Supplementary feed and mineral feed for horses: when, why and which feed is the right one

The basics of horse feeding

The right horse feed is crucial for your horse's health and performance. A balanced basis of high-quality hay, fresh water and sufficient grazing time forms the foundation. In addition, minerals, trace elements and vitamins play a key role in compensating for deficiencies and covering special needs. Whether leisure, sport or breeding horse - every feed should be individually adapted to avoid digestive problems, loss of performance and illness.

Find out more about optimal horse feeding in our detailed article: Horse feeding basics.

What is supplementary feed and mineral feed?

Feeding a horse is not just about hay, grass and water - horses often need additional special nutrients. This is where supplementary feed and mineral feed come into play.

What is supplementary feed?

Supplementary feed is used specifically to customize your horse's diet. It is not used for basic care, but supports special needs - be it for sporting requirements, health challenges or during the change of coat.

Application examples for supplementary feed:

• Supporting muscle development (e.g. with amino acids such as lysine or methionine).
• Promotion of hoof health, coat and skin (e.g. through biotin, brewer's yeast or omega-3 fatty acids).
• Relief of complaints such as osteoarthritis or stomach ulcers (e.g. through herbs or special nutrients).
• Calming of nervous horses (e.g. with magnesium).

What is mineral feed?

Mineral feed provides a basic supply of essential minerals and trace elements that are often not sufficiently present in the basic feed. It is the basic supplement to ensure your horse's long-term health.

Typical ingredients in mineral feed:

• Minerals: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus.
• Trace elements: Zinc, copper, selenium, iron.
• Vitamins (optional): Vitamin D3 or E, especially for special needs.

➡️ Video tip: In this video you can find out how feed supplements such as amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids or collagen can help your horse - from muscle building to healthier hooves and more stable nerves. We show you when supplements are useful, how they work and what you should look out for when choosing them.

Ingredients and their functions

The ingredients of supplementary and mineral feed provide important nutrients that are often insufficiently present in basic feed such as hay or grass.

Minerals - the basis for a healthy horse

• Calcium: Important for bones, teeth and muscle contraction.
• Phosphorus: Supports energy metabolism and bone growth.
• Magnesium: Calms the nervous system and promotes muscle relaxation - ideal for nervous horses.
• Sodium and potassium: regulate the water balance and are important for the electrolyte balance, especially in sport horses.

Trace elements - small amounts, big effect

• Zinc: Promotes healthy skin and coat, strengthens the immune system.
• Selenium: Has an antioxidant effect and protects the muscles.
• Copper: Crucial for the formation of connective tissue and pigmentation.
• Iron: Essential for oxygen transport in the blood, especially under increased stress.

Vitamins - targeted support

• Vitamin D3: Promotes calcium absorption and strengthens bones.
• Vitamin E: Protects the muscles from free radicals and improves regeneration.
• B vitamins: Support the metabolism, especially during the coat change.

➡️ Video tip: In this video, you can find out why vitamins are essential for your horse 's health and performance. From vitamin A to vitamin K - we show which vitamins perform which functions in the body and how you can ensure an optimal supply.

Additives for special applications

Additives are specifically formulated to meet individual challenges.

• Amino acids (e.g. lysine): Promote muscle building and regeneration.
• Biotin: Supports the growth of strong hooves and a shiny coat. 
• Brewer's yeast: Promotes healthy digestion and supports the metabolism, especially during coat changes.
• Herbal mixtures: Can be used for coughs, arthrosis or stomach problems. 
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Support skin health and have an anti-inflammatory effect, e.g. for joint problems.

When should you feed supplementary feed?

Feed supplements are ideal for supporting specific health or performance-related needs. Different products can be used depending on the situation:

Osteoarthritis and joint problems

• Products with anti-inflammatory herbs such as devil's claw are particularly useful.
• Supplementary feed with glucosamine, chondroitin or collagen helps to promote joint health.

Muscle building and regeneration

• Amino acids such as lysine or methionine stimulate muscle metabolism.
• Amino acids are essential for muscle developmenthoof and hair growth, connective tissue, the nervous system and many other processes in the horse's body. But which ones are particularly important and how do you ensure an optimal supply?

➡️ Video tip: In this video , Dr. Felicitas Drebes explains why targeted feeding is the key to health and performance.

• Supplements with vitamin E and magnesium also support muscle function.

➡️ Video tip: In this video, you can find out how clever training and the right nutrition can promote your horse' s muscle growth. Agricultural scientist Dr. Patricia Sitzenstock reveals which nutrients are particularly important and how you can optimally support your horse in building muscle.

Stomach ulcers and gastric sensitivity

• Horses with sensitive stomachs benefit from mash, linseed or herbs such as camomile and licorice root.
• Look out for grain-free products that are easy on the stomach.

➡️ Video tip: This video is all about the correct feeding for stomach-sensitive horses and horses with stomach ulcers. The wrong diet can quickly cause problems. Agricultural scientist and feed expert Dr. Patricia Sitzenstock explains what you need to look out for:

Coat change and skin health

• Supplementary feed with brewer's yeast, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc promotes a healthy coat and supports skin regeneration.

Hoof health

• Biotin, zinc and silica promote horn quality and ensure resistant hooves.

