Mineral feed for Icelandic horses

Full of strength & energy: What to consider when feeding Icelandic horses

Icelandic horses are robust, but their mineral requirements differ significantly from those of other horse breeds . Their original habitat in Iceland, characterized by barren pastures and a mineral-rich volcanic landscape, has also adapted their metabolic processes. Icelandic horses require a feed that

• which covers demand,
• but at the same time not excessive.

Excessive amounts of high-energy feed or incorrectly dosed minerals can disrupt an Icelandic horse's metabolism . In the long run, the wrong mineral feed could also cause problems for the Icelandic horse.

For this reason , it is important to use specially formulated mineral feed for Icelandic horses to meet the specific needs of this breed.

Dosage and feeding recommendations

For optimal nutrition, Icelandic horses require feed that is individually dosed . Too much of a good thing could lead to oversupply and thus problems or obesity.

The perfect dosage depends on many factors such as:

🐴 Age

🐴 Husbandry

🐴 Performance requirements

🐴 Health status

Consult a veterinarian or equine nutritionist for the right mineral feed for your Icelandic horse to avoid overfeeding. A balanced Icelandic horse feed should also always include sufficient hay and fresh water, as mineral feed is a supplement, not a substitute for food.

What minerals does an Icelandic horse need?

Icelandic horses require a particularly good supply of trace elements such as:

• zinc
• copper
• selenium

In Central European soils, these trace elements are often not present in sufficient quantities.

Also important:

• Magnesium to prevent muscle tension
• Calcium and phosphorus to support bones and teeth

Make sure that the mineral feed for Icelandic horses is precisely tailored to these specific needs and does not contain unnecessary fillers or excessive amounts of unnecessary minerals.

When can supplementing Icelandic horses with mineral feed be useful?

Additional feeding with mineral feed is useful for Icelandic horses if they do not receive sufficient minerals from pasture grass or basic feed.

The Icelandic horse's mineral requirements are particularly high during the winter , during periods of increased training, or after illness . A deficiency in important minerals can manifest itself in brittle hooves, dull coats, or even a decrease in performance.