Feed Program
The Feed Program helps you organize and track what each horse eats daily. Build your organization’s feed catalog once, then assign specific items to individual horses with customized quantities and frequencies.
How the Feed Program Works
The Feed Program uses a two-level system:
🗂️ Organization Feed Catalog
Create your organization’s master list of feeds:
- Grain/Concentrates: Pelleted feeds, sweet feeds, textured feeds
- Hay: Different types and cuttings
- Supplements: Vitamins, minerals, medications, joint supplements
This catalog is shared across your entire organization and used by all horses.
🐴 Individual Horse Feed Programs
Assign specific items from your catalog to each horse:
- Select which feeds this horse receives
- Set quantity per feeding
- Set feeding frequency (daily, twice daily, etc.)
- Add specific instructions
- Manually sort items in feeding order
Key Concept: You build the catalog once (all available feeds), then pick from it for each horse. This ensures consistency and makes it easy to update feed information in one place.
Building Your Feed Catalog
Start by creating your organization’s complete feed catalog.
Navigate to Feed Catalog
- Go to Settings → Feed Catalog
- Or from any horse’s Feed tab, click “Manage Feed Catalog”
Add Grain/Concentrates
Click ”+ Add Feed” and select Grain as the type.
Common Grain Types:
- Pelleted complete feeds (e.g., Triple Crown Senior, Purina Strategy)
- Sweet feeds (e.g., Nutrena SafeChoice)
- Textured feeds (e.g., Tribute Essential K)
- Specialty feeds (e.g., low-starch, senior, performance)
Information to Include:
- Feed Name: Specific product name and brand
- Type: Grain/Concentrate
- Manufacturer: Brand name
- Description: Key features or uses
- Default Unit: Pounds, scoops, cups, or quarts
- Cost per Unit (optional): For expense tracking
Tip: Include brand names in feed names for clarity: “Purina Strategy GX” instead of just “Strategy”
Add Hay Types
Click ”+ Add Feed” and select Hay as the type.
Common Hay Types:
- Timothy hay
- Orchard grass
- Alfalfa
- Mixed grass
- Coastal bermuda
- Second cutting timothy
- First cutting mixed grass
Information to Include:
- Feed Name: Type and cutting if applicable
- Type: Hay
- Source (optional): Farm or supplier name
- Description: Quality notes, protein %, cutting number
- Default Unit: Flakes, pounds, or sections
- Cost per Unit (optional)
Hay Naming Examples:
- “Timothy Hay (2nd cutting)”
- “Alfalfa Mix (80/20 Timothy)”
- “Orchard Grass (Local Farm)“
Add Supplements
Click ”+ Add Feed” and select Supplement as the type.
Common Supplement Categories:
- Vitamins/Minerals: Basic vitamin/mineral supplements
- Joint Supplements: Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM
- Digestive Aids: Probiotics, pre-biotics, ulcer preventatives
- Hoof Supplements: Biotin, zinc, methionine
- Senior Supplements: Comprehensive senior support
- Medications: Daily medications delivered in feed
Information to Include:
- Supplement Name: Specific product name
- Type: Supplement (with category in notes if helpful)
- Manufacturer: Brand name
- Description: Purpose and active ingredients
- Default Unit: Scoops, tablespoons, ounces, or servings
- Cost per Unit (optional)
Supplement Naming Examples:
- “Cosequin ASU (Joint)”
- “SmartPak SmartDigest Ultra”
- “Farrier’s Formula (Hoof Health)”
- “Adequan (Prescription - Daily)“
Review and Organize Catalog
After adding feeds:
- Review for completeness
- Check for duplicates
- Add any missing items
- Verify units are correct
You can always add more feeds later as needed.
Grain Examples
Sample Grain Catalog
Performance/Working Horses:
- Triple Crown Trainer’s Special (pellet)
- Nutrena SafeChoice Original (textured)
- Tribute Essential K (pelleted)
- LMF Super Supplement (complete feed)
Senior Horses:
- Triple Crown Senior (pelleted)
- Purina Equine Senior (textured)
- Nutrena SafeChoice Senior (textured)
- Dengie Alfa-A Complete (soaked)
Easy Keepers/Light Work:
- Triple Crown Lite (low NSC)
- Nutrena SafeChoice Special Care (low starch)
- Tribute Kalm Ultra (low starch/sugar)
High Performance:
- Triple Crown Growth (developing horses)
- Purina Ultium (race/competition)
- Nutrena ProForce Fuel (endurance)
Assigning Feeds to Horses
Once your catalog is built, assign specific feeds to individual horses.
