Natural horse keeping is the goal, but look at your horse!

Our goal is to bring horses closer to nature. Therefore, our aim is that horses are kept as naturally as possible. Of course, it is important to consider your horse and its specific needs. Not all horses thrive on being outside 24/7, just like not all horses can handle being in a stall for a few hours.

So, don't focus solely on the idea that your horse must live naturally, but pay close attention to your horse. Here are some tips to keep your horse natural.

Tip 1: Thin/poor quality roughage to allow for unlimited feeding

Horses naturally eat sparse. Not grass that is fertilized multiple times a year with artificial fertilizers, but grass that is juicy for a short period and then becomes fibrous and withered. Lots of herbs, twigs, tree bark, and bushes. And this for about 20 hours a day, taking a bite with every step. Therefore, it is logical that many horses cannot eat unlimited amounts of the roughage that we provide them.

For many horses/ponies, you can offer the opportunity for unlimited feeding, provided that you adjust the roughage! Thin/poor quality hay is the key. Low in energy, sugar, and protein. Roughage consisting mainly of fibers that the horse has to work hard to digest. This can be partly supplemented with a bit of barley straw, twigs, bushes, trees. Especially if this is done in slow feeders and given in different places in the paddock. This stimulates movement and requires the horse to "work" to eat.

Tip 2: Maximize outdoor time

Unfortunately, there are still places where horses are kept indoors for 23 hours a day (in the winter) and only come out of the stable when the owner is present. Often, this means that the horse has to work and there is no freedom of movement and choice in movement. Therefore, choose a stable where your horse gets plenty of freedom of movement. Where your horse only comes in the stable for the night or even stays outside 24/7. Not all horses are happy being outdoors 24/7, some horses prefer peace at night. But make sure your horse is outside for at least 12 hours during the day. And even horses that are in high-level sports need sufficient freedom of movement and the opportunity to be outside.

Tip 3: Provide at least one companion

Horses are herd animals and social contact with each other is extremely important for their mental and physical health. Cuddling, presence, play fighting, running together, and sleeping together are essential parts of a horse's life. It creates friendships and provides safety. Therefore, make sure your horse is never alone and always has at least one companion. Also, ensure a stable herd with few changes. Because with every change, the hierarchy will be under pressure, causing an unstable group. And realize that horses need about a year to fully adapt to a new place and group. Introduce new horses calmly, don't just throw them in, and give them time to get used to each other.

Tip 4: Feed what your horse naturally eats

Horses naturally eat herbs and only what they can get at that moment. So not dandelion or nettles all year round. Horses actually eat according to the seasons, in spring and summer this often means an abundance of herbs and different types of grasses, and in winter more tree bark and twigs.

And a horse hardly eats any grain naturally, of course they come across a wheat plant occasionally and eat a few grains. But they eat the whole plant, making the starch from the grains negligible. Therefore, also consider the concentrate feed your horse receives. Naturally, a horse eats little sugar/starch, so make sure your concentrate feed is also low in sugars and starch (and therefore free of grains). And if there are herbs in your concentrate feed, switch regularly so you don't give the same herbs for months in a row. It is always advisable to stop the same herb every 6-8 weeks to prevent habituation and counteraction.

Not every horse is the same!

Don't focus blindly on natural horse keeping, but see what suits your horse. Is your horse developing behavioral problems? Then see if the management of the current stable can be adjusted, and if not, move your horse to a place where he/she can be happy. As horse owners, we can already take a few easy steps by adjusting the diet, allowing your horse to get closer to nature.

Each horse is unique and has its own needs; what works perfectly for one horse may not work at all for another. Therefore, never compare your horse to the neighbor's horse, but look specifically at the needs of your horse. We believe that every horse enjoys living as close to nature as possible. So, as much freedom of movement as possible, companions around them, and a safe environment with good nutrition.