Feeding Horses at the Barn: Nutrition Basics

Feeding horses properly at the barn involves a balanced diet centered on quality forage (hay or pasture), supplemented with concentrates and minerals as needed for activity level, age, and health. Always provide fresh, clean water. Adjust portions based on individual horse needs and consult a vet or equine nutritionist for tailored plans.

Understanding how to feed your horse can feel overwhelming. There are so many options: different types of hay, various grains, and countless supplements. It’s easy to get confused about what your horse truly needs to stay healthy and happy. You want to do what’s best for your equine friend, but where do you start? Don’t worry, you’re in the right place. This guide will simplify horse nutrition, giving you clear, practical steps to ensure your horse gets the right diet. We’ll walk through the essential components of a horse’s diet, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.

The Foundation: Forage (Hay and Pasture)

The cornerstone of any horse’s diet is forage. Horses are grazing animals, designed to eat small amounts of fibrous material throughout the day. This natural feeding behavior is crucial for their digestive health, mental well-being, and overall physical condition. Forage comes primarily in two forms: pasture and hay.

Pasture: Nature’s Buffet

Good quality pasture is the ideal feed for most horses. It provides essential nutrients, fiber, and allows for continuous grazing, which mimics a horse’s natural eating habits. However, not all pastures are created equal, and not all horses can be on pasture full-time. Factors like grass type, soil quality, and management practices all impact the nutritional value of pasture. Overgrazed or poor-quality pastures may not provide sufficient nutrients, while lush, rich pastures can be too much for horses prone to laminitis or obesity.

• Benefits: Natural grazing, mental stimulation, constant fiber intake, fresh vitamins.
• Considerations: Varies in nutritional value, can be too rich for some horses, requires careful management to prevent overgrazing.
• Management: Rotate pastures, test soil, and consider grazing muzzles for horses needing restricted intake.

Hay: Stored Sunshine

When pasture isn’t available or sufficient, hay becomes the primary forage source. Hay is dried grass or legumes, harvested at peak nutritional value. It’s vital to feed good quality hay, free from mold, dust, and weeds. Moldy hay can cause respiratory issues (heaves) and digestive problems (colic), while dusty hay can irritate airways.

There are several types of hay, each with different nutritional profiles:

• Grass Hay (e.g., Timothy, Orchardgrass, Fescue, Bermuda): Generally lower in protein and calories than legume hays, making it suitable for most adult horses with moderate activity levels. It provides excellent fiber.
• Legume Hay (e.g., Alfalfa, Clover): Higher in protein, calcium, and calories. Often fed to growing horses, lactating mares, performance horses, or horses needing to gain weight. It should be fed with caution to horses prone to obesity or certain metabolic conditions due to its richness.
• Mixed Hay: A combination of grass and legume hays, offering a balanced nutrient profile.

How Much Forage?

Horses should consume 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight in forage daily. For an average 1,000-pound horse, this means 15 to 25 pounds of hay or pasture per day. This amount can vary based on the horse’s age, workload, and metabolic rate. Always aim for continuous access to forage if possible, using slow feeders or multiple small feedings throughout the day to mimic natural grazing and support digestive health.

Here’s a quick guide to forage types and their typical uses:

Hay Type	Nutritional Profile	Common Uses	Considerations
Timothy Grass Hay	Moderate protein, moderate calories, high fiber	Maintenance, light work, senior horses, horses prone to obesity	Excellent staple for most horses.
Orchardgrass Hay	Similar to Timothy, often palatable	Maintenance, light work, good for horses with allergies to Timothy	Can be slightly higher in protein than Timothy.
Alfalfa Hay	High protein, high calcium, high calories	Growing horses, lactating mares, performance horses, underweight horses	Feed in moderation; can be too rich for idle horses or those with metabolic issues.
Mixed Hay (Grass/Alfalfa)	Balanced protein and calories depending on ratio	General purpose, can be adjusted for moderate work	Good compromise, offers benefits of both types.
Bermuda Grass Hay	Lower protein, moderate calories, fine texture	Maintenance, often used in warmer climates	Can be prone to impaction colic if not adequately hydrated.

Concentrates: When and Why

While forage is fundamental, some horses require additional calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals that forage alone cannot provide. This is where concentrates come in. Concentrates are typically grain-based feeds, pelleted feeds, or fortified mixes designed to supplement the diet.

Types of Concentrates:

• Grains (e.g., Oats, Barley, Corn): Provide concentrated energy. Oats are generally considered the safest due to their higher fiber content. Corn and barley are higher in starch and calories and should be fed in smaller amounts to avoid digestive upset.
• Pelleted Feeds: These are processed feeds where ingredients are ground, mixed, and pressed into pellets. They offer a balanced blend of grains, protein sources, vitamins, and minerals. Pelleted feeds are convenient and reduce sorting.
• Texturized Feeds (Sweet Feeds): These are mixes of whole or rolled grains, molasses, and often pellets. The molasses makes them highly palatable but also higher in sugar.
• Ration Balancers: Low-calorie, high-protein, vitamin, and mineral supplements designed for horses that get enough calories from forage but need nutrient fortification. Excellent for easy keepers or horses on good pasture.
• Specialty Feeds: Designed for specific needs, such as senior horses (easy to chew, highly digestible), performance horses (high energy, specific amino acids), or horses with metabolic issues (low starch/sugar).