Navigate to Horse’s Feed Program
- Go to Horses
- Select the horse
- Click the Feed tab
Add a Feed Item
Click ”+ Add Feed Item” to open the assignment form.
Select from Catalog
Choose a feed from your organization’s catalog:
- Browse by type (Grain, Hay, Supplement)
- Or search by name
- Select the feed to add
Set Quantity and Unit
Specify how much the horse gets:
Quantity: The amount per feeding
- Numbers (e.g., 2, 1.5, 0.25)
- Fractions are supported
Unit: What you’re measuring
- Defaults to the feed’s catalog unit
- Can be changed for this horse if needed
- Common units: lbs, scoops, cups, quarts, flakes, sections, tablespoons
Examples:
- 3 lbs Triple Crown Senior
- 2 scoops Tribute Essential K
- 5 flakes Timothy Hay (2nd cutting)
- 1 tablespoon Cosequin ASU
Set Frequency
How often the horse receives this feed:
Common Frequencies:
- Once Daily: Single feeding (e.g., PM supplements)
- Twice Daily: Most common (AM/PM)
- Three Times Daily: Horses needing more frequent meals
- Free Choice: Hay available 24/7
- As Needed: PRN items or conditional feeding
Total Daily Amount: If a horse gets “2 lbs” of grain “twice daily”, the total daily amount is 4 lbs. EquineOps calculates this automatically.
Add Feeding Instructions
Include any special instructions for this feed item:
Instruction Examples:
- “Soak for 15 minutes before feeding”
- “Mix with applesauce”
- “Feed in slow feeder”
- “Top dress on hay”
- “Give with AM feed only”
- “Increase by 1 lb per week until at 6 lbs”
Save Feed Item
Click “Save” to add the item to this horse’s feed program.
Quick Editing: All feed items can be edited by clicking on them - a dialog opens so you can update quantity, frequency, or instructions without leaving the page.
Building a Complete Horse Feed Program
Start with Base Feed (Grain/Concentrate)
Add the horse’s primary grain or complete feed:
- Select the grain type
- Set quantity per feeding
- Set frequency (usually twice daily)
- Add any mixing instructions
Example:
- Feed: Triple Crown Senior
- Quantity: 3
- Unit: lbs
- Frequency: Twice daily
- Instructions: “Soak for 10 minutes for better digestion”
Add Hay
Add hay types the horse receives:
Option 1: Specific Daily Amount:
- Feed: Timothy Hay (2nd cutting)
- Quantity: 4
- Unit: flakes
- Frequency: Twice daily
Option 2: Free Choice:
- Feed: Mixed Grass Hay
- Quantity: (leave blank or note “unlimited”)
- Frequency: Free choice
- Instructions: “Available 24/7 in slow feeder”
Add Supplements
Add each supplement individually:
Example 1 - Joint Supplement:
- Feed: Cosequin ASU
- Quantity: 1
- Unit: scoop
- Frequency: Twice daily
- Instructions: “Top dress on grain”
Example 2 - Daily Medication:
- Feed: Previcox (NSAID)
- Quantity: 227
- Unit: mg (specify in instructions if needed)
- Frequency: Once daily
- Instructions: “Give with PM feed. Prescription required for refills.”
Manually Sort Items
Arrange feed items in the order you want them displayed:
- Drag and drop items to reorder
- Common sort order:
- Grain/concentrate first
- Hay next
- Supplements last
- Or sort by feeding frequency:
- AM feeds
- PM feeds
- All-day feeds
Why Sort?: Feed lists displayed to staff show items in your chosen order. Sort them in a logical feeding order to prevent mistakes.
