Types of Feed

Types of Feed | home

Various types of grain are a good source of energy. The more common types are discussed here.

OATS:As this grain is the one most widely used to feed horses, every effort should be made to secure the best quality. Make sure that the grain is full and of good color. Oats may be given to the horse either as whole grain or as processed grain that may be crushed, rolled or bruised. The processed grain is no more digestible than whole grain and if kept for longer than two to three weeks, it will lose some of its nutitional value.

CORN(maize): This grain has a greater energy content than most others. It's known as a hot feed. It is best used as a supplement to oats rather than as the main source of energy. It can be fed whole to the horse but it is more beneficial if cracked.

BARLEY: This grain has a greater energy content than oats but less than corn. It is of greater value if boiled before being fed to the horse. Often this grain is used to improve a horse's general condition, including weight and coat.

MILO: This is a hard, small grain and to be of value it should be ground, rolled or boiled; otherwise, it cannot be properly digested.

SOYBEAN: If this grain is made into a meal by removing the hull or husk, its digestibility is improved and it becomes an excellent source of protein.

WHEAT: This grain is not recommended. If fed, it should be crushed or boiled and given in small quantities only. It has been known to cause laminitis(founder).

Good quality hays can completely satify a horse's nutirtional requirements, provided that there is no additional demand such as that arising from growth in foals and work by racehorses, endurance horses or similiar training programs. Broadly speaking, alfalfa hay is a good source of protein, energy, fibre, calcium and vitamins. Any of the well-known hays can be fed to horses, but keep in mind that it is the quality, protein level, calcium & vitamin level of the hay, not the type, which is the most important consideration. The characteristics of good quality hay are that is shoud be leafy without too much stem, free from weeds, dust and mould, greenish in color (yellow or black should be rejected), succulent without being too damp or even too dry and sweet smelling. It should be more than six months old and less than eighteen months old. (The age of the hay at harvesting time is important, as young plants contain more nutrient and less fibre.)

Chaff is usually made from finely chopped lucerne, oaten, or wheaten hay. In the process, nutrients in the hay are destroyed to some extent. Lucerne chaff has greater nutritional value than the others whereas oaten and wheaten chaff contain more roughage and bulk.

Linseed meal is high in fibre and low in digestibility. It is often fed to imporve the appearance of the coat, but its value is doubtful.

Cotton seed meal can be used as a source of protein. It need not be de-gossypoled.

Soybean meal as a source of protein is superior to the others because of its high digestibility and high quality protein.

Bran has very limited nutirtional value. It can be fed as a damp mash. Some people believe it has a laxative effect and if the horse is fed the right quantity (see diet chart), bran will maintain the horse's droppings (manure) at the right consistency (i.e., they break up as they hit the ground).

Molasses, being raw sugar, is a good source of energy. It also serves to make the feed more palatable.

Pellets can be used as a complete diet, depending on their formulation. They are recommended for use as an additive or supplement to avoid the possibility of some deficiency developing.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are valuable, especially for the performance horse. It is important that they contain the whole range of vitamins, minerals and trace elements in correct balance. When purchasing these supplements, read the label carefully. It is not sufficient for it to list what is included in the contents of the container; the precise quantity of each vitamin, mineral and trace element should also be included. Only then can you evaluate the quality and economic value of the product.

Pastures can vary greatly for many reasons, including season, management and soil suitability.

Good quality pasture is adequate for mature horses that only require food for maintenance. If possible, all horses, especially those being fed in stables, should have access to pasture for at least two hours every day. Not only is the fresh pasture nutritionally valuable, but the exercise that the horse takes while foraging in the paddock aids digestion.

Horses without access to pasture should be given a sheaf of freshly cut grass every day.

Water should be freely available at all times except immediately after the horse has taken strenuous exercise. It should be fresh, clean and cool.

Thank you RaNae Bangerter


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The more common types are discussed here. OATS:As this grain is the one most widely used to feed horses, every effort should be made to secure the best quality. Make sure that the grain is full and of good color. Oats may be given to the horse either as whole grain or as processed grain that may be crushed, rolled or bruised. The processed grain is no more digestible than whole grain and if kept for longer than two to three weeks, it will lose some of its nutitional value. CORN(maize): This grain has a greater energy content than most others. It's known as a hot feed. It is best used as a supplement to oats rather than as the main source of energy. It can be fed whole to the horse but it is more beneficial if cracked. BARLEY: This grain has a greater energy content than oats but less than corn. It is of greater value if boiled before being fed to the horse. Often this grain is used to improve a horse's general condition, including weight and coat. MILO: This is a hard, small grain and to be of value it should be ground, rolled or boiled; otherwise, it cannot be properly digested. SOYBEAN: If this grain is made into a meal by removing the hull or husk, its digestibility is improved and it becomes an excellent source of protein. WHEAT: This grain is not recommended. If fed, it should be crushed or boiled and given in small quantities only. It has been known to cause laminitis(founder). HAYS: Good quality hays can completely satify a horse's nutirtional requirements, provided that there is no additional demand such as that arising from growth in foals and work by racehorses, endurance horses or similiar training programs. Broadly speaking, alfalfa hay is a good source of protein, energy, fibre, calcium and vitamins. Any of the well-known hays can be fed to horses, but keep in mind that it is the quality, protein level, calcium & vitamin level of the hay, not the type, which is the most important consideration. The characteristics of good quality hay are that is shoud be leafy without too much stem, free from weeds, dust and mould, greenish in color (yellow or black should be rejected), succulent without being too damp or even too dry and sweet smelling. It should be more than six months old and less than eighteen months old. (The age of the hay at harvesting time is important, as young plants contain more nutrient and less fibre.) CHAFF Chaff is usually made from finely chopped lucerne, oaten, or wheaten hay. In the process, nutrients in the hay are destroyed to some extent. Lucerne chaff has greater nutritional value than the others whereas oaten and wheaten chaff contain more roughage and bulk. MEALS Linseed meal is high in fibre and low in digestibility. It is often fed to imporve the appearance of the coat, but its value is doubtful. Cotton seed meal can be used as a source of protein. It need not be de-gossypoled. Soybean meal as a source of protein is superior to the others because of its high digestibility and high quality protein. ADDITIVES Bran has very limited nutirtional value. It can be fed as a damp mash. Some people believe it has a laxative effect and if the horse is fed the right quantity (see diet chart), bran will maintain the horse's droppings (manure) at the right consistency (i.e., they break up as they hit the ground). Molasses, being raw sugar, is a good source of energy. It also serves to make the feed more palatable. Pellets can be used as a complete diet, depending on their formulation. They are recommended for use as an additive or supplement to avoid the possibility of some deficiency developing. Vitamin and mineral supplements are valuable, especially for the performance horse. It is important that they contain the whole range of vitamins, minerals and trace elements in correct balance. When purchasing these supplements, read the label carefully. It is not sufficient for it to list what is included in the contents of the container; the precise quantity of each vitamin, mineral and trace element should also be included. Only then can you evaluate the quality and economic value of the product. PASTURE Pastures can vary greatly for many reasons, including season, management and soil suitability. Good quality pasture is adequate for mature horses that only require food for maintenance. If possible, all horses, especially those being fed in stables, should have access to pasture for at least two hours every day. Not only is the fresh pasture nutritionally valuable, but the exercise that the horse takes while foraging in the paddock aids digestion. Horses without access to pasture should be given a sheaf of freshly cut grass every day. WATER Water should be freely available at all times except immediately after the horse has taken strenuous exercise. It should be fresh, clean and cool. Thank you RaNae Bangerter