Who Needs Concentrates?

Not every horse needs concentrates. Many horses on good quality forage maintain excellent condition without them. Concentrates are typically necessary for:

• Performance Horses: Those in moderate to intense work need extra calories for energy and protein for muscle repair.
• Growing Horses: Foals and young horses need additional protein and minerals for proper development.
• Lactating Mares: Producing milk requires significant caloric and nutrient intake.
• Underweight Horses: To help them gain and maintain condition.
• Senior Horses: Those with dental issues or reduced digestive efficiency may need softer, more digestible feeds.
• Horses on Poor Quality Forage: When hay or pasture lacks sufficient nutrients.

When selecting a concentrate, always choose a reputable brand and one specifically formulated for horses. Read the label carefully to understand the ingredients, nutrient analysis, and feeding instructions. Look for feeds that are “fixed formula” (ingredients don’t change from batch to batch) for consistency.

Supplements: Bridging the Gaps

Supplements are products designed to provide specific nutrients that might be lacking in the horse’s diet or to support particular bodily functions. They should be used judiciously and ideally under the guidance of a veterinarian or equine nutritionist. More isn’t always better, and excessive supplementation can sometimes be harmful.

Common Types of Supplements:

• Vitamins and Minerals: Often provided in a complete feed, but sometimes horses need additional zinc, copper, selenium, Vitamin E, etc., depending on their diet and geographical location (soil deficiencies).
• Joint Supplements: Containing ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, these are popular for performance horses or older horses with arthritis.
• Hoof Supplements: Biotin, methionine, and other nutrients support healthy hoof growth.
• Digestive Aids: Probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, especially during stress, travel, or antibiotic use.
• Electrolytes: Crucial for horses in heavy work or hot climates to replenish salts lost through sweat.
• Calming Supplements: Magnesium, tryptophan, and other ingredients are sometimes used to help reduce anxiety in nervous horses.

A great way to ensure your horse gets a balanced intake of essential vitamins and minerals, especially if they are primarily forage-fed, is through a high-quality ration balancer or a general vitamin/mineral supplement. For example, a well-regarded product like Purina Strategy Healthy Edge Horse Feed can provide comprehensive nutrition, or a simple mineral supplement can bridge the gaps if you’re not feeding a full ration of fortified feed.

Water: The Essential Nutrient

Often overlooked, water is arguably the most critical nutrient for horses. A horse can survive for weeks without food but only a few days without water. Water is vital for digestion, nutrient absorption, temperature regulation, and overall metabolic function.

• Always Available: Horses should have constant access to fresh, clean water. Check water troughs and buckets daily, cleaning them regularly to prevent algae and bacterial growth.
• Quantity: An average 1,000-pound horse drinks 5-10 gallons of water per day, but this can double or triple in hot weather or during intense exercise.
• Temperature: Horses prefer water that isn’t extremely cold. In winter, providing heated water can significantly increase intake and help prevent impaction colic.

Here’s a general guide for daily water intake:

Horse Activity Level	Approximate Daily Water Intake (1000 lb horse)	Factors Increasing Need
Idle/Maintenance	5-10 gallons	Hot weather, dry feed, illness
Light Work	8-12 gallons	Increased sweating, higher feed intake
Moderate Work	10-15 gallons	Significant sweating, high energy feed
Heavy Work/Lactating Mare	15-20+ gallons	Intense exercise, milk production, very hot/humid conditions

Feeding Schedules and Management

How you feed your horse is almost as important as what you feed them. Horses are designed to be trickle feeders, eating small amounts continuously. Mimicking this natural pattern helps prevent digestive issues like colic and ulcers.

• Frequent, Small Meals: If feeding concentrates, divide the daily ration into at least two, preferably three or more, small meals. This reduces the risk of digestive upset from large starch loads.
• Consistent Schedule: Horses thrive on routine. Try to feed at the same times each day. Sudden changes in feeding times or amounts can cause stress and digestive problems.
• Forage First: Always provide forage before concentrates. This helps buffer stomach acid and prepares the digestive system for the grain.
• Slow Feeders: Hay nets, slow-feed hay bags, and specially designed feeders can extend feeding time, reduce waste, and provide continuous access to forage.
• Cleanliness: Keep feed buckets and troughs clean to prevent the buildup of old feed, mold, or bacteria.
• Individual Feeding: If feeding multiple horses, ensure each horse gets its fair share without being bullied. Separate feeding stations or individual stalls are often necessary.