Review Complete Program
Check the horse’s complete feed program:
- All necessary feeds included
- Quantities are correct
- Frequencies make sense
- Instructions are clear
- Items are in logical order
Viewing Feed Programs
Individual Horse Feed View
Each horse’s Feed tab displays:
Current Feed Program:
- All assigned feed items
- Quantities and frequencies
- Special instructions
- Total daily amounts calculated
Feed Program Summary (at top):
- Quick overview of daily feeds
- Total grain per day
- Total hay per day
- Number of supplements
Printable Feed Cards
Generate printable feed cards for:
- Individual horses
- Groups of horses
- Entire barn
Feed Cards Include:
- Horse name and stall
- Complete feed list with quantities
- Feeding frequencies
- Special instructions
Uses:
- Post in feed room
- Give to staff
- Share with new employees
- Backup during power outages
Feed Reports
Generate reports showing:
- All horses on a specific feed
- Supplement usage across barn
- Feed costs per horse
- Inventory needs
Batch Operations
Power Feature: Batch operations let you add or update feed items across multiple horses at once - perfect for seasonal supplements or organization-wide changes.
Adding Same Supplement to Multiple Horses
When you need to add a supplement to many horses at once (like adding a fly supplement to all horses in summer):
Open Batch Feed Assignment
- Go to Horses → Programs → Feed
- Click “Batch Add Supplement”
Select Horses
Choose which horses should receive this supplement:
- Select individual horses
- Select by group (all training horses, all boarders, etc.)
- Use “Select All” for entire barn
Choose Supplement
Select the supplement from your catalog
Set Default Quantity and Frequency
Set the typical amount and frequency:
- Most horses will use these defaults
- Can be customized per horse in next step
Customize Per Horse (Optional)
For horses needing different amounts:
- Adjust quantity
- Change frequency
- Add individual instructions
Save Batch Assignment
Click “Save” to add the supplement to all selected horses.
Seasonal Example: In spring, add SmartBug Off to all 25 horses in one batch operation. Set default of “2 scoops, once daily”, then customize the few horses that need different amounts.
Batch Updating Feed Amounts
When you need to adjust quantities across multiple horses:
Common Scenarios:
- Increasing winter hay amounts
- Reducing grain for horses in lighter work
- Adjusting supplement dosages
Process:
- Filter horses by the feed item
- Select horses to update
- Use batch update to change quantities
- Save changes
Managing Your Feed Catalog
Editing Feed Catalog Items
Update catalog items when information changes:
When to Edit:
- Manufacturer changes product name
- Cost per unit changes
- Description needs updating
- Default unit should change
How to Edit:
- Go to Settings → Feed Catalog
- Find the feed item
- Click “Edit”
- Make changes
- Save
Impact: Changes apply to all horses using this feed item going forward.
Important: Editing a catalog item updates it everywhere. If you need to track a different product, add a new catalog item instead.
Discontinuing a Feed
When you stop using a feed:
Don’t Delete: Deleting removes it from historical records.
Instead:
- Mark as “Discontinued” in the description
- Remove it from active horses
- Keep in catalog for historical records
Example: “Triple Crown Senior (DISCONTINUED - Switched to Purina Senior)“
Adding New Feeds
Add new feeds to the catalog anytime:
- New product becomes available
- You start using a different brand
- Special dietary feed is needed
- Seasonal feeds (senior mash for winter)
New catalog items are immediately available for assignment to horses.
Best Practices
Catalog Management
Be Specific: Use full product names and brands
- ✅ “Purina Ultium Competition Formula”
- ❌ “Performance feed”
Include Key Info: Add helpful details in descriptions
- “High fat, low starch. For hard-working horses.”
- “Senior complete feed. Can be soaked. 14% protein.”
