Milly Gaines
Forage-based diets for horses are centred on forage being the primary component of a horse's diet. Forage consists of grasses, legumes and hays, which are rich in fibre and provide a slow-release energy source. This type of diet promotes equine digestive function, supports metabolic health, aids in weight management and fulfils behavioural needs. While forage is essential, it does not provide all of a horse's nutritional needs, so forage-only diets should be supplemented with salt, vitamins and minerals. Forage-based diets are often more cost-effective than grain-based diets and are beneficial for a horse's physical and mental health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A forage-based diet is a feeding strategy where grass-based products make up most or all of a horse's calories. |
| Forage | Forage consists of fiber-rich plant material, such as grasses, legumes, and hays. |
| Calories | Forage is the main calorie source, as opposed to grain in a modern diet. |
| Health Benefits | Forage-based diets promote equine digestive function, support metabolic health, aid in weight management, and fulfill behavioral needs. They are also associated with a reduced risk of gastric ulceration and stereotypical behaviours. |
| Nutritional Needs | Forage-based diets should be supplemented with salt, vitamins, minerals, and protein to meet all of a horse's nutritional requirements. |
| Cost | Forage-based diets are often more cost-effective than diets relying heavily on commercial grains or complete feeds. |
| Transition | Switching a horse to a forage-based diet requires careful planning and consultation with an equine nutritionist to gradually replace grains and concentrates with appropriate forage. |
| Minimum Intake | Horses should consume a minimum of 1-2.5% of their body weight in forage per day to maintain a healthy digestive tract. |
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What You'll Learn
Forage-based diets are more cost-effective than grain-based diets
Horses require free access to some type of forage as often as possible. They should eat a minimum of 1-2.5% of their body weight in forage per day to maintain a healthy digestive tract. Forage consists of fiber-rich plant material, such as grasses, legumes, and hays. It provides an important source of energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
While forage is essential, it does not provide all of a horse's nutritional needs, such as vitamins and minerals. Forage-based diets should be supplemented with salt and a vitamin and mineral mix to meet all of a horse's requirements. Forage-based diets are often more cost-effective than those relying heavily on large amounts of commercial grains or complete feeds.
Horse owners can work with an equine nutritionist to gradually replace grains and concentrates with appropriate forage. The first step in transitioning to a forage-based diet is to have the forage analyzed to determine its energy, protein, and mineral content. This understanding of the nutrient profile is essential for making informed decisions when adjusting a horse's diet.
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Forage-based diets improve physical and mental health
Horses are herbivores that have evolved as trickle feeders, meaning their digestive tracts are most effective when consuming small amounts of feed frequently. In the wild, horses graze for 18 to 20 hours a day. Their stomachs are designed to continuously produce acid to aid digestion, and forage acts as a buffer to this acid, preventing damage to the stomach lining. For this reason, it is important that horses have constant access to forage.
A forage-based diet reflects the natural grazing behaviour of horses and supports their digestive function, metabolic health, weight management, and behavioural needs. Forage consists of fiber-rich plant material, such as grasses, legumes, and hays, and provides a slow-release energy source that aligns with a horse’s digestive physiology. It also promotes a more stable microbial environment in the hindgut, reduces the risk of gastric ulcers, and lowers the risk of colic.
However, forage alone does not provide all of a horse's nutritional needs. It may be deficient in certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Therefore, a forage-based diet should be supplemented with salt, vitamins, and minerals to meet all of a horse's requirements. The type, amount, and quality of forage are critical for a successful forage-based diet, and it is important to understand the nutrient profile of the forage being used.
Transitioning to a forage-based diet requires careful planning and expert guidance to ensure the horse's nutritional needs are met. It is important to determine the horse's individual lifestyle and needs when choosing the best type of forage. With the right supplementation, a forage-based diet can fuel even elite athletic horses, with the added benefit of lower levels of rancidity and oxidative damage compared to grain-heavy diets.
Overall, a forage-based diet improves the physical and mental health of horses by providing a natural, nutritious, and energy-rich source of food that supports their digestive and metabolic health, while also fulfilling their behavioural needs as natural grazers.
