Smart Equine Nutrition Plans for Fall and Winter
As the temperatures drop and the pastures turn dormant, horse owners across the Mid-South face the seasonal challenge of adjusting their feeding programs. Unlike the lush spring and summer months, cooler weather means less fresh forage, lower natural nutrition, and increased caloric needs to maintain body condition and energy. Feeding your horse in the fall and winter requires careful balance especially in regions like ours where humidity and weather fluctuations make hay storage a challenge.
At Full Circle Equine, we understand that every horse’s nutritional needs are unique, particularly performance horses that continue training or showing through the cooler months. From choosing the right hay source to incorporating bagged feeds, pellets, and cubes, the right mix will help keep your horse strong, healthy, and ready for work all season long.
Understanding Your Horse’s Nutritional Needs in Cooler Weather
Horses burn more calories during colder weather to maintain their body temperature, so their energy requirements increase even as pasture availability decreases. As grass loses its nutritional value, horses rely more heavily on stored forage and supplemental feeds. The goal is to provide consistent calories, maintain digestive health, and support muscle and immune function.
It’s also important to remember that horses generate internal heat through digestion particularly from fibrous forage like hay. Feeding sufficient roughage not only provides nutrition but also acts as your horse’s natural furnace. When temperatures drop, ensuring a steady supply of quality hay helps keep horses warm from the inside out.
The Hay Challenge in the Mid-South
For many horse owners in the Memphis area, storing hay through the humid fall and winter months presents a problem. High humidity, temperature swings, and limited dry storage can quickly compromise hay quality, especially alfalfa. Alfalfa hay is nutrient-rich but highly sensitive to moisture making it prone to mold and spoilage if not stored correctly.
Because of this, relying solely on alfalfa hay isn’t always practical or safe in the Mid-South. Moldy or dusty hay can cause respiratory issues or digestive disturbances, so quality control is key. Many horse owners instead opt for a combination of grass hay (such as Bermuda, timothy, or orchard grass) with alfalfa pellets, cubes, or bagged complete feeds to provide the nutrients alfalfa offers without the storage risk.
Grass Hay: The Foundation of the Diet
Grass hay should make up the foundation of most horses’ diets. It provides essential fiber, helps maintain healthy gut motility, and supports overall digestive health. High-quality grass hay is often lower in calories and protein than alfalfa, which makes it suitable for easy keepers, older horses on maintenance programs, or those prone to weight gain.
For performance horses that require more calories or protein, grass hay alone may not provide enough nutrition. That’s where supplementing with alfalfa alternatives or complete feeds becomes essential. Always choose hay that is clean, dry, and free of mold or excessive dust, and test your hay periodically to understand its nutritional profile.
Alfalfa Pellets and Cubes: Convenient and Safe Alternatives
When proper hay storage is an issue, alfalfa pellets and cubes are excellent options. They offer the same nutritional benefits of alfalfa hay, a high-quality protein, calcium, and energy but in a form that’s easier to store and manage in humid climates.
Cubes should be fed soaked in water 30 minutes to one hour prior to feeding to create a soft, mash-like texture that reduces choking risk and encourages hydration. Pellets, on the other hand, are ideal for mixing into feed for horses that need smaller, controlled portions. These forms are dust-free and less likely to mold, making them a great substitute for horses that require the added protein and calories of alfalfa without the storage concerns.
Alfalfa cubes and pellets can replace part or all of the hay ration depending on the horse’s needs, but it’s still important to maintain enough long-stem forage for proper digestive function and chewing activity.
Bagged Complete Feeds: Convenience with Balanced Nutrition
Bagged complete feeds from trusted brands like Purina, Nutrena, and Triple Crown can simplify feeding programs during the cooler months. Unlike traditional grain mixes, complete feeds contain both roughage and concentrates in one balanced formula making them ideal for horses with limited hay access or poor forage quality.
These feeds are formulated to deliver consistent nutrition, including digestible fiber, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. They’re especially beneficial for senior horses with dental issues or performance horses that need a controlled calorie source without fluctuating forage quality.
For horses that still have access to hay, complete feeds can be used as a supplemental calorie source rather than a total replacement. The Full Circle veterinary team is available to suggest the right formulation for your horse’s age, workload, and metabolism.
Oats and Other Traditional Grains
Oats remain a time-tested energy source for many horses. They’re highly palatable and provide quick energy, which can be useful for working horses. However, oats are lower in calcium and certain vitamins compared to complete feeds and should be used as part of a balanced program rather than a sole feed source.
If you feed oats, make sure your horse’s diet includes adequate forage, minerals, and a protein source such as alfalfa pellets or a ration balancer. Mixing oats with a fortified grain or pellet feed can help ensure that your horse’s diet remains nutritionally complete.
Finding the Right Mix for Your Horse
Every horse has their own needs, and the best feeding program depends on factors such as age, breed, workload, metabolism, and overall health. In general, aim for a balanced combination of forage and concentrates that maintains consistent body condition throughout the cooler months.
For many horses in the Mid-South, a practical and effective feeding plan might include a base of good quality grass hay, a portion of alfalfa pellets or cubes for added protein and calories, a complete feed such as Purina or Nutrena for nutritional balance and convenience, and oats or other grains for horses in heavy work or needing extra energy.
Always make dietary changes gradually over 7 to 10 days to allow the digestive system to adapt. Provide access to clean, unfrozen water at all times, as dehydration is a leading cause of winter colic. Adding salt or electrolyte supplements can encourage drinking during cold spells.
Bringing It Full Circle
Feeding your horse in the fall and winter is about more than keeping weight on, it’s about maintaining health, performance, and comfort as the environment changes. By understanding the challenges of hay storage in the Memphis area, and exploring alternatives such as bagged feeds, alfalfa cubes, and pellets, you can create a nutrition program that works for both you and your horse.
At Full Circle Equine we believe that expert care begins from the inside out. With thoughtful feeding strategies and professional guidance, your horse can thrive through the cooler months and be ready for a strong spring season ahead.
To schedule a nutrition consultation or wellness exam, contact Full Circle Equine where science, compassion, and experience come full circle for your horse’s success.