Use Consistent Units: Pick one unit system and stick to it
- Decide: pounds vs. scoops vs. cups
- Document scoop sizes (“1 scoop = 1.5 lbs”)
Update Costs Regularly: Keep cost per unit current for accurate budgeting
Horse Feed Programs
Review Seasonally: Adjust feed programs as needs change
- Winter: Increase hay, possibly increase grain
- Summer: Adjust for pasture access
- Competition season: Performance feeds
- Off-season: Maintenance rations
Document Changes: Use instructions field to note:
- Recent changes and why
- Gradual increase/decrease plans
- Veterinary recommendations
- Weight management goals
Keep It Current: Update feed programs immediately when changes occur
- Horse moves up/down in work
- Weight changes
- Health issues arise
- Vet recommendations
Print and Post: Generate feed cards and post them:
- In feed room
- On stall doors
- In staff areas
- Digital copies in mobile app
Team Communication
Clear Instructions: Write instructions that anyone can follow
- “Soak for 10 minutes before feeding”
- “Top dress supplements on grain”
- “Feed hay in slow feeder net”
Highlight Special Needs: Make special requirements obvious
- Medications in supplements section
- Dietary restrictions
- Soaking requirements
- Feed allergies
Update After Vet Visits: Change feed programs when vet recommends:
- Adding joint supplements
- Starting medications
- Changing grain amounts
- Special diets for metabolic horses
Common Questions
Q: Can I use the same feed name but different quantities for different horses?
A: Yes! The catalog stores the feed name and details. Each horse can have different quantities and frequencies of the same feed.
Q: What if my grain “scoop” is different from another barn’s?
A: Add the conversion in the catalog description: “1 scoop = approximately 1.25 lbs”. Then staff know what your “scoop” means.
Q: How do I track hay that’s fed free choice?
A: Add hay to the horse’s feed program with frequency “Free choice” and add instructions like “Available 24/7 in stall” or “Access to round bale in pasture”.
Q: Should I add treats to the feed catalog?
A: Generally no, unless they’re daily dietary additions. Occasional treats don’t need to be in the formal feed program.
Q: How do I handle horses on custom mixed feeds?
A: Create a catalog item for the custom mix with full description: “Custom Mix - 50% Oats, 30% Beet Pulp, 20% Alfalfa Pellets”. Then assign to relevant horses.
Q: Can I track feeding times (6am, 6pm)?
A: The Feed Program tracks frequency (once/twice daily) but not specific times. Use the instructions field to note preferred feeding times if needed.
Q: What about horses on weight management programs?
A: Use the instructions field to document the plan: “Currently at 3 lbs/feeding. Increase by 0.5 lbs weekly until at 4 lbs or until weight goal reached.”
Reporting and Insights
Feed Inventory Needs
Generate reports showing:
- Total quantity of each feed needed per day/week/month
- Feed usage by horse
- Reorder points and timing
Example: “Need 150 lbs/day Triple Crown Senior for 10 horses”
Feed Costs
Track feed expenses:
- Cost per horse per day
- Monthly feed budget
- Compare costs of different feeds
- Client billing for boarding (feed costs included)
Supplement Tracking
See which supplements are most used:
- Horses on joint supplements
- Horses receiving medications
- Seasonal supplement patterns
Special Diets
Identify horses with special needs:
- Metabolic horses (low NSC feeds)
- Senior horses (complete feeds)
- Performance horses (high energy feeds)
- Horses on restricted diets
Troubleshooting
Can’t Find a Feed in Catalog
Check:
- Search by partial name
- Check spelling
- Look in correct type (Grain, Hay, or Supplement)
Not There?: Add it to the catalog first.
Feed Quantities Not Making Sense
Verify:
- Unit is correct (lbs vs. scoops)
- Frequency is right (once vs. twice daily)
- Total daily amount calculates correctly
Fix: Edit the feed item on the horse’s feed program.
Feed Card Not Printing Correctly
Try:
- Check printer settings
- Use “Print Preview” to adjust
- Export to PDF first, then print PDF
Changes Not Showing for Staff
Ensure:
- Changes were saved
- Staff has refreshed their view
- Correct horse is selected
Next Steps
Now that you understand the Feed Program, explore related features:
- Expenses - Track feed purchases and costs
- Health Program - Link supplements to health needs
- Staff Management - Assign feeding responsibilities
- Tasks - Create feeding-related tasks
Need Help?
Questions about managing feed programs?
- Email: support@equineops.com
Remember: A well-organized feed program ensures consistent nutrition for your horses, prevents feeding errors, and makes it easy for all staff members to feed correctly. Build your catalog once, then easily manage feed programs for individual horses!