What Do Horses Eat? Top Feeding Guide for Healthy Horses

A horse spends most of its time each day with its heads lowered, munching as it walks. Their digestive tract is roughly three times longer than a human's. This complex system can require different amounts of nutrients based on the horse's daily activities. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about horse eating and nutrition so you can provide them with healthy food!

 

 

What Can Horses Eat?

Horses are herbivores, meaning the cornerstone of their diet is plant material. The most expensive part of caring for some animals is providing meat, but you won't have to worry about that with horses. The common horse feed on pasture grass, hay, haylage (chopped forage), and grains like oats or corn.

 

Fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious for horses as they are for us. Most of the nutrients they need come from these plant materials, but you can also round out your horse diet with vitamins, minerals, and concentrates.

 

 

Grass & Tender Plants

As with most animals, the best way to understand a horse's digestive system is by examining its eating patterns in its natural habitat. Research has shown that horses eat grasses since they make up 82% of their diets. Of the remaining 18% of their diet, wild horses eat 10% forbs (a type of plant) and 8% shrubs. The average horse will get plenty of nutritional value from these sources if allowed to wander around a pasture. 

 

Hay

Even the best pasture may not be available for feeding year-round. If the land your horses graze on isn't accessible due to weather or other conditions, hay is also an excellent option. Be sure to test your hay for the proper nutrients and add supplements as needed. Consult an equine veterinarian when planning your horse's diet.

 

Horse Pellets

Horse pellets are made by grinding nutrients into a mash. The ingredients can vary depending on the pellet, but most contain grains, minerals, and vitamins. The mixture is forced through a machine that divides it into small pellets while simultaneously cooking the mash. Pellets are a highly digestible nutrition source because they are tiny in size and contain cooked ingredients.

 

Grains & Concentrates

Grain gives horses their energy, which is vital for these large, working steeds. Many grains are suitable for a horse's energy and overall health, but that doesn't mean every grain is equally beneficial. Concentrate mixes can include multiple nutrients, though they primarily consist of grain. They are used to supplement nutrients your steed may be lacking.

 

If your horse isn't a working animal, it likely won't need concentrates. Consult a veterinarian before using concentrates. To avoid overwhelming their stomachs, feed horses small amounts of grain at a time while monitoring their reaction. Make sure grain makes up less than 25% of a horse's diet to avoid conditions like colic or stomach ulcers.

 

Salt & Minerals

Salt and minerals provide essential nutrients like sodium and chloride that aid muscle contraction and digestion. Some concentrate mixes include salt and other minerals, though not all of them do. The most popular way to provide your horse with this mineral is by using a salt block. They hang in a stall or pasture, and horses will lick them until they've satisfied their needs.

 

Treats

Horses enjoy fruits, vegetables, and sugar cubes. Only give one or two treats to your horse per day, regardless of what the snacks are. Horses need to be fed a strict balance of fiber, sugar, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Always feed your horse treats out of a flat palm with fingers outstretched to avoid accidental nibbling. We advise healthy treats like watermelon, berries, grapes, apple slices, carrots, or bananas.

 

 

 

Can Horses Consume CBD? 

Absolutely! Not only is CBD safe for horses, but it's also beneficial. HolistaPet's CBD horse pellets and oil can reinforce your horse's digestive system and enhance their usual feed. It promotes homeostasis and a calm, relaxed feeling that can help horses with eating troubles. Your horse needs plenty of plant material, and CBD comes from the incredibly versatile hemp plant. We send our products to a third-party lab to ensure they only contain the most health-conscious compounds.

 

Horse owners can see the lab results, called certificates of analysis (COAs), for all our products. HolistaPet's CBD horse products are made with 100% natural, organic, non-GMO ingredients. Our CBD horse pellets and horse oil tinctures are rich in omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, all of which are important for your horse's nutritional needs.

 

 

How Much Should Horses Eat?

"Horse food" is not as clear-cut a form of nourishment as something like dog kibble because each steed has unique needs that may include supplements or mixes. Generally, you should feed a horse 1-2% of their body weight in roughage per day. This roughage may consist of pasture, hay, and grassy stalks. Every horse needs constant access to fresh, clean water. A horse can eat roughly 20 pounds of hay per day.

 

 

 

Is It Important to Have a Feeding Schedule for Horses?

For the past few decades, many owners have stuck by the "rule" that feed should be provided twice a day. In recent years, equestrians have realized that it's more natural and healthy for horses to mimic wild steeds' eating patterns. If your horse is accustomed to this "twice daily" rule, it won't benefit their health to suddenly have them find their own food in a pasture. Any changes that you make to the animal's feed schedule should be done gradually. 

 

Horses' stomachs are constantly digesting, which is why they tend to eat small meals throughout the day. The "twice daily" rule goes against this persistent digestion, giving the horse large doses of nutrients in the morning and afternoon. Since wild horses eat whenever they want, your steed has a natural predisposition to eat a small meal or snack whenever it feels hungry. Equestrians refer to this as "free-choice feeding." Most horses have good self-control and will only eat when they need to. 

 

If your horse eats too often, this can cause digestive issues like colic. You can use a slow feeder to limit their consumption. Also, they must have a regular supply of freshwater to wash down their grub. Of course, some time must be reserved for training, riding, relaxation, and bathing. Even wild horses fall into a daily routine, grazing and resting at similar times every day. Wherever your horse has access to its feed and water, try to get them into a stall or pasture at roughly the same time daily.

 

 

What Types of Food Should Horses Avoid?

Your horse's nutritional needs may vary based on its profession. For example, racehorses should be fed oats as much as possible, while the average equine shouldn't eat more than 5 pounds of oat-based meals per day. Giving your horse the wrong foods can affect their weight and cause digestive issues. These are some foods that you shouldn't give a horse:

 

• Pitted fruits
• Chocolate
• Persimmons
• Wheat
• Bread
• Yogurt
• Avocado
• Potatoes 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Every horse needs clean water, a balanced feed, and an attentive owner. While our steeds can provide for themselves in a nutritious pasture, they often have jobs and daily tasks that interfere with regular feeding. With the right food, consultation with a veterinarian, and a little patience, your horse will forever be grateful!

 

 

Read More About Caring For Horses Here