2026 Feeding Trends: Sustainability, Sourcing, and Smarter Nutrition
By Annie Emery, MS, CRC, CESMT, CENA
As 2026 approaches, more owners want to know where their feed comes from, how it is made, and how their choices affect the environment. At Revolution Equine Nutrition, we see sustainable feeding not as a trend but as a natural part of careful, evidence-based nutrition.
In this article, we’ll explore several areas gaining attention: sourcing supplements, transportation, and manufacturing practices. These emerging themes might reshape how you feed in the coming year—or they may simply affirm that you’re already on track. Either way, it’s a conversation worth having.
Forage First: The Simplest Sustainability Win
A forage-first diet helps you rely less on processed commercial feeds. The British Equine Veterinary Association notes that sourcing hay locally reduces transportation impact and lowers emissions. This means fewer feed bags, less shipping, and reduced manufacturing demand. Local forage supports local farmers, lowers environmental impact, and remains the best base for a horse’s diet.
Balanced Diets = Less Waste
When you overfeed minerals, supplements, or herbs, there are two kinds of waste to consider.
First, packaging waste:
Over-supplementing means going through more tubs, plastic containers, and packaging than necessary. That’s a direct environmental cost—and an unnecessary financial one.
Second, nutrient waste in manure:
Any mineral or supplement the horse doesn’t need is excreted. While the full environmental impact of mineral-rich manure is still being studied, we know that excess nutrients may eventually enter soil and runoff. I often use iron as an example—not because I’m concerned about iron itself, but because it demonstrates how any unneeded mineral ends up back in the environment.
The issue isn’t danger; it’s excess. Balanced diets reduce packaging waste, limit unnecessary nutrient runoff, and support better equine health overall.
Know Who Makes Your Products
Supply chains matter. When key supplement ingredients come from overseas, transportation uses significant fuel. You don’t have to avoid all imported ingredients, but it helps to know who makes your products, where their ingredients come from, and whether they prioritize responsible sourcing. When possible, U.S.-based manufacturing, transparent labeling, and reputable brands all contribute to sustainable feeding choices.
Reduce Waste Through Smarter Management
Simple management adjustments make a meaningful difference:
Keep hay clean and dry
Use appropriate slow feeders
Store feed correctly
Match intake to actual need
Reducing waste saves money, supports body condition, and lowers your barn’s environmental impact. Good-quality forage also reduces the need for processed feeds—another sustainability win.
Evidence First, Sustainability Second
Sustainability is not my main reason for recommending products. I am not against GMOs, and I don’t select feeds based on fear or buzzwords. My choices come from NRC models, ingredient analysis, and the individual needs of each horse. When good nutrition also happens to benefit the environment, that’s a bonus.
I hope to see more feed mills evolving as well…..using recycled bags, improving factory efficiency, and increasing sourcing transparency. You don’t need to overhaul your barn to be more sustainable. Focus on quality, avoid excess, and recycle when you can.
In the Big Picture
Feeding your horse in a balanced and thoughtful way is good for your horse, your wallet, and the planet. You don’t have to be perfect to practice sustainable nutrition—just make careful, evidence-based choices. This approach guides all our work at Revolution Equine Nutrition. Staying aware of sustainability trends helps you stay prepared.
Key Points
Local forage and forage-first diets reduce environmental impact while supporting optimal equine health.
Balanced diets cut waste, save money, and lessen environmental strain.
Sustainability is practical, not extreme; evidence-based choices create the greatest impact.
Actionable Questions to Consider
What are the first three changes I should make to improve the sustainability of my horse’s diet?
How can I identify reputable, environmentally-conscious feed or supplement manufacturers?
What if local hay is unavailable or low-quality in my region?
If you want help creating a balanced, waste-reducing, forage-first plan, I can review your hay analysis, supplements, and full diet. A careful, evidence-based program supports your horse, helps you spend less, and often makes your feeding more sustainable.
Copyright: This is original, non-AI-generated material by Annie Emery, MS, CRC, CESMT, CENA of Revolution Equine Nutrition. It may not be used to train AI models. Use at your own risk. This is not specific diet-balancing advice for your horse.