WHY A WARM MASH MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK THIS WINTER

As the temperature drops, it’s natural to focus on warm rugs, shelter, and perhaps a few extra scoops of feed for your horse. But there’s one cold-weather essential that often flies under the radar: water—and more specifically, if your horse is drinking enough in winter.
When horses move from fresh grass to dry hay, their natural water intake takes a hit. Add to that the chilly water trough on a frosty morning, and suddenly, their hydration isn’t quite where it should be.
At the same time, their energy needs are climbing. Horses use more energy just to stay warm in cold weather. Even with a rug or stable to help, their body still works to keep its core temperature in check. For every degree the temperature drops, a horse may need an extra 2 megajoules (MJ) of energy just to stay comfortable. That could mean an extra kilo of feed during a cold snap—which can be hard to manage when horses are naturally less inclined to eat as much in winter.
Of course, a little winter weight loss isn’t unusual. Horses are designed to adapt to seasonal changes, but as owners, we often want to keep condition steady. That’s where it’s tempting to lean on high-energy feeds. But the smarter—and more natural—approach is to make every mouthful work harder, not just add more.
Surprisingly, the temperature of drinking water plays a bigger role than you might think. A 500kg horse drinks around 20 litres a day. If that water is sitting at 4°C, your horse has to use precious energy just to bring it up to body temperature—around 38°C. That effort can cost them up to 3MJ of energy a day, which might undo the benefits of that extra feed you’re providing.
So how do you help your horse stay warm, hydrated, and well-fed, all in one go? Bring on the warm mash.
Warm mashes—especially those made with super fibres like Speedi-Beet and Barastoc Fibre-Beet Mash—are a game-changer in winter. Not only are they a gentle, fibre-rich feed that supports gut health, but the warm water encourages hydration when drinking drops off. Better yet, the fermentation of fibre in the hindgut produces internal heat, giving horses a natural and sustained energy boost.
Warm mashes are also highly palatable, encouraging fussy or older horses to eat when their appetite might wane in the cold. They help stimulate chewing and saliva production, supporting digestion from the moment the feed hits their mouth. And because the moisture is already warm, they don’t have to burn energy heating cold water internally—it’s already done for them.
So, while it might seem like a small detail, switching to a warm mash during winter can make a big difference. It’s a simple, effective way to support your horse’s hydration, digestion, and energy needs—all while giving them something they genuinely look forward to eating.
At Barastoc, we believe good nutrition starts with understanding how your horse’s needs change with the seasons. And when the cold rolls in, a warm mash isn’t just a comfort—it’s a clever way to keep your horse happy, healthy and thriving through winter.