FEED ADVICE – DISCIPLINES
Ultimate Guide to Feeding a Show Horse
Feeding show horses requires a well-balanced diet tailored to their specific needs. Unlike horses used for leisure or light work, show horses face the unique demands of maintaining peak physical condition, a glossy coat, and the stamina necessary for performances. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for feeding show horses, ensuring they remain in top form for competition.
What is Showing?
Showing highlights a horse’s way of going, conformation, and turnout, with classes ranging from in-hand to ridden at all levels.
Horses need controlled calories from fibre and oil to maintain topline and shine without becoming excitable.
Quality protein, oils, and a balanced vitamin and mineral profile help promote coat condition and muscle tone.
A complete, fibre-based diet supports calm behaviour, digestive health, and that polished show ring appearance.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Show Horses
Show horses have distinct nutritional requirements, influenced by their breed, age, workload, and the demands of their discipline. The key goals in feeding a show horse are to:
Maintain Optimal Weight:
Show horses need to be neither too thin nor overweight. Achieving the ideal body condition score is crucial for aesthetics and performance.
Support Muscle Development:
High-quality protein is essential for muscle tone and recovery, especially for horses undergoing regular training.
Enhance Coat Condition:
A shiny, healthy coat is a sign of good nutrition and care. Specific nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are vital in achieving this.
Provide Energy for Performance:
Show horses require a steady energy supply for training and competition without becoming too excitable or nervous.
Metabolic Requirements of Show Horses
Show horses have heightened metabolic demands due to the physical and mental stress of training and competition. Their energy needs are higher than those of horses at rest or in light work. To meet these demands, it’s important to provide a diet rich in both energy and essential nutrients. The primary sources of energy for show horses include carbohydrates, fats, and fibre:
Carbohydrates: Provide quick-release energy. However, too many simple carbohydrates (such as those found in cereals) can lead to excitability and digestive issues. It’s better to rely on complex carbohydrates from fibre sources.
Fats: Offer a concentrated source of energy and are ideal for slow-release energy, helping to maintain endurance without causing spikes in energy levels.
Proteins: Crucial for muscle development and repair. Show horses benefit from high-quality protein sources that supply essential amino acids necessary for muscle tone, recovery, and overall condition.
Key Components of a Show Horse’s Diet
Forage
High-Quality Hay: The foundation of any horse’s diet should be good-quality forage. For show horses, this means providing hay that is clean, free from dust, and rich in nutrients. Timothy and alfalfa are popular choices, offering a balance of fibre and protein.
Grass: If available, fresh grass provides a natural source of nutrition. However, it’s essential to monitor grazing to prevent overconsumption, especially in lush fields that may cause weight gain or exacerbate the risks of laminitis.
Hard Feed
Balancers: A high-specification feed balancer can be an excellent way to ensure that a show horse receives all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and amino acids without adding too many calories. Did you know that all our complete feeds already contain a balancer?
Conditioning Feeds: For horses that need to build or maintain condition, conditioning feeds are designed to provide extra calories through fats and fibres rather than starches, which can lead to excitability
Key Components of a Show Horse’s Diet
Protein Sources
Soybean Meal: High in essential amino acids, ideal for supporting muscle tone and recovery.
Linseed: Offers a balance of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, promoting both muscle health and coat condition.
Fat Sources
Oils: linseed oil provides a dense source of calories without increasing starch intake. It also contains a rich source of omega 3 for enhancing coat gloss!
Rice Bran: A popular feed additive, offering high fat content with additional protein and fibre.
Full-Fat Soya: Provides a combination of protein and fat, helping to support both muscle and energy levels.
Key Components of a Show Horse’s Diet
Supplements
Electrolytes: Especially important during the competition season, electrolytes help replenish salts lost through sweat during intense work.
Joint Support: Glucosamine, chondroitin, and other joint supplements can help support the long-term health of a horse’s joints, crucial for horses in demanding disciplines.
