For decades, horses have largely been fed according to human schedules—two or three meals a day—despite being biologically designed to consume forage throughout much of the day. In this episode of Inside the Equestrian Property, Lindsay Hunter sits down with Nordic AutoFeed co-Founder Ashton Shura to explore what happens when we rethink feeding as part of the design and management of the equestrian property itself. The conversation looks at how feeding frequency and forage access can affect equine health, including ulcers, colic, metabolic health, stress, and performance—but also horse behavior. When horses spend long periods without forage, boredom and frustration can show up as chewing, pawing, kicking, weaving, and other behaviors that can take a toll not only on the horse, but on the barn around them. For owners investing significantly in custom stalls, fencing, flooring, stall mattresses, and other premium materials, designing around natural equine behavior may also help protect that investment. We also discuss how automated feeding technology can support more natural feeding patterns without replacing good horsemanship, and why feeding systems should be considered during the earliest stages of barn planning rather than added as an afterthought.
In this episode, we discuss:
1. Why traditional feeding schedules don't necessarily align with equine biology
2. The relationship between forage access, ulcers, colic, metabolic health, and performance
3. How feeding practices can influence boredom, stress, chewing, pawing, and other destructive behaviors
4. The connection between horse welfare and protecting stalls, fencing, flooring, and other barn materials
5. Common misconceptions about slow feeding and automated forage systems
6. How technology can support—not replace—good horsemanship
7. What architects, builders, barn designers, and owners should consider when incorporating feeding systems into a new facility
8. Electrical and power requirements and what should be planned during construction
9. Retrofitting automated feeding systems into existing barns
10. Backup systems and considerations for power outages
11. How better feeding management can affect labor, staffing, and the day-to-day operation of a property
12. What Nordic AutoFeed believes the next generation of equestrian facilities should be planning for today
Connect with Ashton Shura:
Website: www.nordicautofeed.com
Email: ashton@nordicltd.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nordicautofeed
Inside the Equestrian Property explores the decisions, expertise, and specialized knowledge behind creating environments where horses and humans can thrive. Through conversations with leading equestrian brands and professionals, we look beyond how these properties appear to understand how they should function—and how thoughtful design can support better equine welfare. The show is hosted by Lindsay Hunter, founder of Luxury Equestrian Network, the community built around the idea that every professional and every property owner deserves access to the best minds in the equestrian property space — and that the conversation that makes your next project easier might be one episode away.
