Forage on Your Track System
Selecting the right forage for a horse track system is essential for maintaining healthy horses and sustainable grazing. Because track systems encourage continuous movement, the type, placement, and quality of forage can influence weight management, hoof health, and overall wellbeing. Here’s how to ensure you provide the best forage for your setup:
Understand Your Horses’ Forage Needs: Different horses can have different dietary needs depending on age, workload, and metabolic conditions but they all have the same basic requirements of a high-fibre diet. In fact, their digestive system is uniquely adapted for a high-fibre diet. The hindgut, particularly the cecum and large intestine, hosts a rich population of microbes that break down fibre through fermentation, producing essential nutrients and energy. Unlike animals with simple stomachs, horses rely on a steady intake of fibrous feed to maintain gut health and prevent issues like colic and ulcers. Their digestive system functions best when they graze continuously, mimicking their natural feeding behaviour in the wild. A track system works best when it provides a slow, steady intake of fibre without excessive calories. Caregivers can then add in additional calories and nutrients for individuals as and when needed.
Select the Right Hay: Hay is the primary forage in many track systems, the best option is a high-fibre, low calorie hay such as meadow hay or late-cut hay. It is important to understand that different grass species will provide a different ratio of nutrients so avoid feeding too much of just one species. Rye grass species are more likely to be higher in sugars whereas alfalfa or sainfoin will provide more protein but have a less desirable phosphorous:calcium ratio so shouldn’t be fed in excess.
Getting your hay tested for sugar and starch levels if you have horses with metabolic conditions, is a sensible idea. Aim for non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) levels below 10% for at-risk horses. Testing for other nutrients is also possible but it’s important to remember that for all testing, it is only a snapshot of the whole hay crop you are using. Instead of trying to micro-manage nutrient intake by balancing vitamin and minerals to a laboratory report, provide a range of nutrients by allowing some access to herbs, hedgerow and trees allowing the horse to take what it needs. Allowing access to a variety of suitable forage and browse will mean your horse’s gut microbiome will have a more diverse range of microbes. A diverse range of gut microbes is essential for digestive health because different microbes specialise in breaking down various components of their high-fibre diet. This diversity improves digestion efficiency so the horse can extract maximum nutrients from forage. A well-balanced microbial population also helps maintain a stable gut environment, reducing the risk of digestive disorders like colic and diarrhoea. Additionally, a varied microbiome supports a strong immune system, as many beneficial microbes help protect against harmful bacteria and toxins. Feeding a consistent, fibre-rich diet promotes microbial diversity, keeping the horse’s digestive system functioning optimally.
Distribute Hay Feeders Along the Track: To mimic natural foraging behaviour, place multiple hay stations around the track to encourage movement.
- Use slow feeders or hay nets to extend feeding time and reduce wastage.
- Keep hay off the ground using bulk bins, nets, or raised troughs to prevent contamination.
- Rotate feeding locations to prevent excessive poaching in wet weather.
Supplement with Alternative Forage Sources: Forage diversity improves gut health and enrichment. Consider adding:
- Chopped hay or hay replacers for older horses or those with dental issues.
- Soaked (unmolassed) beet pulp or meadow hay nuts as a low-sugar source of fibre.
- Hedgerows or readily accessible browse plants like willow, hawthorn, or nettles for natural enrichment (make sure you check the environment well for toxic plants).
Because the main source of forage on a track system is hay, this means the stress of dealing with the seasonal changes in grass are dramatically reduced. No more monitoring pasture for fluctuating sugar levels, no more stressed grass, no more ‘fire-breathing dragon’ horses when spring grass arrives. By carefully selecting and managing forage, you can maintain a balanced diet for your horses while supporting their natural foraging behaviours. A well-planned track system provides continuous movement and access to fibre-rich forage, keeping horses healthier and satiated year-round.
