Equine Feed & Forage Encyclopedia

Explore different types of hay, pasture grasses, energy grains, supplements, and minerals.

Alfalfa Hay (Lucerne)

Hay
Nutritional MatrixHigh protein (16–20%), high digestible energy, very high calcium (1.2–1.5%), low sugar (WSC < 10%).
Suitable ForGrowing foals, lactating mares, active performance horses, senior horses needing weight gain, and horses prone to gastric ulcers.

Pros

  • Excellent for building muscle and top line
  • High calcium acts as a natural stomach buffer against ulcers
  • Very palatable; ideal for picky eaters or horses needing weight gain

Cons

  • High calorie content can cause obesity in easy keepers
  • Imbalance of calcium-to-phosphorus ratio if fed as 100% of forage
  • Increases urination and ammonia smell in stalls due to high protein
Feeding Instructions

Feed as 20% to 50% of the daily forage ration, blended with grass hay to balance calories and calcium, or feed exclusively to high-performance athletes.

Timothy Hay

Hay
Nutritional MatrixModerate protein (7–10%), moderate digestible energy, high fiber, balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (~1.5:1).
Suitable ForEasy keepers, pleasure horses, horses on stall rest, and metabolic or laminetic horses needing low-calorie forage.

Pros

  • Excellent fiber source that promotes healthy gut motility
  • Low in calories, allowing horses to chew longer without gaining excess weight
  • Lower risk of mold than clover or alfalfa hays

Cons

  • Can be expensive in regions where it is not locally grown
  • Not high enough in nutrients/energy for heavy performance or lactating horses
Feeding Instructions

Provide free-choice or feed at 1.5% to 2% of the horse's body weight daily. Outstanding base forage for almost all adult horses.

Orchard Grass Hay

Hay
Nutritional MatrixModerate protein (8–11%), moderate energy, high fiber, very palatable.
Suitable ForPleasure horses, show horses, and general stable herds.

Pros

  • Highly palatable and soft texture
  • Good fiber content, excellent for continuous foraging
  • Cheaper than Timothy in many regions

Cons

  • Can vary widely in sugar/NSC content depending on harvest maturity
  • Needs sugar analysis before feeding to metabolic/insulin-resistant horses
Feeding Instructions

Feed at 1.5% to 2% of the horse's body weight daily. Great for blending with alfalfa hay.

Ryegrass Pasture

Grass
Nutritional MatrixHigh digestible energy, high protein (up to 20% in spring), very high non-structural carbohydrates (NSC/sugars).
Suitable ForPerformance horses, hard keepers, growing foals, and lactating broodmares.

Pros

  • Extremely lush and highly nutritious base forage
  • Supports high milk production in lactating mares and rapid growth in youngsters

Cons

  • Extremely high sugar content, especially in early spring or after frosts
  • High risk of triggering pasture laminitis or founder in sensitive horses
  • Can cause mild loose manure or "grass bellies"
Feeding Instructions

Restrict grazing time during spring and autumn peaks using a grazing muzzle or dry-lot turnout, particularly for ponies or easy keepers.

Tall Fescue

Grass
Nutritional MatrixModerate to high energy, moderate protein, hardy turf grass.
Suitable ForGeldings, non-breeding mares, and pleasure horses.

Pros

  • Highly resistant to heavy grazing, drought, and trampling
  • Good baseline nutrition for gelding and non-breeding stock

Cons

  • Risk of Endophyte Fungus infection, which causes "fescue toxicosis"
  • Highly toxic to pregnant broodmares (causes thick placenta, retained placenta, lack of milk, or foaling emergencies)
Feeding Instructions

Remove pregnant broodmares from fescue pastures and fescue-blend hay for at least the last 60 to 90 days of gestation to prevent toxicosis.

Whole or Rolled Oats

Grain
Nutritional MatrixModerate protein (11–12%), high starch, moderate fiber, high phosphorus.
Suitable ForWorking performance horses, racehorses, and horses needing quick energy.

Pros

  • Highly digestible starch compared to corn or barley
  • Provides quick, accessible energy for working horses
  • High in silicon, promoting hoof wall strength

Cons

  • Can cause excitability or "hot" behavior due to high starch loads
  • Extremely high in phosphorus relative to calcium; can disrupt calcium absorption
Feeding Instructions

Limit feed to no more than 0.5% of body weight per single meal. Always feed alongside high-calcium forage (like alfalfa or calcium-supplemented feed) to maintain a proper Ca:P ratio.

Beet Pulp

Grain
Nutritional MatrixHigh digestible fiber, moderate protein (8–10%), very low starch and sugar (NSC < 10%). Excellent prebiotic fibers.
Suitable ForHard keepers, metabolic horses, horses prone to tying up or ulcers, senior horses with poor teeth.

Pros

  • Outstanding, safe weight builder without high starch risk
  • Provides "cool" energy via hindgut fiber fermentation
  • Increases water intake when fed soaked, reducing dehydration risks

Cons

  • Must be soaked before feeding to prevent choke or impaction
  • Low in vitamins and minerals; should be fed with a balancer
Feeding Instructions

Always soak in warm water (1 part beet pulp to 2-3 parts water) for at least 15–30 minutes before feeding. Ideal for mixing with other feeds or supplements.

Wheat Bran

Grain
Nutritional MatrixModerate protein, high fiber, extremely high in phosphorus.
Suitable ForOccasional treats or as a small ingredient in balanced commercial feeds.

Pros

  • Highly palatable; great for masking medications or making warm winter "mashes"
  • High fiber density

Cons

  • Severe calcium-to-phosphorus imbalance (1:10 ratio) if fed in large amounts
  • Does not have a laxative effect as commonly believed; sudden mashes can disrupt gut bacteria
Feeding Instructions

Feed only in small, balanced quantities (under 1 cup daily) or as a rare treat. Avoid feeding large daily amounts to growing youngsters.

Salt & Electrolytes

Electrolyte
Nutritional MatrixSodium, Chloride, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium.
Suitable ForAll horses (free-choice salt) and hard-working, traveling, or heavily sweating performance horses (added electrolytes).

Pros

  • Triggers the thirst response, preventing dehydration and impaction colic
  • Replaces minerals lost in sweat during heavy training or hot weather

Cons

  • Can irritate stomach ulcers if fed in high concentrations on an empty stomach
  • Excessive amounts without access to water can cause salt toxicity
Feeding Instructions

Ensure every horse has constant, 24/7 access to a plain white salt block. Add 1-2 tablespoons of electrolytes to wet feed or a dedicated water bucket (always offer plain water as a second choice) after heavy sweating.

Flaxseed / Linseed (Oil or Meal)

Supplement
Nutritional MatrixHigh fat (30-40%), rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, low starch.
Suitable ForHorses with dry coats, sweet itch sufferers, seniors, and hard keepers needing extra fat calories.

Pros

  • Imparts a deep, mirror-like coat shine
  • Omega-3 fatty acids possess natural anti-inflammatory properties
  • Improves skin health and can alleviate sweet itch symptoms

Cons

  • Raw, unprocessed flax seeds contain small amounts of toxic compounds; must be boiled, micronized, or fed as cold-pressed oil
Feeding Instructions

Feed 1 to 4 ounces of cold-pressed flaxseed oil daily or 1/2 cup of stabilized, ground flax meal mixed directly into wet feed.