomy, diet, life stage, workload and health. At Vitalize®, our team is comprised of horse lovers just like you. We’re passionate about those four-legged creatures in our stables and want the very best for them. That’s why we created this resource. Together, we’ll explore the components of a healthy diet, discuss the importance of proper feeding practices, and highlight the key benefits of good equine nutrition.
Who is Vitalize?
Vitalize is a line of supplements for horses, dogs and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing. We are a renowned brand of supplements designed to enhance equine health, provide a good gut feeling and support bone, joint and soft tissue health. Vitalize products support all equine enthusiasts. From the ranch horse owner on the Western plains to the Olympic jumper, Vitalize offers products to meet the needs of every horse.
The Vitalize brand was developed by BioZyme® Inc., a global fermentation company pioneering solutions for animal nutrition and health. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates products that improve animal health and performance.
The Basics of Equine Digestive Anatomy
To understand equine nutrition, it’s essential to first understand how the horse’s digestive system works. Horses were designed to consume small amounts of feed several times a day, rather than large amounts of feed once or twice a day. Anatomically, their digestive tract is designed to accommodate forages, such as grass or hay, as opposed to grain or pellets.
The horse’s digestive system is broken into two primary components: the foregut and hindgut.
Foregut
The foregut—immediately following the esophagus—is made of the stomach and the small intestine. It is where grain can be broken down through the digestive enzymes in the stomach and further absorbed in the small intestine.
The horse’s stomach is relatively small, holding only 2-4 gallons, which is why horses are designed to graze and eat small amounts of food throughout the day. Most digestion and absorption of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals occur in the small intestine.
Most fiber, like your horse’s hay, cannot be digested by the foregut’s enzymes. This fiber is instead sent to the hindgut and processed using the body’s symbiotic microorganisms, more commonly known as the “bugs” in the gut.
Hindgut
The horse’s hindgut—succeeding the small intestine toward the back of the horse—contains the cecum and the colon. It is where the fermentation of fiber occurs. This digestion of feed in the cecum and colon by the animal’s microbes is known as hindgut fermentation. Hindgut fermentation is a vital part of your horse’s digestion and health
The large intestine, especially the cecum, houses billions of microbes that break down fibrous components of forage through fermentation. The horse hindgut fermentation process produces volatile fatty acids, a major energy source for horses.
Because of this system, horses rely heavily on fiber-rich forages, and sudden changes in diet can lead to digestive upset, including colic.
Equine Nutrition Includes Core Components
Quality equine nutrition consists of four essential components. Let’s examine them.
1. Forage (Hay & Pasture)
Forage should comprise the bulk of a horse’s diet—ideally making up at least 1.5–2% of body weight in dry matter daily. Grass, hay and other roughages provide the necessary fiber that fuels fermentation in the hindgut.
Types of forage include:
- Legume hay, like alfalfa and clover: Legume hay is higher in protein and calcium.
- Grass hay, such as timothy and bermudagrass: Grass hay is lower in protein but more balanced for most adult horses.
- Pasture: Provides fresh nutrients and encourages natural grazing behavior.
A forage-based diet for horses offers many benefits, including reducing the risk of colic and ulcers, promoting natural behavior and increasing overall health.
2. Concentrates (Grains & Pellets)
Concentrates are fed to supplement energy, particularly for horses with higher demands. Consider supplementing horses like performance horses, show horses, working horses, lactating mares or senior horses with grain or pellets. Common grains include oats, corn, and barley.
However, overfeeding grains can lead to digestive issues and obesity. Commercial feeds often combine grains with added vitamins and minerals in a more balanced formula. It’s vital to choose a feed appropriate for the horse’s workload and body condition.
3. Water
Water is the most essential nutrient for all animals. Horses require 5–15 gallons of fresh water per day depending on temperature, activity level and diet – dry hay requires more water intake. Dehydration can quickly lead to colic and other complications.
4. Vitamins & Minerals
A balanced intake of vitamins and minerals supports metabolism, bone health, immunity and performance. Horses on forage-only diets likely need supplementation, especially for trace minerals like selenium, copper and zinc and salt.