Special Nutritional Needs

A horse’s diet is not one-size-fits-all. Nutritional requirements change significantly based on several factors:

Age:

• Foals and Weanlings: Require higher protein, specific amino acids, and minerals for rapid growth and bone development. Mare’s milk is crucial, followed by specialized foal feeds.
• Yearlings and Two-Year-Olds: Still growing, they need balanced nutrition to support skeletal and muscular development without becoming overweight.
• Adult Horses (Maintenance): Most healthy adult horses in light work or at rest can thrive on good quality forage, a ration balancer, and free-choice salt.
• Senior Horses: May have dental issues, reduced digestive efficiency, or conditions like Cushing’s. They often need softer, highly digestible feeds, possibly soaked pellets or mashes, and may benefit from additional joint or digestive support.

Workload:

• Light Work (e.g., trail riding, pleasure riding 3-4 times/week): Good quality forage, a ration balancer, and possibly a small amount of low-starch concentrate.
• Moderate Work (e.g., regular schooling, showing, endurance riding): Requires more calories and protein. Higher quality forage, a performance-oriented concentrate, and potentially electrolytes.
• Heavy Work (e.g., racing, high-level eventing): Significantly increased energy, protein, and electrolyte needs. Specialized high-fat, high-fiber concentrates are often used, along with careful hydration management.

Health Conditions:

• Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance: Require very low starch and sugar diets. Hay should be tested or soaked to reduce sugar content. Specialized low NSC (Non-Structural Carbohydrate) feeds are essential.
• Laminitis: Similar to metabolic syndrome, a strict low NSC diet is critical to prevent flare-ups.
• PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy): Requires a very low starch/sugar diet, often with increased fat for energy.
• Gastric Ulcers: Frequent small meals of forage, alfalfa hay (due to its buffering capacity), and specific gastric support supplements can help.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes that can impact your horse’s health. Being aware of these common pitfalls can help you provide the best care.

1. Feeding Too Much Concentrate: Overfeeding grain is a leading cause of colic, laminitis, and metabolic issues. Always prioritize forage.
2. Not Enough Forage: Limiting hay or pasture too much can lead to boredom, wood chewing, ulcers, and digestive problems.
3. Sudden Diet Changes: The equine digestive system is sensitive to abrupt changes. Introduce new feeds, hay, or pasture gradually over 7-14 days.
4. Poor Water Quality/Availability: Dirty water or lack of water can lead to dehydration, reduced feed intake, and impaction colic.
5. Ignoring Individual Needs: Feeding all horses the same diet regardless of age, workload, or health status is a recipe for problems.
6. Not Weighing Feed: Scoops are inaccurate. Use a feed scale to measure concentrates and hay by weight to ensure consistent and appropriate portions.
7. Feeding Moldy or Dusty Hay: Can cause severe respiratory and digestive problems. Always inspect hay before feeding.
8. Lack of Salt: Horses need free-choice access to salt, either a plain white salt block or loose salt, to ensure adequate sodium and chloride intake.

For more insights on caring for your animal companions, including tips on choosing the right pets for your family, you might find this article helpful: 15 Best Dog Breeds for Kids and Families.

Conclusion

Feeding horses at the barn doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on quality forage as the foundation, supplementing with concentrates and minerals only when necessary, and ensuring constant access to fresh water, you can meet most of your horse’s nutritional needs. Remember to consider your horse’s individual age, workload, and health status, and don’t hesitate to consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist for personalized advice. A well-fed horse is a happy, healthy, and high-performing horse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the most important part of a horse’s diet?

The most important part of a horse’s diet is forage, which includes hay and pasture. Horses are designed to graze continuously, and a high-fiber diet is essential for their digestive health, preventing issues like colic and ulcers.

How often should I feed my horse concentrates?

If your horse needs concentrates, it’s best to divide their daily ration into at least two, and ideally three or more, small meals. This mimics their natural grazing pattern and helps prevent digestive upset from large starch loads.

Can I just feed my horse hay and water?

Many horses, especially those at maintenance or in light work, can thrive on good quality hay and fresh water alone, supplemented with a vitamin/mineral balancer or free-choice salt. Concentrates are only needed if hay and pasture don’t provide enough calories or specific nutrients for their workload, age, or health.

How do I know if my horse is getting enough water?

Ensure your horse has constant access to clean, fresh water. Monitor their water intake, especially in hot weather or after exercise. Signs of dehydration can include lethargy, sunken eyes, and a skin pinch test where the skin on the shoulder takes longer than two seconds to flatten.

What should I do if my horse is overweight?

If your horse is overweight, the first step is to reduce calorie intake. This usually means limiting concentrates (or removing them entirely), carefully managing pasture access (e.g., with a grazing muzzle), and potentially feeding a lower-calorie, lower-sugar hay. Increase exercise if appropriate and consult your vet for a tailored weight loss plan.

Is it okay to feed my horse kitchen scraps?

No, it’s generally not recommended to feed horses kitchen scraps. Many human foods can be harmful or toxic to horses, such as avocado, chocolate, onions, and certain garden plants. Stick to feeds specifically formulated for horses to ensure their safety and health.

How can I tell if my hay is good quality?

Good quality hay should be green or greenish-yellow, smell fresh and sweet, and be free from dust, mold, and weeds. It should feel soft to the touch and not have a musty odor. Avoid hay that is discolored, smells off, or has visible mold spots.