Horse owners become interested in diet and feeding management in an effort to ensure the best possible condition and performance of their animal. To determine the role of nutrition in any given situation, one needs a systematic method to ensure that all appropriate facets of nutrition as it relates to the situation are considered. One such method is presented in this publication. Start by assessing the animal factors, such as the description of the horse, its stage of life, and environment. Then the diet factors – quality, completeness, balance, nutrient availability, and palatability – are determined. This information is used to determine the most appropriate feeding method, considering such feeding factors as diet availability, the method of feeding, and the animal’s appetite. All this information is necessary to feed horses properly.