As spring approaches, you may notice an increase in your horse’s activity level. This is the perfect opportunity to make changes to your horse’s diet in order to optimize his performance and improve his health. Here are a few diet and feeding considerations for transitioning your horse from winter to spring.

Increase Caloric Intake
As the weather warms up and your horse begins exercising more frequently, it’s important to adjust his caloric intake accordingly. The increased workload can put extra stress on the body, so make sure that you provide adequate fuel to give him the energy he needs. If you’re unsure of how much more feed he should be getting, consult with a professional nutritionist or veterinarian who can help you create a customized plan for your horse’s nutritional needs.

Add Fresh Hay or Forage
Hay and forage should always be a part of your horse’s diet, but it can become even more important during this time of year when he is expending more energy. There is no need to drastically change his feed routine here; just supplement with some fresh hay or forage throughout the day as needed. This will give them something to munch on while they rest between workouts and allow them to slowly digest it over time rather than getting a large amount all at once.

Increase Water Intake
An increase in physical activity also means an increase in water consumption, so make sure that there is always plenty of fresh water available for him at all times. Not only will this help prevent dehydration and keep him hydrated during exercise, but it will also help flush toxins out of his system and aid in digestion after meals. If possible, try adding electrolytes into his drinking water as well since they can be beneficial when horses are sweating heavily during strenuous activities such as riding or jumping.
Conclusion: As the weather warms up and your horse starts engaging in more activities such as riding or jumping, it’s important that you adjust his feeding program accordingly in order to ensure that he stays healthy and performs at peak levels throughout the season. By increasing caloric intake with fresh hay or forage, adding electrolytes into his drinking water if necessary, and providing plenty of fresh water throughout the day, you can help your horse transition smoothly from winter to spring without any issues related to nutrition or hydration.

With these simple strategies in mind, you can rest assured knowing that your horse will have everything he needs throughout this exciting period!