Nutrition with April - Independent Equine Nutritionist MSc ANutr

30/08/2025

Which Supplement is Best?

One of the most common questions I get asked is: “What’s the best supplement for joints / hooves / coat / digestion… but it also needs to be cheap?”

Here’s the thing… I completely understand wanting to keep costs down. Horses are expensive (sometimes painfully so!) but when it comes to nutrition, cutting corners can actually end up costing more in the long run. Why? Because poor-quality products or the wrong supplement can cause nutritional imbalances and simply won’t give you the results you’re hoping for.

The dose is key. Think about how we take medications ourselves, we’re always told the correct amount to take. Too little, and it won’t work. Too much, and it could be harmful. For example, with paracetamol, there’s a safe and effective amount that we know will actually relieve pain.

It’s exactly the same with supplements for horses. For joint health (and other conditions), there’s a minimum amount of the active ingredient that research shows is needed for it to be effective. Unfortunately, not every company puts enough of that ingredient into their product. Sometimes you’d need to feed several times the suggested daily amount just to reach the effective level and this is expensive but also dangerous in case you feed too much of another ingredient in the tub.

That means if the dose isn’t high enough, you could be feeding your horse an expensive powder that isn’t actually doing anything at all.

My advice? Always look beyond the shiny marketing and check the label. Ask yourself:
• Does this contain the right ingredient in the right amount?
• Is it backed up by independent research?
• Is this product actually worth feeding, or am I throwing money away?

At the end of the day, supplements can be fantastic tools but only if they’re used correctly, in the right context, and at the right dose. Otherwise, your money is far better spent elsewhere in your horse’s diet.

💬 Have you ever been surprised when you looked closely at a supplement label? Drop your experiences below – I’d love to hear them!

Feel free to share 🐴

29/08/2025

Just because a horse is carrying extra weight doesn’t mean their nutrition should be cut out completely!

Overweight horses often get their calories from forage alone, but forage rarely provides all the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids they need for health. That’s where a balancer comes in, giving them the goodness without lots of calories, or for even less calories try a vitamin and mineral supplement!

Feel free to share 🌱

31/07/2025

Here is how to weigh your horse feeds so you know exactly how much you are feeding each day!

17/07/2025

WEIGHT CHECKING YOUR HORSE🐎

Weight gain or loss in horses can happen gradually and often go unnoticed without objective monitoring. Visually assessing a horse’s weight isn’t always reliable, especially with thick coats, muscle changes, or even just seeing them daily. That’s why regular weight checks are an essential part of managing your horse’s health and diet.

📉 Why it matters:
Sudden weight loss can be a red flag for dental issues, parasites, illness, or poor nutrition. Gradual weight gain increases the risk of laminitis, insulin dysregulation, and obesity-related conditions, especially in native breeds and easy keepers.

How to track weight accurately:
- Use a weighbridge if possible. This is the gold standard.
- If that’s not available, use a weight tape or a formula-based estimation with a measuring tape. While less accurate, these methods are useful for spotting trends over time.
- Combine this with body condition scoring (BCS) for a fuller picture. Studies show BCS is a reliable method for identifying over- or under-conditioning (Henneke et al., 1983).

How often?
At least monthly but more frequently is recommended for horses who are likely to fluctuate in their condition for closer monitoring. Record the results to notice trends and adjust feeding accordingly.

🧬 The science:
Obesity is increasingly recognised as a major welfare issue in domestic horses, with studies showing up to 50% of UK leisure horses are overweight (Wyse et al., 2008; Thatcher et al., 2012). Regular monitoring helps you catch weight creep before it becomes a health problem.

Want help getting started with weight tracking or condition scoring? Drop your questions below.

Feel free to share 🍏

10/07/2025

☀️ HOT WEATHER HORSE CARE TIPS ☀️

The heatwave is here and our horses feel it just as much as we do! Here’s how to help them stay healthy and comfortable when temperatures soar:

✅ Turnout & Shade: If possible, turn horses out overnight or in the coolest parts of the day. Bring them in during peak sun if they have limited shade. Solid stables (brick or block) usually stay cooler than timber.

✅ Keep an Eye on Coats: Even at rest, horses can overheat, especially if they’re very hairy or still have a thick coat. Consider clipping if they’re sweating while standing still.

✅ Know Their Normal: Take your horse’s re**al temperature if you’re worried. A normal range is about 37–38.5°C. Anything over 39°C? Start active cooling. Over 40°C? Treat as an emergency and cool vigorously with plenty of cold water.

✅ Hydration is Vital: Always provide fresh, clean water. If adding electrolytes to water to rehydrate do this in a separate bucket.

✅ Top Up Electrolytes: If your horse is sweating more than usual, even when resting, consider adding electrolytes to their feed or water bowl to help replace what they lose through sweat.

