Forage-first message returns to the center of equine nutrition

A new report from The Horse highlights a familiar but often underemphasized message in equine care: forage should remain the foundation of the horse’s diet. The May 1 article, written by Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, summarizes a presentation by equine nutrition consultant Clair Thunes, MS, PhD, PAS, at Kemin Industries’ 2026 EquiSUMMIT, where Thunes argued that modern feeding practices have drifted away from the horse’s biology as a continuous fiber fermenter. The piece points to practical decision points for veterinarians and nutrition advisers, including hay testing, nonstructural carbohydrate screening for metabolic horses, and pasture management standards such as resting grazed pasture until it returns from about 4 inches to 6-8 inches. (thehorse.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the article is less about a new clinical breakthrough than a renewed push toward first-principles nutrition. Thunes’ recommendations align with broader guidance from academic and professional sources that horses should receive at least 1% of body weight in roughage daily, with forage making up at least half, and often most, of the ration. That matters in everyday case management for obesity, insulin resistance, laminitis risk, gastric ulcer prevention, and colic, especially when pet parents or barns over-rely on concentrates without first evaluating forage quality and intake. AAEP and university extension sources also stress that hay quality is not just about nutrient content, but hygienic quality and horse-specific suitability. (thehorse.com)

What to watch: Expect this forage-first framing to keep showing up in equine education and practice, especially around metabolic disease, hay analysis, and pasture management as clinicians head deeper into the 2026 grazing season. (thehorse.com)