WE can all promise to improve our health by eating more greens and less chocolate as we venture into 2025, but what can we resolve to do for our horses?

Feed more forage

We all know that good-quality hay is the foundation of a healthy diet for your horse. Nutritionists recommend that a horse’s diet be at least 2% roughage, which means a 500kg horse needs at least 10kg of hay, a little more than half of a typical small square bale every day.

Hay keeps a horse’s digestive system working properly, controls his weight when it’s given instead of high-calorie concentrates, keeps him warm in winter by stoking his metabolism and gives him something to do with his time, reducing the risk he will develop behaviour problems. Not to mention, it only makes sense to base your horse’s diet on something he naturally evolved to eat.

Buy good-quality hay

This doesn’t mean it has to be packed with nutrients. In fact, if your horse is overweight, a less nutrient-rich forage (combined with a vitamin and mineral supplement, if necessary) is a wise choice. But the hay must be dust-free and fairly leafy. Coarse, stemmy hay won’t be eaten, and mouldy hay can cause respiratory problems. Take a critical look at the hay you’ve been feeding and start shopping around for alternative supplies, if the quality isn’t all it could be.

There are situations in which it’s just impossible to feed more hay. It could be a supply or storage problem, or an older horse whose teeth are too worn down to chew forage. In these cases, you can supply the needed roughage in other forms. Alfalfa pellets and complete feeds, for example, can provide the same amount of forage as traditional hay. They don’t always provide the “chew time” that a flake will, but in some situations these alternatives are an ideal solution to hay problems.

Increase your horse’s turnout time

It’s been scientifically proven that horses on full turnout are naturally more fit, colic less, have fewer respiratory issues, grow stronger hooves and tend to be less flighty when ridden. But the reality of bringing in your wet, muddy horse in a wild Irish winter can be really off-putting. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing and your horse can benefit from even a few extra hours of turnout each day. So resolve to increase your horse’s turnout time by any amount you can.

If you know you won’t be riding your stabled horse for a few days, leave him out in the pasture during that time. If he’s got an adequate winter coat, companionship, a source of forage, water and shelter from the wind, he’ll do just fine.

When you’re riding again regularly, you can go back to the regular stable routine. Even small increases in turnout will yield positive results.

Maintain your horse at a healthy weight

Equine obesity is now epidemic. Recent research showed that about 54% of horses are dangerously overweight, but their owners did not recognise the problem. A horse who is overweight is at a higher risk of any number of diseases and conditions. Extra pounds carry a high price: horses who are overweight are more prone to joint disease, metabolic conditions and potentially deadly laminitis. Making the resolution to keep your horse’s weight under control will require adjusting your own perceptions, as well as your horse’s lifestyle.

The first step is to review the Body Condition Score System and determine for yourself what your horse’s score is. If you’re unsure, ask your veterinarian for an unbiased assessment. Diet changes probably won’t be enough to slim down an extremely fat horse, so you’ll also need to increase his exercise. More turnout with an active herd is a great start, but it won’t be as effective as under-saddle workouts four or more days a week. Again, consult with your veterinarian to map out a progressive conditioning/weight loss exercise regimen for your horse.

If you can’t ride as often as necessary, consider part-leasing your horse to a trusted rider or just sharing him with a friend looking for a regular mount.

There’s nothing magical about January 1st that makes change any easier, but it’s as good a milestone as any for giving it a try. If you’ve been toying with the idea of adjusting your horse-keeping habits, why not focus on those instead of the same old resolutions?