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Forage-based diets reduce the risk of digestive and metabolic issues
A forage-based diet is optimal for a horse's digestive system, promoting both foregut and hindgut health. Forages are rich in fibre and include grasses, legumes, and hays. Unlike grain-based feeds, which are higher in sugar and starch, forages provide a steady, slow-release energy source that is more aligned with a horse's digestive physiology.
Horses have a relatively small foregut compared to their hindgut. Their digestive systems are designed to break down fibre consumed throughout the day, and they are adapted to consume small, frequent meals and engage in continuous grazing. This constant intake ensures that the digestive system is never overwhelmed by large quantities of food, reducing the risk of digestive upset.
Forage-based diets typically have lower hydrolyzable carbohydrate (sugar and starch) content. Instead, energy is derived from fibre, more closely mimicking the natural diet of wild horses. The low carbohydrate content supports digestive and metabolic health, making a forage-based diet ideal for horses with digestive issues, metabolic concerns, or weight control issues.
For horses with metabolic syndrome or PPID (Cushing's disease), keeping carbohydrates below 10% is crucial for preventing laminitis. Forage-based diets also reduce the risk of gastric ulcers associated with intermittent grain feeding. By promoting constant foraging, these diets ensure a more consistent intake of feed and reduce the time between meals.
While forage should be the foundation of a horse's diet, it does not provide all their nutritional needs. Forage-only diets should be supplemented with salt, vitamins, and minerals to meet all the horse's requirements.
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Forage-based diets require supplements to meet all nutritional needs
A forage-based diet is optimal for a horse's digestive system, promoting foregut and hindgut health. Forages consist of fiber-rich plant material, such as grasses, legumes, and hays. They provide a slow-release energy source that aligns with a horse's digestive physiology.
However, forages do not provide all of a horse's nutritional needs. They may be deficient in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and specific amino acids. Therefore, forage-based diets require supplements to meet all nutritional needs.
Forage-only diets should be supplemented with salt and a vitamin and mineral mix. Additionally, ration balancers can be used to provide a low rate of feeding along with the nutrients needed to "complete" the forage diet.
Some horses may require additional supplements to meet their unique nutritional needs. For example, older horses with dental issues may not be able to use long-stem forage as their dietary foundation. In such cases, hay pellets or hay cubes can be soaked to supply forage.
It is important to work with an equine nutritionist to gradually replace grains and concentrates with appropriate forage when transitioning to a forage-based diet. This ensures that all of the horse's nutritional needs are met.
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Forage-based diets are simple to implement
Horse owners can provide their horses with pasture grass, hay, or processed forage products to meet their forage needs. The first step is to have the forage analysed to determine its energy, protein, and mineral content, and then work with an equine nutritionist to gradually replace grains and concentrates with appropriate forage. This careful planning ensures that all of the horse's nutritional needs are met, as forages alone do not provide all the vitamins and minerals that horses require.
Horse owners can supplement forage-based diets with salt and a vitamin and mineral mix. Ration balancers are also a great solution, providing a low feeding rate with the necessary nutrients to "complete" the horse's diet. Owners can also add more energy-dense feeds and forages to meet their horse's caloric needs.
Forage-based diets are also often more cost-effective than those relying heavily on commercial grains or complete feeds. With the right supplementation, forage-based diets can fuel elite athlete horses with very low levels of rancidity and oxidative damage when compared to grain-heavy diets.
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Frequently asked questions
A forage-based diet for horses is one where grass-based products make up most of their calories. This might include pasture, hay, or cubed/pelleted hay. Forage consists of fiber-rich plant material, such as grasses, legumes, and hays.
Forage-based diets are beneficial for a horse's physical and mental health. They promote foregut and hindgut health, reduce the risk of gastric ulcers, and support metabolic health. They also aid in weight management and are more cost-effective than grain-based diets.
Forage-based diets may not meet all the nutritional needs of horses. They may lack certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Additionally, some forages are deficient in proteins. Therefore, forage-based diets should be supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and protein to ensure the horse's nutritional requirements are met.
Transitioning a horse to a forage-based diet requires careful planning and consultation with an equine nutritionist. The first step is to have the forage analyzed to determine its nutrient content. Then, you can gradually replace grains and concentrates with appropriate forage sources. It is important to ensure that the horse receives the necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein to meet their nutritional needs.