Skin and Coat Conditioners: Supplements rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can promote a shiny coat, while also supporting skin health. Adding a small amount of micronized linseed each day can help improve coat shine – check out our micronized linseed here!
Hydration
Always ensure that fresh, clean water is available. Hydration is critical, especially when travelling to shows or during warm weather.
Pure Feed has two different routes for hydration help – Meadow Mash and ReFuel! Both are made from micro quick soaking pellets that form tasty mashes! Meadow Mash can be fed at high volumes and only contains a pre and probiotic, whereas ReFuel is fed in smaller concentrated doses and contains all the ingredients your horse needs for recovery!
Feeding Tips for Show Horses
Energy Management: Opt for feeds that provide slow-release energy, helping to sustain your horse through long training sessions without causing spikes in energy levels.
Consistency is Key: Horses thrive on routine. Feed your show horse at the same times each day, and avoid sudden changes in diet, which can cause digestive upsets.
Monitor Body Condition: Regularly assess your horse’s body condition score (BCS). Adjust the diet as needed to maintain the ideal weight.
Manage Stress with Diet: If your horse becomes stressed during travel or at shows, consider feeds that include magnesium or other calming ingredients. However, always consult with your vet before adding new supplements.
Hear from the Expert – Ellis Grierson
Ellis Grierson is a successful show rider whose thoughtful approach to feeding plays a big part in her horses’ performance. In 2023, she and her 16-year-old pony Hummy took an impressive second place at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Known for her dedication and strong bond with her horses, Ellis pays close attention to every part of their care – especially their nutrition.
Feeding to Support Performance
To keep Hummy in top condition throughout a busy show season, Ellis combines good-quality forage with carefully chosen hard feed. She feeds Pure Performance – our highest energy feed – to give Hummy the stamina and sparkle needed in the ring.
Oats give quick-release energy for instant performance.
Oil provides long-lasting, controlled power for stamina.
Fibre supports digestive health – essential during busy show days.
All-in-one formula keeps feeding simple and balanced.
Pure Performance also supports topline and muscle tone – vital for horses in the show ring where condition and appearance matter just as much as performance.
What We Recommend for Show Horses
Made in the UK
We are proud to say that all of our feeds are produced here in the UK
FREE Shipping
We offer FREE SHIPPING for all orders in the UK with 15 bags and over*
Sustainable
We are dedicated to playing our part in making the world more sustainable
100% Natural
We use high-quality ingredients and no unnecessary additives.
Thousands of people love our feeds
✨ Switching to Pure Feed couldn’t be easier! Follow these simple steps to get your horse thriving on a gut-friendly, stress-free feeding plan 🐴💛
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Fill out our diet plan to discover which Pure Feed product is perfect for your horse.
2️⃣ Use the stockist map to find your nearest retailer.
3️⃣ Pick up your first bag of Pure Feed.
4️⃣ Transition slowly: gradually reduce your current feed while increasing Pure Feed over 7–10 days.
5️⃣ Watch your horse thrive on a diet that supports their gut and overall well-being!
💡 Tip: Keep an eye on their weight and behaviour during the transition
Ready to make feeding simple and stress-free? Tap the link in bio to start your horse’s Pure Feed journey today!
✨ Switching to Pure Feed couldn’t be easier! Follow these simple steps to get your horse thriving on a gut-friendly, stress-free feeding plan 🐴💛
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Fill out our diet plan to discover which Pure Feed product is perfect for your horse.
2️⃣ Use the stockist map to find your nearest retailer.
3️⃣ Pick up your first bag of Pure Feed.
4️⃣ Transition slowly: gradually reduce your current feed while increasing Pure Feed over 7–10 days.
5️⃣ Watch your horse thrive on a diet that supports their gut and overall well-being!
💡 Tip: Keep an eye on their weight and behaviour during the transition
Ready to make feeding simple and stress-free? Tap the link in bio to start your horse’s Pure Feed journey today!
Meet the core of the Pure Feed range. Three feeds formulated to suit each calorie requirement.
