Ration —
22 January 2026
When should you choose Voermeesters By Nature?
The new Voermeesters By Nature product range of Voermeesters, goes back to the origins of what your horse truly needs to stay healthy and balanced. Its unique Mix & Match concept makes Voermeesters By Nature suitable for all horses, from leisure and sport horses to broodmares.
“Good-quality forage combined with a basic cube is generally sufficient for healthy horses in light work,” explains Voermeesters nutritionist Wendy Warmerdam. “At a livery yard, horses are often fed a basic cube selected by the yard owner, a general feed that is suitable for many horses. But your horse isn’t ‘standard’! After all, every horse is different.”
Essentials and Toppings
“A horse that is trained more frequently and intensively needs more energy,” Wendy explains. “A broodmare, on the other hand, requires different nutritional support. Older horses also have different nutritional needs. A basic cube alone is not sufficient for all these different horses. That is why Voermeesters By Nature has developed a system consisting of four basic cubes (Essentials), which can be supplemented with Toppings. This makes it easy to put together the ideal diet for your horse.”
The overview below provides guidance on which Essential best suits your horse’s individual situation.
Wendy uses three different horses as examples
With Voermeesters By Nature, you can put together a ration based on what your horse needs at that particular time. From maintenance to sport, and from growth to pregnancy, your horse always receives a carefully considered nutritional foundation. The following examples show how this works in practice.
Sport horse (1.20–1.25 m showjumping)
This showjumper competes at 1.20–1.25 m level once every two or three weeks. Twice a week, the horse and rider have a private or group training session, while another three days a week they train independently. The horse also goes on a longer hack or trains on a gallop track. One day a week is reserved for rest or some light lunging. The horse uses the horse walker every day and spends several hours in a paddock or field. For the rest of the day, it is stabled on wood shavings. Wendy explains: “This is a sport horse with a fairly demanding training schedule. Because of its increased energy requirements, this horse definitely needs additional feed alongside its forage. If the owner prefers not to overcomplicate the ration (Simple & Easy), I would recommend feeding 2 kg of Voermeesters Daily Performance alongside the forage.
Mix & Match is also an option. By feeding 1 kg of Voermeesters Daily Performance combined with 400 grams of Voermeesters Power+, you can meet this horse’s nutritional requirements.
Leisure horse
This horse is ridden every day, mainly for dressage, with the occasional jump. At weekends, the rider takes the horse out into the forest. Depending on the weather, these rides may last anywhere from one to several hours. The horse spends most of its time outside in the paddock or field when sufficient grass is available. It has access to good-quality forage throughout the day, including at night when it is stabled. Wendy’s advice: “With 2 kg of Voermeesters Daily Balance, this horse can easily cope with the level of work described here. However, if the owner prefers not to feed concentrates (Back2Basic), feeding just 200 grams of Voermeesters Vitality+ is also an option. This supplements the nutrients that may be lacking in the horse’s forage.”
Pregnant broodmare
A broodmare that is ten months pregnant requires a different feeding approach. She is not being worked and spends the day in the field with other mares. If there is insufficient grass available, she has access to plenty of forage. “A mare expecting a foal in spring 2026 is, in a sense, also hard at work, particularly during the final months of pregnancy. This mare can be fed 3 kg of Voermeesters Daily Breed, but her requirements can also be met with 2 kg of Voermeesters Daily Breed combined with 200 grams of Voermeesters Vitality+. It is not possible to feed this mare using Toppings alone, as this would not fully meet her nutritional requirements.”
Individual feeding advice
Wendy emphasises that these horses are only examples. “Every individual horse needs feeding advice tailored to its specific situation. Recommendations depend on many variables, particularly the quality and quantity of forage provided, the horse’s workload and its body condition. It is also important to remember that horses should have continuous access to fresh drinking water and a salt lick to meet their sodium requirements. These requirements can also vary from horse to horse.” A forage analysis is recommended to determine the quality and nutritional value of your forage.
More information about Voermeesters By Nature?
Read our blog Natural and honest feeding with Voermeesters By Nature or request personalised nutritional advice for your horse or pony.