10 feeding mistakes to avoid before you ride
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Read time 4 min
Table of contents
Key Takeaways 01 | Riding on an empty stomach 02 | Assuming turnout means they've eaten enough 03 | Not offering hay before you ride 04 | Tacking up while they stand doing nothing 05 | Feeding cereals instead of fibre 06 | Forgetting snacks on long rides 07 | Travelling to a competition without enough forage 08 | Thinking chopped fibre is always the same as hay 09 | Saving all the forage until after you've ridden 10 | Waiting until there's a problem Conclusion
KEY TAKEAWAY
Feed forage before you ride: Offering hay before exercise encourages chewing and saliva production, helping support normal digestive function.
Don't rely on turnout alone: During periods of poor grazing, horses may eat far less fibre than you realise, even if they've been out all day.
Make fibre part of your routine: Consistent access to forage before work is one of the simplest ways to support digestive comfort, particularly when grazing is limited.
Don't make these feeding mistakes before you ride, small changes to your feeding routine can make a big difference.
01 | Riding on an empty stomach
Horses produce stomach acid continuously, even when they're not eating. If there is very little forage in the stomach, acid is more likely to splash onto the sensitive upper part during exercise, especially when trotting, cantering and jumping.
Offering forage before exercise encourages chewing and saliva production, helping support the horse’s natural digestive processes.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
02 | Assuming turnout means they've eaten enough
Just because your horse has been in the field all day does not mean they have had enough fibre. During periods of poor grazing, horses may consume far less than expected and could be starting work with a relatively empty stomach.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
03 | Not offering hay before you ride
One of the simplest things you can do is offer a small haynet around 20–30 minutes before exercise.
For an average 500kg horse, around 1–2kg of hay can encourage chewing without becoming a full meal. Hay is particularly useful before exercise as long-stem fibre encourages more chewing and saliva production than hard feed.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
04 | Tacking up while they stand doing nothing
Instead of tying your horse up with nothing to eat, allow them to nibble hay while you groom and tack up.
More chewing means more saliva production, helping support the horse’s natural ability to buffer stomach acid.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
05 | Feeding cereals instead of fibre
If choosing between forage or a cereal-based bucket feed immediately before exercise, fibre is the better option.
Long-stem forage is much better suited to supporting digestive comfort before work because it encourages chewing and saliva production.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
06 | Forgetting snacks on long rides
Heading out for several hours? Remember your horse’s digestive system is designed around regular fibre intake.
If stopping for a break, allow grazing where it is safe or offer a little hay. A short fibre break helps maintain normal eating behaviour.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
07 | Travelling to a competition without enough forage
Travelling often means horses go longer between eating.
Keeping hay available before loading and during travel, where safe to do so, helps maintain normal chewing behaviour and supports digestive comfort before they arrive.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
08 | Thinking chopped fibre is always the same as hay
Chopped fibre feeds can be useful, but they do not always provide the same chewing time as long-stem forage.
If you have the choice before riding, hay or haylage is usually the better option for encouraging chewing and saliva production
Image from Blue Chip Feed
09 | Saving all the forage until after you've ridden
Many owners wait until they have finished riding before offering hay.
However, horses are likely to benefit from having fibre available before exercise rather than waiting until afterwards.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
10 | Waiting until there's a problem
Good stomach management is not just for horses with diagnosed issues.
Supporting digestive health through consistent forage management and a fibre-first approach is sensible for all ridden horses, particularly when grazing is poor.
Image from Blue Chip Feed
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take forage with me to competitions or long rides?
Yes. If your horse is travelling or away from the yard for several hours, taking enough forage helps maintain their normal routine throughout the day.
Is turnout enough to prepare my horse for exercise?
Not always. During poor grazing conditions, horses may consume far less fibre than expected, so offering forage before riding can still be beneficial.
Is chopped fibre the same as feeding hay before riding?
No. While chopped fibre has its place, long-stem forage like hay encourages more chewing and saliva production before exercise.
Conclusion
With grazing becoming increasingly sparse across many parts of the UK, many horses are spending longer periods with less access to the fibre they naturally rely on.
While turnout is still hugely beneficial, a horse standing in a field does not always mean they have eaten enough. Short, dry grass can leave horses with less fibre in their digestive system than owners realise and this is especially important before exercise.
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Blue Chip Feed
Blue Chip Feed
Written by: Laura Cackett
Managing Director at Blue Chip and has over 25 years’ experience in the equestrian industry. Passionate about horse welfare and nutrition. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise to help horse owners make informed feeding decisions.
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