💚 Pure Easy – Perfect for horses that maintain weight easily, this feed provides all the essential nutrients without excess energy. Ideal for horses in light work or those prone to weight gain.
💙 Pure Working – Designed for horses in regular work, this feed delivers steady energy and complete nutrition. With a balanced protein and fibre profile, it supports condition and sustained energy for consistent performance without overloading on calories.
💛 Pure Condition – Ideal for horses who need extra calorie support, this feed provides slow-release energy sources to support stamina, explosive power, and recovery. Perfect for competition horses, heavy work, or those needing to gain and maintain condition efficiently.
Together, these three cover most everyday feeding needs, making it easy to choose the right feed for your horse’s lifestyle 🐎
Meet the core of the Pure Feed range. Three feeds formulated to suit each calorie requirement.
💚 Pure Easy – Perfect for horses that maintain weight easily, this feed provides all the essential nutrients without excess energy. Ideal for horses in light work or those prone to weight gain.
💙 Pure Working – Designed for horses in regular work, this feed delivers steady energy and complete nutrition. With a balanced protein and fibre profile, it supports condition and sustained energy for consistent performance without overloading on calories.
💛 Pure Condition – Ideal for horses who need extra calorie support, this feed provides slow-release energy sources to support stamina, explosive power, and recovery. Perfect for competition horses, heavy work, or those needing to gain and maintain condition efficiently.
Together, these three cover most everyday feeding needs, making it easy to choose the right feed for your horse’s lifestyle 🐎
Myth: “Ulcers only affect racehorses or horses in heavy work.”
Fact: Gastric ulcers are very common, especially in performance horses. Studies show:
• Up to 80–100% of racehorses in training may have ulcers
• Around 40–60% of competition or performance horses
• Even some leisure horses are affected, around 30–40% in surveys
Ulcers often develop not just from workload, but from long gaps without forage, sudden diet changes, stress, and travel. Many horses show subtle signs rather than obvious discomfort, such as an inconsistent appetite, grumpiness, girth sensitivity, or changes in performance.
✨ Key takeaway: Ulcers are common, but not inevitable. Thoughtful feeding and management can reduce the risk and a support long-term normal gastric enviroment.
📩 If you’re unsure how to support your horse’s digestive health, our team can help build a feeding plan tailored to their needs
Myth: “Ulcers only affect racehorses or horses in heavy work.”
Fact: Gastric ulcers are very common, especially in performance horses. Studies show:
• Up to 80–100% of racehorses in training may have ulcers
• Around 40–60% of competition or performance horses
• Even some leisure horses are affected, around 30–40% in surveys
Ulcers often develop not just from workload, but from long gaps without forage, sudden diet changes, stress, and travel. Many horses show subtle signs rather than obvious discomfort, such as an inconsistent appetite, grumpiness, girth sensitivity, or changes in performance.
✨ Key takeaway: Ulcers are common, but not inevitable. Thoughtful feeding and management can reduce the risk and a support long-term normal gastric enviroment.
📩 If you’re unsure how to support your horse’s digestive health, our team can help build a feeding plan tailored to their needs
Power through every ride with Pure Working:
💙 Medium-calorie, naturally balanced feed designed for horses in regular work.
💙 Rapeseed oil and superfibres provide sustained energy
💙 High-quality protein and key amino acids support topline
💙 Pre- and probiotics promote a normal gut
💙 Biotin helps maintain strong hooves.
Want to see the difference Pure Working can make? Locate a stockist near you; 🔗 link in bio
Power through every ride with Pure Working:
💙 Medium-calorie, naturally balanced feed designed for horses in regular work.
💙 Rapeseed oil and superfibres provide sustained energy
💙 High-quality protein and key amino acids support topline
💙 Pre- and probiotics promote a normal gut
💙 Biotin helps maintain strong hooves.
Want to see the difference Pure Working can make? Locate a stockist near you; 🔗 link in bio
Horses don’t work at the same intensity every day, so why should their feed stay the same?
