19. Does My Horse Need Grain?
Happy Horse Nutrition23 Sep 2025

19. Does My Horse Need Grain?

Join PhD equine nutritionist Dr. Nerida as she tackles one of horse owners' most pressing questions: does my horse actually need grain? This comprehensive equine nutrition episode breaks down the science behind horse grain feeding, revealing why most horses don't need grain at all - and the specific cases where they do.


What You'll Learn:

  • The ONLY reason to feed grain to horses (it's simpler than you think)
  • Which horses should NEVER have grain (insulin dysregulation, PPID, metabolic syndrome)
  • How grain feeding can cause laminitis, colic, behavioral issues, and gut dysbiosis
  • The "Absolutely Not, No, Maybe, Yes" framework for determining if YOUR horse needs grain
  • Safe grain feeding amounts: maximum limits to prevent hindgut damage
  • Why cooked grains are essential (except for oats) and which processing methods work best
  • Real-world examples from racehorses, yearlings and broodmares


Key Takeaways: Dr. Nerida reveals her ideal maximum of just 0.5kg grain per 100kg body weight (that's only 2.5kg for a 500kg horse!) and explains why performance actually improves when grain is reduced, not increased. She also busts the myth that overweight, lazy horses need more grain - often it's exactly the opposite.

Perfect for horse owners who want evidence-based nutrition advice without the confusion. Whether you're dealing with a good doer, a hard keeper, or a performance horse, this episode gives you the tools to make informed feeding decisions.


Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://www.myhappy.horse

And ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review! It really helps us to get grounded, science-based information to horse owners… and it is their horses who benefit the most! ❤️

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