Horse owners may need to prepare for another challenging year as experts warn that rising forage costs, supply uncertainty and the effects of climate change are becoming long-term issues for the equestrian industry.

Those were among the key messages from the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) annual Feed and NOPS Conference, where veterinary specialists, nutritionists, feed manufacturers and sustainability experts came together to discuss the future of feeding horses in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

The conference follows a difficult period for many horse owners. Extreme weather conditions throughout 2025 affected forage production across parts of the UK, leaving some owners facing reduced availability of hay and haylage alongside significant price increases.

A poll conducted during the conference highlighted just how widespread those challenges have become. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of delegates reported reduced forage yields last year, while 58% experienced higher forage prices. Looking ahead, confidence remains cautious, with 70% expecting prices to stay elevated throughout 2026 and 42% anticipating further supply issues.

Climate Change Is Affecting Horse Welfare

While the financial impact on horse owners is significant, speakers emphasised that climate change is also influencing forage quality, with potential implications for horse and health.

Emily Floyd, Clinical Director at Rossdales Equine Hospital, explored how changing weather patterns can affect forage quality through the development of mycotoxins, naturally occurring toxins produced by moulds. She highlighted the need for further research into how different mycotoxins may work together and what levels become clinically significant for horses.

The discussion reflects growing awareness that climate-related changes are affecting not only the quantity of forage available but potentially its nutritional quality and safety as well.

Feeding Horses in a Changing World

The conference also looked beyond today’s challenges to consider how horses may be fed in the future.

Ruth Bishop, Chair of the BETA Feed Committee, examined how population growth and geopolitical pressures could reshape global supply chains, influencing the ingredients available to feed manufacturers and ultimately horse owners.

An international perspective came from Dr Gulsah Kaya Karasu of the Netherlands, who presented research into overfeeding horses and the environmental contamination that can occur when nutrients exceed a horse’s dietary requirements.

Australian equine nutrition specialist Dr Peter Huntington joined discussions on climate resilience, while Vicky Robinson, Head of Sustainability for AIC, highlighted concerns raised by the UK’s Climate Change Committee that the country is not yet adequately prepared for the effects of climate change. The forage shortages experienced during 2025 were presented as a practical example of the challenges that lie ahead.

Farming Must Adapt to Future Demands

Offering a farmer’s perspective, Freddy Barclay of Fox Feeds explained how agricultural land management is expected to evolve over the coming decades.

By 2050, he said, farming is likely to place greater emphasis on balancing sustainable food production with environmental stewardship, changes that could also influence forage production for the equestrian sector.

As climate pressures increase, building resilience throughout the feed supply chain is becoming an increasingly important priority.

Affordable Forage Is Now a Welfare Concern

For Dr Katie Williams, Vice Chair of the BETA Feed Committee, one message stood out above all others: affordable forage is no longer simply an economic issue but one that directly affects horse welfare.

“Key take home messages were that the forage shortage has really focused attention on the issue of resilience to climate change. Not having forage that’s affordable is a potential welfare issue. All professionals in the equestrian industry need to understand issues relating to climate change and provide a consistent message if progress is to be made in increasing resilience and being more sustainable.”

Her comments underline the importance of collaboration across the equestrian industry, from feed manufacturers and farmers to vets, nutritionists and horse owners, if the sector is to adapt successfully to changing environmental conditions.

Industry Collaboration Key to Future Resilience

BETA Executive Director Claire Williams said bringing experts together to openly discuss the industry’s biggest challenges remains central to the organisation’s work.

“Coming together and openly discussing the challenges the industry is facing, as well as how to navigate them, is a key part of what we do at BETA, and it was great to see this in action at the Conference. We also had great support from our sponsors – gold sponsor Premier Nutrition, silver sponsors Cargill and Fox Feeds, and bronze sponsors KIWA. I’m personally grateful to our Feed Committee for their ongoing support in putting together a programme that covers so many areas across the feed industry.”

As horse owners continue to navigate rising costs and changing weather patterns, the conference highlighted a growing consensus across the industry: climate change is no longer a future concern. It is already influencing forage availability, feed production and equine welfare, making long-term resilience and sustainable practices increasingly important for everyone involved in horse care.