Every feed in the Pure Feed range is built on the same carefully selected ingredient base.
The difference? Energy and calorie level.
That means you can move up or down the range as workload changes, without changing ingredients, upsetting digestion, or starting again.
✔️ Same ingredients
✔️ Same micronutrition
✔️ Different levels to suit the day
From rest days to competition days, it’s one feed system that adapts to your horse’s week.
💡 Tap our bio for a personalised diet plan today!
Horses don’t work at the same intensity every day, so why should their feed stay the same?
Every feed in the Pure Feed range is built on the same carefully selected ingredient base.
The difference? Energy and calorie level.
That means you can move up or down the range as workload changes, without changing ingredients, upsetting digestion, or starting again.
✔️ Same ingredients
✔️ Same micronutrition
✔️ Different levels to suit the day
From rest days to competition days, it’s one feed system that adapts to your horse’s week.
💡 Tap our bio for a personalised diet plan today!
Some horses react when the girth is tightened, and it’s not just “being tricky.” The reason often comes down to stomach discomfort.
Horses produce stomach acid constantly, even when they’re not eating. Unlike humans, their stomachs aren’t designed to be empty for long periods. When a horse’s stomach is empty, or its gut is upset, the acid can irritate the stomach lining.
Tightening the girth puts pressure on the lower ribcage and stomach area, which can trigger discomfort or pain, causing the horse to squirm, nip at the girth, or resist being tacked up.
Supporting your horse with a fibre-rich diet, consistent feeding schedule, and careful tack fitting can help reduce this type of sensitivity, making tacking up a calmer, more comfortable experience.
💡 Have you noticed a difference when switching to Pure Feed? Let us know!
Some horses react when the girth is tightened, and it’s not just “being tricky.” The reason often comes down to stomach discomfort.
Horses produce stomach acid constantly, even when they’re not eating. Unlike humans, their stomachs aren’t designed to be empty for long periods. When a horse’s stomach is empty, or its gut is upset, the acid can irritate the stomach lining.
Tightening the girth puts pressure on the lower ribcage and stomach area, which can trigger discomfort or pain, causing the horse to squirm, nip at the girth, or resist being tacked up.
Supporting your horse with a fibre-rich diet, consistent feeding schedule, and careful tack fitting can help reduce this type of sensitivity, making tacking up a calmer, more comfortable experience.
💡 Have you noticed a difference when switching to Pure Feed? Let us know!
At Pure Feed, almost our entire complete feed range is cereal-free; from Pure Balance to Pure Condition Mix, giving you a low-starch, gut-friendly option✨
Only our Pure Performance contains cereals, as it`s designed for horses in heavy work who need extra energy.
Why does this matter? Because high-sugar, high-starch feeds can cause a whole host of problems:
🔥 Spikes in stomach acid → gut irritation
⚡ Fizzy, unpredictable behaviour
⚖ Weight gain or uneven condition
💥 Energy crashes mid-work
👉 Not sure where to start? Let our Pure Feed diet plan help you find the best feed for your horse’s gut
At Pure Feed, almost our entire complete feed range is cereal-free; from Pure Balance to Pure Condition Mix, giving you a low-starch, gut-friendly option✨
Only our Pure Performance contains cereals, as it`s designed for horses in heavy work who need extra energy.
Why does this matter? Because high-sugar, high-starch feeds can cause a whole host of problems:
🔥 Spikes in stomach acid → gut irritation
⚡ Fizzy, unpredictable behaviour
⚖ Weight gain or uneven condition
💥 Energy crashes mid-work
👉 Not sure where to start? Let our Pure Feed diet plan help you find the best feed for your horse’s gut
Riboflavin (B2) is your horse’s energy converter 👉 turning carbs, fats, and protein into fuel for work, growth, and recovery. It also supports:
• Skin, coat & hooves
• Tissue repair & cellular growth
• Antioxidant protection
Even if your horse looks fine, stress, work, travel, or seasonal changes can increase B2 requirements.
