5 Feeding Mistakes Indian Horse Owners Still Make – And How to Avoid Them

Across India’s equestrian community—whether in showjumping, dressage, racing, polo, or the care of indigenous breeds—nutrition is the backbone of performance and well-being. Even knowledgeable owners and riders sometimes make feeding decisions that unintentionally compromise health and results.

Here are five common mistakes and how to correct them, with insights tailored to different disciplines.

1. Feeding by Volume, Not by Weight

Mistake: Measuring grain by scoop or hay by bundle, which varies greatly in density and weight.
Fix: Weigh feeds periodically to ensure precise rations, and feed according to body weight and workload.

Discipline Insights:

• Showjumping & Dressage: Precise weighing ensures balanced energy release for controlled performance.
• Racing: Calorie delivery must be exact—too much or too little affects stamina on race day.
• Polo: Feeding by weight prevents energy crashes during multiple chukkas.
• Indigenous Breeds: Helps avoid over-conditioning in lighter, hardy horses like Marwari and Kathiawari.

2. Using Age-Specific Feeds Without Real Need

Mistake: Switching to feeds designed for older horses or “age-specific” rations when not required. These are valuable when chewing efficiency or digestion declines, but unnecessary use may cause imbalances or add unwanted calories.

Fix: Evaluate the horse’s physiological condition—teeth, digestion, ability to utilize roughage—rather than just chronological age. Reserve age-specific feeds for horses that genuinely require them.

Discipline Insights:

• Showjumping & Dressage: For older horses still training well, a ration balancer may be more suitable than a complete age-specific feed.
• Racing: Young athletes need high-performance concentrates; shifting to age-specific formulas too early reduces energy density.
• Polo: Older ponies with worn teeth may benefit, but only when roughage intake drops.
• Indigenous Breeds: Hardy horses often maintain weight well into later years; age-specific feed should be introduced only if digestion or dentition demands it.

3. Overestimating Workload

Mistake: Feeding as though every horse is in “heavy work,” when most are in light-to-moderate training.
Fix: Assess workload honestly and feed accordingly, aiming for a body condition score of 4–6.

Discipline Insights:

• Showjumping & Dressage: Overfeeding makes horses heavy and stiff.
• Racing: True heavy work horses—require high-energy feeding, but carefully timed.
• Polo: Quick energy is vital, but excess concentrate risks hotness.
• Indigenous Breeds: Most ceremonial or leisure horses only need light workload diets.

4. Oversupplementing and Switching Too Often

Mistake: Adding too many supplements or changing them frequently, leading to imbalances and digestive stress.
Fix: Keep supplementation simple, give each product time to show results, and transition diets gradually over 7–10 days.

Discipline Insights:

• Showjumping & Dressage: Avoid layering multiple joint and performance boosters that may clash.
• Racing: Precision is critical—guesswork with supplements risks performance.
• Polo: Consistency supports recovery between chukkas.
• Indigenous Breeds: Balance modern supplements with traditional feeding practices carefully.

5. Feeding in Meals Instead of Supporting Grazing Patterns

Mistake: Large meal gaps instead of continuous forage access.
Fix: Provide haynets, slow feeders, or structured turnout to mimic natural grazing.

Discipline Insights:

• Showjumping & Dressage: Reduces ulcer risk and helps focus in the arena.
• Racing: Frequent forage access supports gut health in stabled racehorses.
• Polo: Small frequent hay portions aid recovery during tournaments.
• Indigenous Breeds: Extended grazing aligns with natural hardiness and reduces stress.

The Takeaway

Across all equestrian disciplines in India, from high-performance athletes to traditional breeds, nutrition decisions define long-term health and success. By focusing on measured rations, only using age-specific feeds when truly needed, aligning diets with workload, simplifying supplements, and supporting grazing behavior, owners can dramatically improve their horses’ condition and performance.

At Rising Equine, we provide specialized equine nutrition consulting designed for India’s unique ecosystem. Whether you manage a string of racehorses, a team of polo ponies, or an indigenous horse stud, we create balanced programs that combine science with practicality—ensuring every horse thrives.