Feeding Your Horse Economically This Winter: Money-Saving Tips for Savvy Dressage Owners
With prices continually increasing, our Winter Championship sponsors SPILLERS share a few practical ways to save a few precious pennies, without compromising your horse’s health or your BD training plans.
Winter is well and truly here. The clocks have changed, the mornings are frosty and most of us are juggling schooling sessions around the limited daylight. Add to that the rising cost of living - and the inevitable rug tears, lost shoes, and extra bedding - and it’s no surprise many owners are looking for ways to keep costs under control.
Forage: Don’t Waste It!
Would you believe almost 30% of forage gets thrown on the muck heap? Literally a heap of wasted hay and wasted money! If your horse loves to scatter it through their bedding, changing how you feed it may help save wastage. Haynets, small-holed nets, and hay boxes are brilliant for keeping forage clean and off the floor.
If you’re handy with tools, you could even build a safe, sturdy hay feeder yourself—a one-time job that can save you money all winter.
There’s also been louder-than-usual chatter this year about forage prices and availability. Some regions have plenty; others have struggled after the drier British summer. Speak to your regular suppliers, plan ahead, and budget realistically for the season. Most importantly, don’t waste the forage you’ve already bought!
Weighing Forage: A Little Effort, Big Savings
Weighing your horse’s forage might feel like an extra job on cold evenings, but it can make a huge difference - both for their waistline and your wallet.
If you have a good doer, work out how much forage they need to maintain a healthy condition, and stick to it. Monitor your horse’s weight regularly, body condition score every couple of weeks, or use a weigh tape weekly. If they start creeping up, reduce their ration gradually.
Just remember horses should receive no less than 1.5% of their bodyweight in dry matter if they’re in all day and have no grazing.
Straw: The Fibrous Win for Good Doers
For horses who don’t need the extra calories over winter, clean, good-quality straw can be a cost-effective way to bulk out their forage ration and keep them chewing for longer. It’s particularly helpful for horses who eat their forage very quickly and end up with long gaps until their net portion.
Any straw is suitable so long as it’s clean and of good quality. Introduce it slowly, ensure teeth are in good health, and avoid feeding it to horses prone to colic. For many, though, it’s a wallet-friendly option which keeps them happily munching without piling on the pounds.
Streamline That Feed Bucket!
Winter is the perfect time to re-evaluate your horse’s bucket feed, especially before the new training season begins. The SPILLERS Care-Line speaks to many owners who are feeding a little bit of this, a scoop of that, and a handful of something else “just in case.” It all adds up - both nutritionally and financially.
SPILLERS nutritionists specialise in simplifying diets, so your horse gets everything they need without unnecessary extras, often saving owners money in the process.
A Smart, All-in-One Option
SPILLERS Supple & Senior Balancer is a great example of a feed that combines multiple supplements into one bag. It provides essential vitamins and minerals, quality protein, biotin, glucosamine, MSM, omega-3 fatty acids, and pre- and probiotics, meaning you may not need to buy separate supplements at all.
You may also be able to save by using a chaff with built-in vitamins and minerals. For example, rather than feeding 3kg of cubes or mix plus a plain chaff, you could feed 2kg of SPILLERS Digest+ Conditioning Cubes and 1kg of SPILLERS Conditioning Fibre. You’d still meet your horse’s nutritional needs but in a more cost-effective way.
Happy Horses, Happy Wallets
Winter is full of joyful surprises - frozen taps, wet rugs, and endless mud - but with a little planning and a few clever feeding strategies, you can keep your horse healthy and your costs under control. The more you save on waste, the more you can put towards lessons, arena hire, and BD entries when the season picks up again.
Here’s to a sound, healthy, and cost-effective winter with your horse.
Need Help? SPILLERS are Here for You!
Not sure how much forage your horse really needs? Want help adjusting their diet around their training schedule? SPILLERS friendly nutrition team are always on hand to help with tailored, affordable advice. Call them today on 01908 226626 or fill in their enquiry form here.