✅ The simple solution: Pure Feed complete feeds, formulated to deliver consistent B2 and other essential nutrients every day.
Take the guesswork out of feeding 👉 use our Pure Feed diet plan to make sure your horse is getting exactly what it needs to thrive. 🔗 Link in bio
Riboflavin (B2) is your horse’s energy converter 👉 turning carbs, fats, and protein into fuel for work, growth, and recovery. It also supports:
• Skin, coat & hooves
• Tissue repair & cellular growth
• Antioxidant protection
Even if your horse looks fine, stress, work, travel, or seasonal changes can increase B2 requirements.
✅ The simple solution: Pure Feed complete feeds, formulated to deliver consistent B2 and other essential nutrients every day.
Take the guesswork out of feeding 👉 use our Pure Feed diet plan to make sure your horse is getting exactly what it needs to thrive. 🔗 Link in bio
What do they say - never work with animals 🫣
It`s our fault, really, for making Refuel so delicious that Aimee`s stunning horse Joey couldn`t resist trying to steal a bite 🍒 😂
What do they say - never work with animals 🫣
It`s our fault, really, for making Refuel so delicious that Aimee`s stunning horse Joey couldn`t resist trying to steal a bite 🍒 😂
Good nutrition is about the details. 🐎
That’s why all of our complete feeds contain biotin as part of their carefully balanced formulation.
Pure Feed complete feeds are designed to provide horses with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need in one balanced ration, making feeding simple while supporting overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re feeding a good doer, a performance horse or a veteran, you can be confident they’re getting complete, balanced nutrition in every bag.
💬 Hands up if you love a feed that keeps things simple at feeding time.
Good nutrition is about the details. 🐎
That’s why all of our complete feeds contain biotin as part of their carefully balanced formulation.
Pure Feed complete feeds are designed to provide horses with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need in one balanced ration, making feeding simple while supporting overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re feeding a good doer, a performance horse or a veteran, you can be confident they’re getting complete, balanced nutrition in every bag.
💬 Hands up if you love a feed that keeps things simple at feeding time.
Do you feed before riding? 🥕
Even a small amount of Pure Feed forms a light layer of fibre in your horse’s stomach. The chaff encourages chewing, which produces saliva 👉 a natural buffer against stomach acid. This “fibre mat” helps shield the sensitive upper stomach lining from acid splash during exercise.
Just a small feed 30–60 minutes before your ride can make your horse more comfortable, focused, and ready to perform 🐴✨
Do you feed before riding? 🥕
Even a small amount of Pure Feed forms a light layer of fibre in your horse’s stomach. The chaff encourages chewing, which produces saliva 👉 a natural buffer against stomach acid. This “fibre mat” helps shield the sensitive upper stomach lining from acid splash during exercise.
Just a small feed 30–60 minutes before your ride can make your horse more comfortable, focused, and ready to perform 🐴✨
Do you have a good doer who gains weight just by looking at food, but could do with a little extra oomph in the saddle? 🐎✨
We might have the perfect solution! Combine two of our feeds:
Pure Balance – our low-calorie, high-spec balancer, fed at the full recommended serving.
Pure Performance – add just half a scoop when you ride or whenever extra energy is needed.
The result? Fast-release energy from Pure Performance to get your horse moving, without tipping the calorie balance, plus all the vitamins, minerals and extra goodness from Pure Balance to keep them feeling great inside and out!
🙌 Hands up who else has a good doer that gains weight just by looking at food?
Do you have a good doer who gains weight just by looking at food, but could do with a little extra oomph in the saddle? 🐎✨
We might have the perfect solution! Combine two of our feeds:
Pure Balance – our low-calorie, high-spec balancer, fed at the full recommended serving.
Pure Performance – add just half a scoop when you ride or whenever extra energy is needed.
The result? Fast-release energy from Pure Performance to get your horse moving, without tipping the calorie balance, plus all the vitamins, minerals and extra goodness from Pure Balance to keep them feeling great inside and out!
