Understanding Your Horse’s Fibre Needs as Temperatures Drop

Team Parallax
Nov 30
3 min read

Why winter feeding starts with good fibre and how slow feeders support a healthy gut.

As horse owners, we all recognise that winter brings a shift in how our horses eat, behave, and use energy. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and reduced grazing make fibre intake more important than ever. But understanding why fibre matters—and how to maintain healthy levels through the winter months—can make a significant difference in your horse’s wellbeing.

Why Fibre Is Essential for Horses Year-Round

Horses are natural trickle-feeders, designed to graze for 16–18 hours per day and fibre is the most important part of their digestive system. Some key roles that fibre has are:

It supports gut motility by keeping the digestive tract moving.
It produces heat during fermentation, helping horses stay warm naturally.
It stabilises blood sugar and energy levels, reducing stress and behavioural issues.
It helps prevent colic, especially during colder weather when dehydration and reduced movement increase risk.

Without consistent fibre intake, a horse’s digestive system becomes vulnerable—and winter only amplifies this challenge.

Winter Challenges: Why Fibre Intake Drops

From November onwards, most horses experience:

Reduced grazing due to poor pasture quality.
Shorter turnout hours, limiting natural forage time.
Greater energy requirements to maintain body temperature.
Higher risk of dehydration, slowing the gut and increasing colic risk.

This is where owners need to step in with a structured fibre plan that keeps horses eating slowly, steadily, and safely.

How Much Fibre Does Your Horse actually Need in Winter?

As a general guide:

Horses should consume 1.5–2.5% of their bodyweight in forage per day.
For a 500kg horse, that’s 7.5–12.5kg of hay daily.
During colder spells, horses may need 10–20% more fibre for thermal energy.

But equally important is how horses eat that fibre.

Why Slow Feeding is Essential for Winter Gut Health

Fast consumption of hay can lead to long gaps between feeding, causing:

Gut acidity
Stress and boredom
Increased risk of ulcers
Problems like gorging and choke
Energy spikes and dips

Slow feeding mimics natural grazing by stretching hay intake over many hours. This keeps the digestive system functioning optimally while supporting behavioural and metabolic health.

So How do Slow Feeders Support Healthy Fibre Intake?

At Parallax Equestrian, we design products that encourage natural, steady forage consumption—exactly what winter feeding requires. Ideal for stables and shelters where you want controlled, continuous access to forage. With benefits including

Maintaining steady gut function
Reducing anxiety and stable vices
Keeping hay clean and contained

Two of our bests sellers not only make feeding easier—they actively promote the long-term digestive and mental health of your horse.

🟣 Hay Play

A durable, enrichment-focused feeder that rolls gently around the field or stable.Benefits:

Encourages natural grazing habits
Keeps horses moving (even in small turnout areas)
Provides mental stimulation during long winter stabling hours

🟢 Haysaver

Perfect for reducing waste while controlling intake.Benefits:

Horses get consistent fibre without inhaling large mouthfuls
Helps prevent digestive upset from fast eating
Saves on hay costs during the already-expensive winter season

Winter Feeding Summary

✔ Horses need more consistent fibre in winter✔ Fibre keeps them warm through fermentation✔ Slow feeding protects gut health and prevents colic✔ Parallax slow feeders support natural, steady intake

Final Thoughts

Winter feeding doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding your horse’s fibre needs and using slow feeders to maintain a natural eating pattern, you can support their digestion, behaviour, and comfort throughout the cold months.

If you’re looking to improve your horse’s winter routine, the Parallax slow-feeding range is designed to make healthier eating effortless—for both you and your horse. Want to know more? Pop us a message in the chat function to answer your questions!