• My pony is prone to laminitis. What feed have you which is suitable?
• My competition horse lacks stamina. What can I feed him?
• How much should I feed my horse each day and how do I know if he is getting enough?
• Can I feed sheep nuts to my horse?
• My horse is too lazy. How can I give him more energy?
• My horse is very fussy. How can I get him to eat more?
• My mare is in foal. When should I start to feed a Stud Mix?
• At what age should I feed my foal? What feed should I feed him on?

My pony is prone to laminitis. What feed have you which is suitable?

A: It is important to cut all starches and sugars, known as soluble carbohydrates, from the diet. This would include grass as well as all cereals and molasses. The pony requires a good nutritional diet and should be put on a high fibre diet, comprising clean hay and Hickstead Hi Fibre Cubes. This product is high in fibre (19%) with good levels of minerals and vitamins, yet contains low levels of starch and sugar. Build up slowly to recommended levels on the bag and do not allow the pony to become overweight.

Hickstead Hi Fibre Chaff with Soya Oil is a high fibre, non-molassed chaff containing alfalfa, meadow hay and dust extracted straw.  This chaff has 10% Soya oil added to bind the product and provide extra nutritional value.

My competition horse lacks stamina. What can I feed him?

A: Your horse may lack stamina because you may be feeding inadequate levels of concentrate and therefore not providing suitable energy for his workload. Alternatively, you may not be feeding an appropriate concentrate for his work load. Hickstead Sports Mix and Sports Cubes contain high digestible fibre, providing slow release energy for stamina over long distances, together with steam flaked cereals, providing instant energy for your horse when it needs that extra energy boost. Build up to levels recommended on the bag and be prepared to alter the amounts fed, up or down, depending on work load and energy levels.

How much should I feed my horse each day and how do I know if he is getting enough?

Refer to the feeding recommendations for the correct quantities to feed your horse in our Products pages. There are several ways to monitor the weight and condition of your horse.

A. The use of a weighbridge. Only a few privileged horse owners have access to a weighbridge and it is only this method which will give a true weight.
B. The use of a weigh tape. These can be bought from feed merchants or direct from feed companies. The weight is given when the girth is measured and most are quite accurate. It is important to weigh your horse weekly at a regular time in order to monitor weight gain or loss.
C. The use of a mathematical formula. You will need a measuring tape and a calculator.

                                   Heart girth (cm) ² x length (cm)*
Bodyweight (kg) =      _________________________

                                                11877

*Length of a horse is from point of shoulder to point of buttocks.

D. Condition scoring. This should be carried out weekly. Start by feeling the areas on the horse where weight gain or loss is likely to occur such as crest, neck and shoulders; ribs; quarters. Feel these areas, standing to the front, side and rear of the horse where applicable. Give each area a score out of five where 1 is very thin (emancipated) and 5 is very obese. A score of 3 would be average. Take into account the work of a horse. For example a show horse should be 'well covered', where as a fit event horse tends to be more on the 'wiry' side. Also make any allowances for changes in the length of your horses coat in winter.

Finally, stand back and critically assess (not admire!) your horse. Once you have got your 'eye in', you will be able to note slight changes in body condition.

Note the score down and after several weeks you will have a record of weight gain or loss.

See our girth to weight table to help you weigh your horse in the Document Library.

Can I feed sheep nuts to my horse?

NO!  Feeding a feed designed for another species of animal is not recommended.  The horse will require different levels of micronutrients to sheep and this would adversely affect the horse.  

Only feed a product designed for horses.

My horse is too lazy. How can I give him more energy?

A: By feeding more of a low energy concentrate to gain oomph, your horse will probably just get fatter! Instead, replace the levels you are currently feeding with a high energy feed such as Hickstead Eventa Sports Mix or Jumpa Sports Cubes, or Hickstead Race Mix or Cubes. These feeds will give your horse an extra energy boost. Increase levels if necessary, but no more than 40% concentrate and 60% forage. If your horse is still too lazy, ask a vet for a blood test as there may be an underlying problem.

My horse is very fussy. How can I get him to eat more?

A: Try a variety of products in small quantities to see if your horse prefers any particular taste or texture. Some horses don't like cubes, whereas others prefer their feed either wet or dry. Try the palatable, herby taste of Hickstead Herbal Meadow Mix which includes mint and if necessary add one or two tablespoons of molasses or honey to each feed as well as grated succulents such as apples or carrots. This is especially important during the winter months when the horse is stabled for long periods of time. Feed several small feeds a day to avoid over facing your horse and throw away any feed left in the manger.

My mare is in foal. When should I start to feed a Stud Mix?

A: The mare can be fed Paddock Mix or Cubes at a maintenance level during the first six months of pregnancy, as long as there is no problem with her weight.  Introduce and slowly replace this feed with Hickstead Stud Mix during the sixth month of pregnancy. Slowly work up to levels recommended on the bag and this will see the mare through her final stage of pregnancy as well as lactation.

At what age should I feed my foal? What feed should I feed him on?

A: Foals will often pick at their mothers stud concentrate from only a few weeks of age and this can be encouraged. Start to feed your foal Hickstead Yearling Plus or, if you prefer a mix, feed your foal Hickstead Stud Mix in a separate feed bowl, just prior to weaning to make sure he is eating well and has good body condition as weaning is a stressful period of time. Introduce the feed slowly and follow feeding directions on the bag. This feed can be successfully fed until the youngster is 2 years old.