🙌 Hands up who else has a good doer that gains weight just by looking at food?
⚡ Does your horse need slow-release or fast-release energy? 🐎
Not all energy in horse feed behaves the same way, and it can make a big difference to how your horse feels and performs.
Feeds high in starch and sugar can provide quick-release energy. For some horses, that can mean extra sparkle you weren’t quite asking for.
Energy from fibre and oil, on the other hand, is released more slowly. That means steady stamina, better focus and controlled energy, ideal for horses in work without the unwanted fizz.
At Pure Feed, our complete feeds are built around fibre-based, slow-release energy, so you can fuel performance while helping keep your horse balanced and rideable.
💬 We’d love to know: Have you found certain feeds suit your horse better than others? Let us know below 👇
If you’re unsure what’s best for your horse, you can also get a free personalised recommendation using our online Diet Plan 💙
⚡ Does your horse need slow-release or fast-release energy? 🐎
Not all energy in horse feed behaves the same way, and it can make a big difference to how your horse feels and performs.
Feeds high in starch and sugar can provide quick-release energy. For some horses, that can mean extra sparkle you weren’t quite asking for.
Energy from fibre and oil, on the other hand, is released more slowly. That means steady stamina, better focus and controlled energy, ideal for horses in work without the unwanted fizz.
At Pure Feed, our complete feeds are built around fibre-based, slow-release energy, so you can fuel performance while helping keep your horse balanced and rideable.
💬 We’d love to know: Have you found certain feeds suit your horse better than others? Let us know below 👇
If you’re unsure what’s best for your horse, you can also get a free personalised recommendation using our online Diet Plan 💙
Your horse’s gut does a lot more than just “digest feed” ➡️ it’s responsible for nutrient absorption, immune support, behaviour, condition, performance… everything starts there.
The horse’s digestive system is designed for a near-constant intake of fibre, with fermentation in the hindgut supplying a significant proportion of their energy. When diets are high in starch or contain unnecessary additives, we can disrupt that delicate microbial balance and that’s when we start to see issues with condition, behaviour and consistency.
At Pure Feed, every formulation is built around supporting optimal digestive function. Our feeds are:
• Molasses free
• Cereal free (bar our Pure Performance)
• Alfalfa free
• Mould inhibitor free
Instead of relying on cereals for energy, we use highly digestible fibre sources and oil to provide slow-release energy that works in harmony with the hindgut. Each feed is fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, so you’re not layering multiple products on top.
The result? A more stable energy profile, efficient nutrient utilisation, and support for the microbiome. All from a feeding system designed to reflect how horses are meant to eat.
Every horse is different; let us build a diet plan that actually suits yours. Comment PLAN below to recieve a link to our diet plan service 🩵
Your horse’s gut does a lot more than just “digest feed” ➡️ it’s responsible for nutrient absorption, immune support, behaviour, condition, performance… everything starts there.
The horse’s digestive system is designed for a near-constant intake of fibre, with fermentation in the hindgut supplying a significant proportion of their energy. When diets are high in starch or contain unnecessary additives, we can disrupt that delicate microbial balance and that’s when we start to see issues with condition, behaviour and consistency.
At Pure Feed, every formulation is built around supporting optimal digestive function. Our feeds are:
• Molasses free
• Cereal free (bar our Pure Performance)
• Alfalfa free
• Mould inhibitor free
Instead of relying on cereals for energy, we use highly digestible fibre sources and oil to provide slow-release energy that works in harmony with the hindgut. Each feed is fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, so you’re not layering multiple products on top.
The result? A more stable energy profile, efficient nutrient utilisation, and support for the microbiome. All from a feeding system designed to reflect how horses are meant to eat.