Salt blocks or loose salt should be available. Horses in hot climates and those with heavy work might benefit from electrolyte supplementation.
If you are looking for one vitamin and mineral supplement for your equine nutrition needs, consider Vitalize® Equine Vitamin & Mineral Supplement. This is a highly fortified, loose vitamin and mineral supplement for horses designed to support nutritional and digestive health. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and is fortified with organic trace minerals and high levels of vitamin E, biotin and B vitamins. Finally, this Vitalize best seller improves your horse’s bloom, giving it a healthy, shiny coat and supports optimal body condition. overall health & performance
Benefits of a Healthy Diet for Horses
Regardless of whether you are riding your horse for pleasure, competition, work or simply keeping a senior horse comfortable, equine nutrition fuels health. A well-balanced diet positively impacts nearly every aspect of a horse’s life. Let’s check some of the key benefits:
Improved Digestive Health
A high-fiber diet supports the horse’s digestive system by promoting healthy microbial populations in the hindgut. This helps prevent common issues such as:
- Colic
Colic is one of the leading causes of death in horses. Colic in horses is often triggered by inconsistent feeding practices or sudden dietary changes.
- Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers in horses are common in performance horses due to stress and irregular feeding. Frequent access to forage helps buffer stomach acid.
- Diarrhea or Constipation
Proper fiber and hydration help maintain regular bowel movements.
Healthy Body Condition & Weight Management
Balanced nutrition helps maintain ideal body weight, reducing the risks associated with being underweight or overweight. Obesity can lead to insulin resistance and laminitis, while underweight horses may suffer from weakened immunity and poor performance.
Diet management tools include:
- Measuring feed by weight, not volume.
- Monitoring body condition scores.
- Avoiding overfeeding of concentrates like grains or pellets.
Enhanced Performance & Stamina
For sport and working horses, a proper diet fuels energy needs, supports muscle development and aids recovery. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins must be balanced to optimize performance without leading to excitability or digestive upset.
- Fat supplements well balanced fat supplementation with a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 offer cool energy
- Amino acids (like lysine) support muscle repair and growth.
- Electrolytes replace minerals lost through sweat.
Vitalize® Blazin’ is more than an electrolyte that supports normal recovery from heat stress and exertion. A liquid product for horses, it promotes cellular hydration and water retention. Blazin’ contains AO-Amaferm, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and antioxidants to reduce damaging free radicals caused by exertion and heat.
Better Hoof & Coat Health
A shiny coat and strong hooves are often signs of good internal health, and equine nutrition directly influences the condition of the hooves and coat. Deficiencies in biotin, zinc or amino acids can result in brittle hooves and a dull coat.
Supplements that support skin and hoof health often include:
- Biotin
- Methionine
- Zinc and copper
- Omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed or fish oil
Several Vitalize products contain biotin, copper and zinc to promote hoof and coat health.
Stronger Immune Function
Proper intake of vitamins – including A, C, and E – and minerals – like selenium and zinc – is essential for immune health. Horses under stress, such as during travel or competition, are more susceptible to infections and may benefit from immune-supporting nutrients.
If you are looking for an equine nutrition product to keep your horse feeling and performing its best day after day, look no further than Vitalize® Alimend®. Vitalize Alimend is a liquid product for horses that supports gastric health and GI tissue, which may relieve occasional gastric issues commonly associated with training, traveling and performance.
Alimend contains beta-glucans that support the gut and immune system. Like most Vitalize products, it contains Amaferm, a research-proven prebiotic that enhances digestibility. It also contains MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid that coats the stomach and supports GI tissue integrity.
We know that 70% immune response for horses starts in the gut. Adding Alimend to your equine nutrition plan keeps the digestive system healthy, and therefore, the entire horse should stay healthy and performing.
Improved Behavior & Mental Well-Being
Feeding practices influence not just physical health but behavior, too. Horses allowed to eat frequently or graze throughout the day tend to be more relaxed and less prone to vices such as cribbing or weaving.
