The title was brought to mind by a wise old surgery lecturer at vet college. It applies here!

I think I've heard more opinions on the subject of feeding horses than any other single subject I know.  Everybody has a tale to tell.  This says two things to me: a) None of them is right, and b) There is no one system that will suit every individual horse.

Saying that, I'm about to offer my opinion on the topic!   Here are my basic assumptions:

Horses are generally fed excess grain, sugar and calories for the type of work being asked of them.

Otherwise the diet is usually adequate in most cases.

Most horses have a 'weight problem'.

Light to medium work horses (hacks, show ponies, weekend competition animals) need a diet based on long fibre (hay and grass) and little else.

Heavy working horses (eventers, polo ponies, race horses) need a diet based on long fibre, but with energy supplementation to make up for the exercise demand.

Most horses are stressed (diet, housing, disease, socialisation or lack of socialisation, back or teeth pain, poorly fitting tack etc.) and are on poor grazing or have sub-optimal hay, they therefore need a good all-round mineral and vitamin supplement.

Given the above diet-related assumptions, it is not surprising that the problems we most commonly see in our equine companions are laminitis, colic, teeth and temperament.

When I look at any equine problem, I like to scrutinise the diet.  Horses are designed to be out grazing on the savannah, free from negative stress, trickle feeding for most of the day on grasses, weeds and herbs; not concentrated cereals.

I will be looking to manipulate aspects of the horse's diet and environment to promote health.  If you allow the horse to look after themselves, they will do it tremendously.  They have, after all, been doing it for thousands of years longer than us.