Horses are non-ruminant herbivores designed to eat small amounts of fibrous forage continuously throughout the day. Modern stable management, which often involves feeding twice a day in stalls, challenges their digestive anatomy. This guide covers how to align your feeding schedule with equine physiology.
Rule #1: Forage First
The foundation of every horse's diet must be high-quality forage (hay or pasture). * An average horse requires 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight in dry forage daily. * For a 1,000 lb horse, this equates to 15 to 25 lbs of hay per day. * Forage provides the necessary fiber to keep the hindgut fermenting properly, preventing colic and stomach ulcers.
Selecting Hay: Grass vs Alfalfa
1. Grass Hay (Timothy, Orchard, Brome): Lower in calories and protein. Ideal for easy keepers, senior pasture horses, and idle riding mounts. Can be fed almost free-choice. 2. Alfalfa Hay (Legume): Rich in protein, calcium, and calories. Excellent for growing horses, lactating mares, and hard-working performance athletes. Because of its calcium content, it helps buffer stomach acid and prevent ulcers.
When to Feed Grain
Grains and concentrated feeds should only be used to supply calories that high-quality forage cannot provide. If your horse maintains a healthy body condition score on hay alone, a simple low-calorie ration balancer is all they need to satisfy their daily vitamin and mineral requirements.