Equine Nutrition Conference Round-Up | Equine Science Matters™

Over the past few months, the Feedmark nutritionists have attended several equine nutrition conferences, where researchers, academics and veterinary professionals shared the latest findings, discussed emerging challenges, and explored how we can continue to improve equine health and nutrition. Although each conference had its own focus, several key themes emerged. 
 

Climate Change and Forage 

Changing weather patterns are having an increasing impact on horse management, with more frequent extremes of both wet and dry conditions affecting forage production across the world. 

In the UK, 2025 proved particularly challenging, with many horse owners sourcing forage from outside their usual area—or even overseas—as hay and haylage supplies became scarce and prices rose significantly. Similar issues have been reported across Europe and elsewhere. 

Climate also influences forage quality, not just yield. Dry conditions and slower grass growth can delay cutting, resulting in higher levels of less digestible lignin and lower levels of the more digestible cellulose. At the same time, crude protein concentrations in forage appear to be gradually declining. 

While sugar levels remain highly variable, some European laboratories are reporting an increasing proportion of forage samples containing more than 10% non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). This may reflect greater environmental stress on grass, encouraging higher NSC storage under certain conditions. 

One particularly encouraging theme across the conferences was the growing recognition of forage as the foundation of the equine diet, rather than simply a source of fibre. Research continues to highlight its vital role in supporting physical and behavioural wellbeing, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, and ultimately influencing many aspects of both physical and psychological health. Advances in forage analysis technology are also making it quicker and easier to assess forage quality, and it will be exciting to see how these developments progress over the coming years. 
 

Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances and Poisonous Plants 

Another topic discussed across several conferences was the increasing risk of naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) in imported forage. 

Although plants such as poppies are grown in the UK and occur naturally in hedgerows and gardens, they are more widely cultivated in some other countries. As the UK becomes increasingly reliant on imported forage during poor harvest years, there is a greater possibility of unfamiliar NOPS and poisonous plants entering the forage supply. 

This highlights the importance of knowing where forage has come from, asking suppliers about surrounding crops and their quality control procedures, and carefully inspecting new deliveries for unfamiliar plants before feeding. 
 

Preparing for the Future 

While researchers continue to investigate the long-term effects of climate change, there was a strong emphasis on taking practical steps now to improve our own resilience. 

Harvesting rainwater from stable and barn roofs during wetter months could provide irrigation for paddocks during prolonged dry spells, helping maintain grazing and reducing reliance on conserved forage during summer months. 

Reviewing grass species within pasture mixes is another important consideration. Including drought-tolerant species alongside those better suited to wetter conditions can improve resilience, while improving drainage may help increase winter turnout and partially reduce reliance on conserved forage. 

Alternative fibre sources, including unmolassed sugar beet and soybean hulls, can also help replace part of the long-stem fibre requirement when forage supplies are limited. Mixing straw with hay may be appropriate for some good doers, provided horses have good dentition, adequate water intake and sufficient exercise to minimise the risk of impaction colic. 
 

Parasites 

Parasite control remained another major topic, particularly the increasing resistance of intestinal parasites to the anthelmintic drugs currently available. 

Redworm, roundworm and tapeworm are all showing growing levels of resistance, although prevalence varies between regions. Stud farms and yards with youngstock are particularly vulnerable, as younger horses generally carry higher parasite burdens and shed more eggs onto pasture. 

Faecal Egg Counts remain an essential tool for targeted parasite control, allowing treatment to be based on need rather than routine dosing. Grazing with non-host species such as sheep, or resting paddocks for 9–12 months, can also reduce pasture contamination, although these approaches are not always practical. Regular poo-picking every 5–7 days remains the gold standard for reducing parasite challenge. 
 

Protein 

Although relatively little new research on protein nutrition was presented, the topic prompted considerable discussion. 

The crude protein values displayed on feed labels are required by legislation, but they do not necessarily reflect the amount of protein that is actually available to the horse. Dietary protein is broken down into amino acids, which are absorbed primarily in the small intestine before being used to build and repair body tissues. 

In highly fibrous feeds, particularly mature forage with a high lignin content, some protein remains trapped within the fibre and is not released until fermentation occurs in the hindgut. By this stage, much of the opportunity for amino acid absorption has already passed. 

As a result, researchers increasingly recognise that pre-caecal digestible protein provides a far more meaningful measure of protein availability than crude protein alone. Some also suggested that, particularly in research, measuring pre-caecal digestible amino acids may offer an even more accurate assessment of a feed's nutritional value. Greater consistency in how protein is measured and reported would make it easier to compare research studies and ultimately provide clearer nutritional recommendations for horse owners. 
 

Conclusions 

These conferences provided an excellent opportunity to update our knowledge and ensure the advice we give Feedmark customers reflects the latest research. 

While innovative ingredients and emerging technologies continue to generate interest, one message came through consistently: getting the basics right—particularly forage—remains the foundation of good equine nutrition. 

Just as importantly, these events bring together researchers, nutritionists, veterinarians and industry professionals to share knowledge and discuss the real-world challenges facing horse owners. The conversations Feedmark nutritionists have with customers every day help inform those discussions, contributing to future research and practical solutions that will benefit horses for years to come.