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1. Focus on Forage
Horses should be eating between 1.5–2% of their bodyweight in forage every day. For a 1,000 lb horse, that’s at least 10–15 lbs of forage per day. For optimal gastric health, we recommend making hay or pasture changes as gradually as possible, keeping forage in front of horses for as much of the day as possible, and considering providing daily digestive support.
2. Evaluate Energy Needs
In order to receive a full serving of their daily vitamins, minerals, and protein from a fortified grain, horses must also take in a full serving of calories, which is more than many horses need to maintain their weight. Most commercial feeds are also much higher in omega 6 fatty acids than omega 3 fatty acids, which can result in a chronic pro-inflammatory state, adding stress to cells throughout the body. High-grain diets have also been associated with an increased risk of both gastric ulcers1 and colic. For these reasons, we recommend feeding the minimum amount of grain needed to maintain a horse’s weight and energy levels.
3. Round Out the MVPs
(Minerals, Vitamins & Proteins)
7 out of 10 horses aren’t receiving a full serving of grains2, meaning that their requirements for vitamins, minerals, and proteins may not be met by their hay and grain alone. If a horse is on pasture or hay only or eating less than a full serving of grain, consider adding a ration balancer or multi-vitamin/mineral supplement to fill the gaps in their diet.
4. Add a Dash of Salt
Salt (sodium chloride) is an essential part of a horse’s diet. It supports healthy nerve and muscle function and encourages horses to drink, helping to avoid dehydration. Even a horse in no work needs at least one ounce of salt per day. Electrolytes aim to replace the minerals (including sodium) lost when a horse sweats, so they’re a smart choice for horses that sweat due to their environment or workload. While most electrolyte supplements contain some salt, they don’t always contain a full serving, so it’s important to check.
5. Balance Your Fats
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are both critical in any horse’s diet. Omega 3s support a healthy anti-inflammatory response while omega 6s support pro-inflammatory responses. While occasional inflammation plays an important role in a horse’s overall health, a chronic state of inflammation can be problematic, causing stress at the cellular level. Therefore, maintaining the correct balance between the two is critical. The ideal ratio of omega 3s to 6s is 2:1 or 4:1—be sure to check the ratios in common feedstuffs to understand what your horse’s overall ratio is and consider a supplement rich in omega 3s to find the right balance.
6. Add Supplements as Needed
While every horse is different, there are several fundamental categories that offer support for normal structure and function throughout the body, helping horses cope with everyday stress, as well as wear and tear. From joints to hooves and beyond, we have a supplement for that. If a horse is dealing with a particular problem, like excess excitability, seasonal allergies, or something else, check out one of our innovative problem-solvers.
For a full list of the SmartEquine products J&B Pet Source offers, visit: https://www.jandbpetsource.com/smartequine/
1 Videla R, Andrews FM. New perspectives in equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2009 Aug;25(2):283-301.
2 Based on results from a survey of horse owners conducted by SmartEquine
2025 by SmartPak Equine LLC. Used by permission. Taken from “6 Easy Steps to Building a Healthy Diet” by SmartPak Equine LLC. All Rights reserved. No copying without consent. These products are not intended to mitigate, treat, or cure any disease or condition. Always consult your veterinarian if you have any questions about your horse’s health.