Horse Nutrition Articles

The horse’s digestive system is designed to process small amounts of forage frequently.  A state of homeostasis occurs when appropriate amounts of energy are supplied for various life functions.  There is an entire ecosystem in the horse’s digestive processes that requires balance and harmonization to function adequately.   

Hi Form Equicubes are natural species-specific complete feeds, providing your horse's daily nutritional requirements.

Today, EGUS is no longer considered a single disease, but rather two distinct conditions: Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD).
This modern distinction helps owners and veterinarians make more accurate diagnoses and implement more effective management strategies.

Written by Mishel Metcalf for Hi Form Australia 2026 The term Equine Metabolic Syndrome is currently used to describe horses and ponies with an insulin-resistant phenotype linked with laminitis susceptibility.  Pituitary Pars Intermedia Disorder (Cushing’s Disease) is also associated with EMS....

Be prepared when travelling.  Some horse's won't drink the local water.  Bring plenty of water  from home and prepare your first aid kit including emergency treatment products.  Hi Form Vet Packs are ideal for travelling.

Written by Antoinette Foster BSc Nutrition, Equine Nutritional Therapist and Medical Herbalist ©Hi Form Australia PL 2022 Calcium and phosphorus Calcium and phosphorus are extremely important for the horse’s health and wellbeing. The horses’ bones and teeth contain approximately 99%...

Just because a horse is older does not necessarily mean he requires a special diet; aging is not a disease; it is a normal process.

Remember if your horse is an older horse and working 4-5 times a week there is great demand mentally and physically.

For free advice on managing the older horse please contact me enq@hiform.com.au or phone 1300HIFORM

Researchers found that when the horses received electrolyte supplementation before exercise, they lost less fluid and fewer electrolytes from extracellular fluid compartments in the soft tissue during exercise and recovery compared to when they received pre-exercise water alone.

Roughage is undoubtedly the most important basis of the equine diet and horses really should consume approximately 1.5 to 3% of their body weight daily, it is recommended that at least half of horse’s diet should be roughage in the form of hay or pasture. The equine gastrointestinal system is easily upset and if sudden changes are made in the diet it can increase the risk of colic and other digestive issues.

Fibre-First Feeding with Hi Form

Every horse owner knows the daily juggle — keeping feed rooms tidy, minimising hay waste, and maintaining horse health can be a full-time job. Whether managing a busy competition schedule, caring for older companions, or simply seeking a cleaner, easier way to provide essential roughage, Hi Form EquiCubes offer a practical, nutritious, and time-saving solution.

Hay can be a major source of small particles in the air and steaming hay will decrease the dust and mould content. 

There is no doubt that the right type of diet containing a high level of roughage can counteract changes in gastric pH (stomach acid). This means that a high roughage diet can help to prevent gastric ulcers in horses. The correct terminology for resisting changes in pH is called buffering. Alfalfa or lucerne hay has been shown to reduce the severity of ulcers as it provides a superior buffering action compared to other types of fibre.

 

The Truth about Gut Health- Are you confused find out all the information you need in our downloadable E-Book Download PDF our E Book here

Equine asthma is a serious condition requiring accurate diagnosis, management, and treatment. Can complementary therapies serve as effective treatments? Breathing through a straw while running mimics an asthmatic's struggle. Horses experience similar challenges. Severe equine asthma (SEA) typically affects horses...

Sometimes, no developmental phase can be recognised, and the horse or pony is discovered in the acute phase of laminitis with no apparent ill health or inciting problem occurring beforehand. This appears to be the case particularly with grass founder...

© Hi Form Australia 2024 Overfeeding or underfeeding supplements and feeds can lead to deficits in vital substances, which over time may cause various health issues and reduced performance. Standard "complete" horse feeds—such as pellets, muesli, and grains combined with...

The answer is quite easy we believe that if it’s not acceptable for us to consume it is not acceptable for our horses. There are some studies that have been undertaken in the equine industry, however it is very difficult...

Download PDF Quarter horses have come along way in their performance use, athleticism, breeding and beauty since the three stallions, Vaquero, Jackaroo and Gold Standard arrived in Australia in 1954. Whilst QH excel in most equine disciplines we find many...

Download PDF here As horse owners we enjoy our horses being well-cared for; not treated as pampered pets but receiving the best of everything - limited only by the size of our piggy-bank! Regardless of whether a horse is a...

Download PDF Choose your oil carefully. Not all oils are made equal, many have different origins, storage methods and processes that can change their composition entirely to make them go from a beneficial oil to not helpful at all. Why...

Pain in Horses is very common How often do you consider your horse may be in pain? Once a day, once a week, once a month, once a year? If you have answered yes to any of these, then you...