Sudden spikes in sugar or starch can cause hyperactivity or erratic behavior. Replacing grain-heavy diets with more fiber and fat-based energy helps promote steadier energy levels and a calmer demeanor.
Vitalize equine supplements are low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) or simple sugars and starches. While these carbohydrates can be an important part of a balanced diet, some horses may be more sensitive to them. Using low NSC formulas allows Vitalize products to be used safely across many different horses and ponies.
Longevity & Quality of Life
Good nutrition contributes to a longer, healthier life. Senior horses can thrive well into their 20s and 30s with the right diet, including easy-to-chew feeds, joint support and immune-boosting nutrients.
Preventive care through nutrition can reduce veterinary costs and improve the horse’s comfort and happiness throughout its life.
Of course, Vitalize offers a joint support supplement in our suite of equine nutrition products. Vitalize® Hyaluronex® Joint is a liquid product for horses designed to support sustainable soundness using hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. Our Vitalize Joint contains MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. It supports bone, joint and soft tissue health and helps maintain a normal inflammatory response and support normal exercise recovery.
Tailor Equine Diets to Individual Horses
Every horse is unique. They have an individual set of needs, and diets should be adjusted accordingly based on:
- Age: Foals, adult horses and senior horses have different nutritional needs. Older horses may need softer feeds and extra support for joint and digestive health.
- Activity level: Performance horses need more energy and protein than leisure or retired horses.
- Breed and size: Metabolic rate and susceptibility to certain conditions can vary.
- Health status: Horses with conditions such as insulin resistance, laminitis, or ulcers require specialized feeding strategies.
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a helpful tool in assessing whether a horse is underweight, overweight or an ideal weight.
Avoid these Common Equine Feeding Mistakes
Even well-meaning horse owners can make dietary mistakes. Mistakes happen to the best of us, but the best mistakes are the ones we can learn from and not repeat. Some common horse feeding errors include:
- Feeding by volume rather than weight: Hay and grain vary in density. Always weigh feed for accuracy.
- Overfeeding concentrates: Too much grain can disrupt digestion and lead to colic or laminitis.
- Sudden dietary changes: Changes should be made gradually over 7–10 days.
- Ignoring salt needs: Horses lose salt through sweat and require consistent access to a salt source.
- Neglecting pasture quality: Poor pasture may lack nutrients or contain toxic weeds.
- Inadequate dental care: Horses with dental problems may be unable to properly chew forage, leading to poor digestion.
More About Vitalize
Vitalize is a line of supplements for horses, dogs and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing. We are a renowned brand of supplements designed to enhance equine health, provide a good gut feeling and support bone, joint and soft tissue health.
BioZyme Inc., a global fermentation company pioneering solutions in animal nutrition and health, developed the Vitalize line. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates powerful solutions that improve animal performance. With a continued commitment to excellence, the BioZyme Stockyards location earned the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs 2024 Feed Facility of the Year honor.
Furthermore, you can trust safe, accurate products for your horse. Equine supplements from Vitalize are made in the U.S.A. and meet five quality standards.
- BioZyme is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), and its Vitalize products carry the NASC Quality Seal on products specifically designed for the equine and companion animal health markets.
- Vitalize products contain ingredients that are backed by research as well as multiple U.S. patents.
- Vitalize utilizes an ionophore-free closed production system. BioZyme has taken great care to ensure that our Vitalize products are safely made and have no risk of ionophore contamination.
- Vitalize equine supplements are low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), or simple sugars and starches. While these carbohydrates can be an important part of a balanced diet, some horses may be more sensitive to them.
- Several Vitalize equine supplements are Clean Sport tested and approved, including Vitalize® Hyaluronex® Joint! Our testing meets or exceeds the rigorous guidelines set by the United States Equestrian Federation, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, and International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Vitalize Can Help!
We’ve mentioned just a few of our Vitalize products. We hope you will check out all of the products that Vitalize offers, from a protein pellet and our quick-acting gel to our prebiotic horse treats and more!
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