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Autumn Horse Feeding Guide: How to Support Your Horse as the Seasons Change
As the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, autumn brings big changes to your horse’s environment—and their nutritional needs. Late summer grass can be lush, but as temperatures dip and growth slows, the nutritional value of pasture drops. This shift can affect your horse’s energy, weight, and even their mood. Here’s how to adapt your feeding routine to keep your horse healthy, happy, and in top condition through the autumn months.
How Autumn Affects Your Horse’s Diet
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Changing Grass Quality:
After a summer of rich grazing, autumn grass often looks green but contains less energy and fewer nutrients. As growth slows, fibre content goes up and sugar levels can fluctuate, especially after cool nights and rainy spells. -
Energy and Condition:
Horses may need extra calories to maintain weight as the weather cools, especially if they’re clipped, older, or in regular work. -
Mood and Behaviour:
Sudden changes in forage quality or routine can affect your horse’s temperament. Some horses become sharper, while others may seem more sluggish.
Tips for Adjusting Your Horse’s Feed Routine
1. Monitor Body Condition Closely
Check your horse’s weight and condition every couple of weeks. Use a weight tape and feel for fat cover along the ribs, neck, and hindquarters. Adjust feed before you see a dramatic change.
Check your horse’s weight and condition every couple of weeks. Use a weight tape and feel for fat cover along the ribs, neck, and hindquarters. Adjust feed before you see a dramatic change.
2. Balance Forage and Hard Feed
- If grass is limited or quality is poor, supplement with good-quality hay or haylage.
- For horses in light work or prone to weight gain, a balancer can provide essential vitamins and minerals without extra calories.
- If your horse needs more energy, consider adding fibre-based feeds (like beet pulp or chaff) rather than jumping straight to high-starch mixes.
3. Watch for Laminitis Risks
Autumn flushes of grass can still be risky for horses prone to laminitis. Monitor sugar intake and restrict grazing if needed, especially after rain or cold nights.
Autumn flushes of grass can still be risky for horses prone to laminitis. Monitor sugar intake and restrict grazing if needed, especially after rain or cold nights.
4. Support Digestive Health
Changes in routine and diet can upset the gut. Feed plenty of fibre, make any changes gradually, and consider a digestive supplement if your horse is sensitive.
Changes in routine and diet can upset the gut. Feed plenty of fibre, make any changes gradually, and consider a digestive supplement if your horse is sensitive.
5. Don’t Forget Water and Salt
As temperatures drop, horses may drink less. Always provide fresh water and consider offering a salt lick to encourage healthy hydration.
As temperatures drop, horses may drink less. Always provide fresh water and consider offering a salt lick to encourage healthy hydration.
Never Run Out: The Benefits of Feed Subscription
Running out of feed can be stressful for you and disruptive for your horse. Our feed subscription service lets you set up regular deliveries of your chosen products—so you always have what you need, when you need it. You can adjust, pause, or cancel at any time, making it a simple way to keep your horse’s routine consistent all autumn long.
Explore Our Autumn Feeding Range
From balancers and fibre feeds to digestive supplements and haylage, our full range of horse feeds and supplements has everything you need to keep your horse healthy this season. Not sure what’s right for your horse? Get in touch for friendly advice.