Every horse is different; let us build a diet plan that actually suits yours. Comment PLAN below to recieve a link to our diet plan service 🩵
Not too much, not too little – just right. 🐴
Pure Working sits perfectly in our Pure Feed range as a medium-calorie, medium-level feed, ideal for horses in regular work or those on box rest who need extra support gaining weight. Balanced, gut-friendly, and designed to keep your horse in top condition without overdoing it.
Not too much, not too little – just right. 🐴
Pure Working sits perfectly in our Pure Feed range as a medium-calorie, medium-level feed, ideal for horses in regular work or those on box rest who need extra support gaining weight. Balanced, gut-friendly, and designed to keep your horse in top condition without overdoing it.
Your feed board shouldn’t look like a chemistry lab 🧪
Yet here we are: tubs, balancers, 3 chaffs, multiple supplements… and still guessing if your horse is actually getting what they need.
With Pure Feed, it’s simple:
✅ One feed
✅ One scoop
✅ Everything your horse needs — perfectly balanced, every time
Less clutter, less guesswork.
🔗 Click the link in bio for our free diet plan tool to make feeding this easy.
Your feed board shouldn’t look like a chemistry lab 🧪
Yet here we are: tubs, balancers, 3 chaffs, multiple supplements… and still guessing if your horse is actually getting what they need.
With Pure Feed, it’s simple:
✅ One feed
✅ One scoop
✅ Everything your horse needs — perfectly balanced, every time
Less clutter, less guesswork.
🔗 Click the link in bio for our free diet plan tool to make feeding this easy.
Many horse owners focus on feed labels and see “<10% sugar + starch” and assume it’s automatically safe for any horse. But the truth is, percentage values alone don’t give the full picture. What really matters is the actual grams of sugar and starch a horse consumes per meal relative to their bodyweight.
Here’s an example:
Feed A: 10% sugar + starch, fed at 500g → 50g sugar + starch
Feed B: 10% sugar + starch, fed at 2kg → 200g sugar + starch
Even though both feeds have the same percentage, Feed B delivers four times more sugar and starch in one meal. That’s a huge difference for your horse’s digestion, energy levels, and risk of conditions like laminitis or colic.
Breaking feed into smaller, more frequent meals keeps sugar and starch intake lower at any one time, supporting stable energy levels and better digestive health. Nutritionists always calculate sugar and starch per kg of bodyweight per meal, not just per day, and consider the whole diet, including forage, treats, and grazing.
💡 Try calculating your horse’s sugar + starch intake this week
Many horse owners focus on feed labels and see “<10% sugar + starch” and assume it’s automatically safe for any horse. But the truth is, percentage values alone don’t give the full picture. What really matters is the actual grams of sugar and starch a horse consumes per meal relative to their bodyweight.
Here’s an example:
Feed A: 10% sugar + starch, fed at 500g → 50g sugar + starch
Feed B: 10% sugar + starch, fed at 2kg → 200g sugar + starch
Even though both feeds have the same percentage, Feed B delivers four times more sugar and starch in one meal. That’s a huge difference for your horse’s digestion, energy levels, and risk of conditions like laminitis or colic.
Breaking feed into smaller, more frequent meals keeps sugar and starch intake lower at any one time, supporting stable energy levels and better digestive health. Nutritionists always calculate sugar and starch per kg of bodyweight per meal, not just per day, and consider the whole diet, including forage, treats, and grazing.
💡 Try calculating your horse’s sugar + starch intake this week
At Pure Feed, we believe performance starts with the right nutrition. Jam is usually fuelled by Fibre Balance, but Meg choses to switch to our Pure Performance right before a big competition to make sure Jam has the energy she needs 💪
Want to learn how Pure Feed can make a difference to your horse’s routine ? Tap the link in our bio to take our free diet plan!
At Pure Feed, we believe performance starts with the right nutrition. Jam is usually fuelled by Fibre Balance, but Meg choses to switch to our Pure Performance right before a big competition to make sure Jam has the energy she needs 💪
Want to learn how Pure Feed can make a difference to your horse’s routine ? Tap the link in our bio to take our free diet plan!
What people say about Pure Feed
