Dante Carrillo
Horses are herbivores and require a very specific diet. Their diet should be forage-based, with grass or hay making up most of their nutrition. Horses need to eat little and often, grazing all day to keep their extremely long and sensitive digestive tract working. Their diet should be balanced and contain six key nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Carbohydrates are the largest part of a horse's diet and are divided into two groups: structural (fibre) and non-structural (sugars and starches). Horses also need extra calories from grains to maintain their body weight and energy levels, especially if they are working hard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Herbivorous, forage-based |
| Diet Components | Grass, hay, haylage, salt, concentrates, fruits, vegetables, grains |
| Diet Requirements | Little and often, all day long |
| Nutritional Requirements | Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, water |
| Carbohydrate Types | Structural (fibre), non-structural (sugars and starches) |
| Fat Content | Up to 20% (3-4% normally), vegetable oil is a common source |
| Protein Sources | Soybean, alfalfa, cottonseed meal, peanut meal, brewer's grains |
| Vitamins | Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K), water-soluble (C, B-complex) |
| Mineral Sources | Beet pulp, bran |
| Water | Critical for health |
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Hay or grass
As a herbivore, a horse's diet should consist mostly of forage, such as grass and hay. This is because their digestive system has evolved to process a roughage-based diet. Hay is grass that has been dried, and it should make up most of a horse's diet. It is a valuable source of nutrients, with most of them coming from the leaves. Horses should eat at least 1.5–2% of their body weight in hay or grass daily.
Hay can consist of grass, including orchard grass, or it can be from a legume (crop) such as alfalfa. Alfalfa hay is best for horses in high-work environments or for lactating mares, where calorie and energy needs are high. Grass hay is ideal for horses that need to lose weight or be on a low-carb diet for health reasons. It is also suitable for horses in light work.
It is important to feed good-quality hay that is free of mould and dust and cut at an appropriate length and stage of maturity. Hay should smell fresh and sweet, have a green colour, and contain leaves—not just stems. Horses should be fed hay little and often, almost all day long.
Grass is a horse's natural food and is great for their digestive system. However, in the cooler months, from autumn to early spring, pasture may not be available. Also, horses should not eat too much lush grass in spring as this can cause laminitis. It is important to clear the pasture of any plants that could be harmful to horses, such as ragwort, which is common in the UK.
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Fruits and vegetables
Horses are herbivores, and their diet must consist of lots of fibre to keep their extremely long and sensitive digestive tract working. Their diet should be forage-based, with energy extracted from fermenting fibre in their large intestine. Hay or grass should be the bulk of their nutrition, with some horses also needing extra calories from grain to maintain their body weight and energy levels.
Some fruits and vegetables that horses can eat include:
- Apples
- Carrots
- Bananas
- Celery
- Pears
- Oranges
- Mangoes
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew melon
- Pumpkin
However, it is important to avoid certain fruits and vegetables that may be harmful to horses. These include:
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
Any changes to a horse's diet should be made gradually over two to four weeks, and it is always recommended to seek the advice of an equine nutritionist or veterinarian when making dietary changes.
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Carbohydrates
Non-structural carbohydrates are mostly digested in the small intestine. These sugars and starches are primarily found in grains (e.g. corn, oats, and barley) and provide a more concentrated form of energy than structural carbohydrates. This is why the term concentrates is often used when referring to grains and grain mixtures.
It is important to recognise that the horse's digestive system has evolved to process a roughage-based diet. Therefore, concentrates should be used only to supplement the forage program and meet nutritional requirements that cannot be met by forage alone. The horse should always be fed a minimum of 1% of its body weight in forage (on a dry matter basis); the ideal is 1.5 to 2% of its body weight. Feeding less roughage than this can lead to health issues such as colic and ulcers.
Horses need carbohydrates as their main energy source. However, it is important to note that fats provide approximately three times as much energy as carbohydrates. Therefore, for a horse that is working hard or needs to gain weight, fat in the diet can be very helpful. For an overweight horse, fat might not be necessary.
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Fats
Fat is an essential macronutrient in a horse's diet, providing energy, insulation, protection, and aiding in hormone production and nutrient absorption. Horses can digest up to 20% fat in their diet, but normal horse rations contain only 3-4% fat, and it takes about 3-4 weeks for them to adjust to a high-fat diet.
Fat is the most dense source of energy, providing 9 calories per gram, almost three times more than carbohydrates or proteins. This can be beneficial for horses that need extra energy, such as those exercising, growing, pregnant in late gestation, or early lactation. For horses that need to avoid excess carbohydrates, fat can be used to replace calories.
Fat can be added to a horse's diet through feedstuffs naturally high in fat or supplemental fats. Pelleted feed is one source of fat, with the amount varying from 5-15% fat. The fat in pelleted feed can come from sources such as flaxseed or rice bran. Oil is another way to add fat, with vegetable oil being the most commonly used fat source. Oils can be used to top-dress grain or pellets, with the most common being vegetable, corn, or canola oil.
Supplemental fats include vegetable oils, hydrolyzed animal fats, and dry granular fats. These sources contain more than 98% fat and don't add other nutrients to the diet. When increasing the fat content in a horse's diet, it is important to do so slowly to avoid overwhelming the digestive system. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor the horse's body condition and fecal output to prevent undesired weight gain.
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Vitamins and minerals
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins that are absorbed in the presence of fats. They are stored in the liver and fatty tissues of the body. Horses require vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy skin, bones, and tissues. It also plays a crucial role in a horse's vision. Vitamin D helps maintain strong bones and teeth, while vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Vitamin K, produced by the microbes in the horse's cecum, is critical for blood clotting and bone health.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and need to be consumed regularly. They are easily absorbed and utilized by the body. The B-complex vitamins, including thiamine (B1), are water-soluble. These vitamins play a vital role in energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and maintaining a healthy nervous system.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances that play various roles in a horse's body. They are typically absorbed in the small intestine. Common minerals found in horse feeds or supplements include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals are essential for bone health, nerve function, muscle contraction, and maintaining proper fluid balance.
It is important to note that while vitamins and minerals are crucial, they should be provided in appropriate amounts. Excessive supplementation without professional guidance can lead to imbalances and health issues. Consulting with an equine nutritionist is advisable to ensure a horse's diet is properly balanced and meets their individual needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Horses are herbivores and require a forage-based diet, eating mostly grass and hay. Horses also eat haylage, which is fermented hay, and small amounts of salt, concentrates, and fruits or vegetables.
Horses need six key nutrients in their diet: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Horses should eat at least 1% of their body weight in forage (grass or hay) daily, but ideally 1.5% to 2%. Horses like to graze all day and should eat little and often.
Horses need vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble, and vitamins C and B-complex, which are water-soluble. However, horses can synthesise many of the vitamins they need.
Signs of protein deficiency in horses include a rough or coarse hair coat, weight loss, and reduced growth, milk production, and performance.