✅ Smart Schooling: Work them early or late when it’s cooler. If they need to be fit for midday competitions, adjust gradually so they’re acclimatised and shorten or lighten sessions as needed.

✅ Cool Down Well: After exercise, drench with plenty of cold or iced water. There’s no need to scrape between applications because research shows continuous cold water is most effective for dropping core temperature fast.

✅ Sun Safety: Apply sunscreen to pink noses to help prevent sunburn.

✅ Feed Fresh: Hot weather can spoil feed faster, especially mashes or supplements. Check for smells or mould and store feed in a cool, dry spot.

✅ And Don’t Forget You! Stay hydrated, wear sun protection and take breaks in the shade. Caring for horses in this heat is hard work for humans too.

If you’d like tailored advice on managing your horse’s diet and hydration through the summer, feel free to message me any time.

Keep cool, stay safe and share with your friends to help them through this heat too ☀️

20/06/2025

Name a better sound that the one a horse makes chewing grass… I’m waiting…

I don’t think you can as this is what the horse’s digestive system is evolved for, eating plenty of forage and fibre! 😍

15/06/2025

I had such a lovely day yesterday at WCF Pet & Equestrian in Penrith which is my local feed store. It was brilliant speaking with so many thoughtful owners about the feeding challenges they’re facing right now. From forage choices to feed balancers, we covered a bit of everything!

I really enjoyed helping people think through whether their current feed suits their horse’s individual needs because it’s not always easy, but a little clarity can go a long way.

Thanks to everyone who stopped for a chat, you were all so lovely. Hope to see you again soon!

If anyone is unsure about their horse’s feeding plans then please do drop me a message to see how I can help🐴

11/06/2025

I am super excited about being invited to the Lloyd’s Equestrian Open Evening on a couple of weeks where I will be speaking about understanding horse feeds and what your horse needs 🤩 I hope to see you there and do come over to say hi and ask any questions you may have ☺️

04/06/2025

Grazing muzzles: cruel or kind? 🌱

They might look harsh, but when used correctly, a grazing muzzle can be a real lifesaver for horses prone to laminitis, obesity or EMS.

Worn for 8 to 12 hours a day, a well-fitted muzzle helps limit grass intake while still allowing natural behaviours like movement, social interaction and drinking. The key is correct fit, regular checks and a balanced routine.

Give your horse access to hay or low-calorie forage when the muzzle is off, and keep an eye out for rubs or changes in condition.

Used wisely, a muzzle is not a punishment but a tool to keep your horse safe and healthy.

Here is Millie turned out with her friends in the longer grass during the day wearing a grass muzzle to help her control how much grass she can eat in that period. This means she isn’t left by herself and also has more room for movement!

31/05/2025

Who can relate? 🙋🏼‍♀️😂

The moment the fence gets moved...

©️Emily Cole Illustrations

30/05/2025

💸 Feeding your horse doesn’t need to break the bank🐴

We all want the best for our horses, but sometimes our feed room starts to look like a supplement shop, and our bank account starts to cry. But here’s the thing, you might be spending more than you need and still missing the mark!

Common culprits:
- Feeding a balancer and a fortified mix = 💥 DOUBLE vits & mins
- feeding multiple extra supplements for a specific need that are already (or could be) addressed by the main feed.
- Switching to a “cheaper” feed but having to add 4 extra supplements to make up the difference in nutritional quality.

Smart, budget-friendly feeding isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about knowing exactly what your horse needs and where they’re already getting it. Sometimes a feed review reveals you can drop 2 or 3 products and still have a healthier, happier horse (and more money for actual emergencies… like surprise rug repairs 🫠).

So if your feed bill feels suspiciously like a mortgage… maybe it’s time for a check-in.

29/05/2025

🧂 Your horse doesn’t need Himalayan unicorn salt infused with moonlight. They just need… salt.

Yes, plain, boring, basic NaCl.

🧠 Did you know?
Horses lose salt (sodium + chloride) daily in their sweat, urine, faeces and breath, even if they are just standing in the field. And guess what?
Forage and most feeds are very low in sodium so do not cover maintenance requirements.

So unless your horse is licking their salt block like it’s an ice cream cone every day (spoiler: most don’t), chances are… they’re not getting enough.

🚫 Not enough salt =
- Reduced thirst leading to dehydration
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Reduced thermoregulation
- Tying up risk

✅ What to do?
- Add table salt or plain rock salt to their feed daily whilst still allowing access to to their salt lick for extra supplementation if they wish.
- Typical maintenance need: 25g/day for a 500kg horse
- Add more in hot weather or when sweating heavily.

💸 Don’t fall for the fancy labels.
Salt is not a luxury supplement. It’s a basic nutrient your horse must have for health.

Feel free to share 😊