You can shop horse feed with NZ Tack's large selection of quality brands, both in the Tauranga saddlery or right here online for NZ wide delivery. We have curated a selection of the best quality horse feeds in New Zealand - and tailored special collections for horses with specific nutritional needs.
Grain Free Horse Feeds
If you're looking to avoid ulcers and other digestive issues like hind gut acidosis, or maybe even just weight control, minimising or eliminating grain from your horse's diet is a useful step.
Obviously our chaff selection is grain free - with the exception of Fiber Fresh Boost which contains kibbled barley - but we also offer a full collection of grain free horse feeds which are safe for horses who need to avoid grain.
These horse feeds do not contain any grain, and are a good option for any horses who need extra digestive care. Normally these are horses with ulcers, hind gut acidosis or other gut sensitivities which are affected by grain, but sometimes horse owners decide to avoid grain to help their horses maintain a healthy weight and avoid becoming overweight - which may in turn place them at risk of metabolic disorders like laminitis and cushings disease.
Why are high levels of grain in horse feed an issue for many horses?
Because grain is harder to digest, the horse's stomach can fail to break it down sufficiently and grain can pass through into the 30m long hind-gut, where it may affect the horse's gut microbiome by supporting the growth of unhelpful bacteria and altering the composition of the horse's gut biota toward a more acidic environment. This in turn can lead to hind gut ulcers, discomfort, stress and reactive behaviours. The risk of grain reaching the hind-gut is higher with whole grains which have not been micronised or crushed and steamed to assist digestion, or if the horse is fed a high percentage of grain in their feed.
Metabolic-Safe Horse Feeds
We'd like to start by saying that any horse with known metabolic issues or high risk factors should be seen ideally by both a vet and a nutritionist to ensure they get the best, individualised care and appropriate nutrition. Having said that, we have done our best to curate a selection of horse feeds that are generally safe for horses prone to excess weight gain and metabolic issues.
We also included the supplements that we believe are useful to know about if your horse has metabolic issues - but again, please consult your vet for the best advice for your horse's unique needs.
You can browse our Metabolic Care horse feeds and supplements here - these are all horse feeds and supplements designed to assist in supporting horses prone to excess weight gain (especially if you see cresty necks and fat pads), laminitis, cushings disease, and other metabolism related health issues in horses.
Soy Free Horse Feeds
Although soy horse feeds are a great source of protein for horses, if you are concerned about the possibility of high omega 6 levels and phytoestrogens contributing to digestive issues and inflammation, we have a range of soy free horse feeds for you.
Hard Feed for Horses
We have a large range of quality hard feeds for horses at NZ Tack, with top New Zealand feed brands like Dunstan, Hekeao, Harvest Grains, Hygain and Leg Up in store. You can collect your mash or hard feed in the Tauranga store or choose horse feed delivery at our special feed delivery rates.
Chaff for Horses
However you like your horses chaff, we have some great options, including ensiled chaff and chaff pellets. Loose chaff feed, chaff pellets and ensiled chaff are all a great complement to your horse's diet and help boost their daily forage levels for greater gut health and great condition.
Equine Supplements
Make sure to browse our large equine supplement range to complement your horse's feed. If you're looking for Vitamins and Minerals, check out the Wellbeing collection - this collection of quality equine supplements are chosen to support your horse's nutritional balance, and overall health... which leads to better condition, calmer behaviour and improved performance.
Horse Treats
Every good pony deserves a little treat... you can add a few tasty horse treats to your order here.