Nervousness and stress

• Magnesium, B vitamins and herbal mixtures can calm nervous horses and strengthen their resistance to stress . 

➡️ Video tip: In this video you can find out how the right diet can help nervous horses to become calmer and more balanced.

The right dosage

How much mineral feed does my horse need?

Mineral feed supplements the daily feed and ensures that important minerals and trace elements are not missing.

Basic requirements

An average leisure horse needs about 30-50 g of mineral feed per 100 kg of body weight per day. A 500 kg horse therefore needs approx. 150-250 g per day.

Special requirements

• Young horses: They have an increased need for calcium and phosphorus for bone growth.
• Sport horses: Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium must be supplemented after sweat loss due to intensive training.
• Sensitive horses (e.g. in the case of KPU, gastric ulcers): A specially formulated mineral feed is advisable here.

Avoidance of overdosing

Too much mineral feed can be harmful, e.g. due to selenium poisoning or a calcium-phosphorus imbalance. Follow the manufacturer's dosage recommendations exactly.

 Dosing of supplementary feed depending on the target

Tips for choosing the right mineral feed

Know your horse's needs

• Leisure horses: Often require a simple mineral feed.
• Sport horses: Have an increased need for electrolytes and magnesium.
• Seniors: Benefit from joint and bone support.
• Sensitive horses: Grain-free or organic mineral feed is particularly suitable.

Pay attention to the ingredients

• Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium should be balanced.
• Trace elements: Zinc, copper and selenium are essential.
• Organic compounds (e.g. chelates): More bioavailable and easier to absorb.

Common feeding mistakes

• Overdosing: more is not better - for example, too much magnesium or selenium can be harmful to your health.
• Non-specific feeding: Supplementary feed should always be used in a targeted manner.
• Wrong combination: Some ingredients block each other.
• Irregular feeding: For optimum effect, supplementary and mineral feed must be given regularly.

Our conclusion - supplementary feed and mineral feed for horses

Supplementary feed and mineral feed can help to support your horse individually and keep it healthy. Whether it's muscle building in horses, joint health in the case of osteoarthritis or special needs such as coat changes in spring - the right choice of feed makes all the difference.

Supplementary feed for horses: supplements such as magnesium, brewer's yeast, alfalfa or mash help specifically with issues such as muscle tension, hoof health or tendon support. There are calming supplements for nervous horses . Supplements with omega-3 fatty acids help to strengthen the skin, coat and joints.

Mineral feed for horses: High-quality products - whether grain-free, organic or especially for seniors - ensure a basic supply of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and trace elements such as zinc. Make sure you know which mineral feed your horse needs, e.g. in the case of CSF, stomach ulcers or metabolic problems.

You can meet your horse's individual needs with targeted feeding. From high-performance brands such as St. Hippolyt, Agrobs or Derby to natural and specialized supplements, there is a suitable solution for every horse.

The motto is: feed in a needs-oriented and balanced way. Supplement your basic feed (hay, roughage) sensibly and avoid overdosing. This will support your horse's health, energy and performance in the long term.

If you would like to find out more about horse feeding, take a look at our Academy. 

👉 You can find even more information here!

FAQs

What is mineral feed for horses?

Mineral feed provides your horse with important minerals such as calcium and magnesium as well as trace elements such as zinc and selenium. It compensates for nutrient deficiencies that cannot be fully covered by hay and grass.

When should you feed mineral feed?

Mineral feed is given daily, preferably after the main meal. This improves nutrient absorption and ensures a consistent supply of essential minerals and trace elements.

How much supplementary feed does my horse need?

The amount required depends on the product. The dosage for powder or pellets is usually between 10 and 50 g per day, depending on the size, weight and individual needs of the horse.

How much mineral feed does a horse need?

An average leisure horse requires around 30-50 g of mineral feed per 100 kg of body weight per day. Horses in intensive work or with special requirements such as illness often have a higher requirement.

Which supplementary feed for osteoarthritis in horses?

Supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin or MSM are recommended for osteoarthritis. These promote joint health and can relieve pain. Omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory herbs such as devil's claw are also helpful.

Which supplementary feed is suitable for building muscle in horses?

Products with amino acids such as lysine and methionine are suitable for muscle building. Supplements with vitamin E and selenium support muscle function and regeneration. Alfalfa is a natural source of protein and is also ideal.

What additional feed does my horse need during the shedding period?

During the shedding period, brewer's yeast, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids support hair growth, strengthen the skin and boost the metabolism. These ingredients make the transition easier and ensure a shiny coat.

Which mineral feed is right for my horse?

The choice of mineral feed depends on age, performance and state of health. Young horses need a lot of calcium for growth, while older horses often need joint protection and metabolic support. Sensitive horses benefit from grain-free or organic products.

Which mineral feed for KPU or stomach ulcers?

A mineral feed with a high zinc content and organic trace elements is ideal for horses with KPU (cryptopyrroluria). In the case of stomach ulcers, grain-free, stomach-friendly products that are gentle on the sensitive digestive tract should be used.

Can mineral and supplementary feed be combined?

Yes, mineral and supplementary feed can be combined, but be careful not to overdose. Check whether ingredients such as selenium or zinc overlap and adjust the quantities accordingly. Supplementary feed should cover specific needs, while mineral feed ensures the basic supply.