What Horses Eat to Stay Healthy: Complete Guide to Equine Nutrition

Horses are magnificent herbivores with unique dietary needs, shaped by their evolution as grazing animals. Proper nutrition is essential for your horse’s health, longevity, and performance. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about equine diets—what horses eat, how much to feed, feeding routines, what to avoid, and practical tips to keep your horse healthy all year round.

Understanding the Natural Diet of Horses

The natural diet of a horse is primarily composed of pasture grass and tender plants. In the wild, horses roam and graze for most of the day, consuming small amounts continuously. Their digestive tract is designed for a high-fiber, low-starch diet, making forages like grass and hay the foundation of a healthy equine diet. Quality pasture not only supplies essential nutrients but also helps maintain healthy teeth, thanks to the silica content in grass.

• High Fiber Intake: Essential for digestion and gut health
• Continuous Grazing: Allows for steady nutrient absorption and prevents digestive upsets
• Dental Benefits: Chewing grass helps wear down teeth naturally, reducing dental problems

Modern horses, especially those with limited exercise or easy-keeper breeds, require careful management of pasture intake to prevent obesity and metabolic issues. Conversely, “hard keepers” often benefit from unrestricted access to quality forage to maintain healthy weight and condition.

Types of Forage: Pasture Grass and Hay

Pasture Grass

Fresh, natural pasture is the best and most instinctive food for horses. Good pasture includes a mixture of grasses and legumes, supplying critical nutrients and supporting digestive health. Horses spending most of their time grazing are generally healthier and happier.

• Optimal for: Healthy adult horses with access to ample grazing
• Risks: Lush new pasture can cause digestive problems and laminitis if introduced too quickly
• Best practice: Gradually increase grazing time for horses new to rich pastures

Hay

When fresh pasture is unavailable, especially in winter or dry climates, hay becomes the primary forage. Quality hay should be free from mold, excessive dust, and weeds, and should have a pleasant, sweet smell. Typical hay types fed to horses include:

• Timothy Hay: Popular, balanced protein and fiber
• Orchard Grass Hay: Soft, palatable, good for all horses
• Alfalfa Hay: High in protein and calcium; best for young, growing, or lactating horses, but can be too rich for easy keepers
• Mixed Grass Hay: Blend of legumes and grasses for balanced nutrition

Store hay in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent spoilage. Feed by weight rather than volume for accuracy, as bales can vary greatly in density.

How Much Do Horses Eat?

The daily amount a horse should eat depends on several factors:

• Body weight
• Age
• Activity level
• Metabolism (easy vs. hard keepers)
• Lifestage: growing, adult, senior, pregnant, or lactating

On average, horses consume about 2–3% of their body weight in forage (pasture or hay) each day. For a 1,000-pound (450 kg) horse, this equates to 20–30 pounds (9–14 kg) of forage daily. Horses eating less forage may require supplemental feeds to meet their nutritional needs, but forage should remain the bulk of the diet.

Feeding Table: Forage Intake by Weight

Grains and Concentrates

For many horses, forage alone is sufficient. However, higher-energy requirements—such as for performance horses, growing foals, and lactating mares—sometimes necessitate concentrates. These include grains (like oats, corn, barley) and specially formulated pelleted or sweet feeds. Feed concentrates in moderation and adjust based on condition and workload.

• Oats: Traditional, easily digested grain
• Corn: Calorie-dense, but can be hard to digest and best fed cracked or rolled
• Barley: Less commonly used, provides substantial energy
• Commercial Feeds: Designed for balanced, targeted nutrition for specific life stages or activities

Always introduce concentrates slowly and never feed a large meal at once. Horses’ digestive systems are not designed for large quantities of grain.

Fresh Water: The Unsung Essential

Clean, fresh water is vital for all horses. A mature horse typically drinks 5–10 gallons (19–38 liters) of water daily, depending on temperature, activity, and diet. Dehydration can lead to colic and other serious health issues.

• Check water sources regularly for cleanliness and ice in winter
• Encourage drinking by providing lukewarm water in cold weather
• Automatic waterers and troughs should be cleaned often

Salt and Minerals

Horses require salt and minerals not always present in forage or grains. Provide a salt block or loose salt at all times, and consider a mineral supplement based on your horse’s specific needs and local forage deficits.

• Salt: Essential for thirst regulation and nerve function
• Mineral blocks: Supply other key nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
• Electrolytes: Especially important for hard-working horses or during hot weather

Fruits and Vegetables

Many horses enjoy treats of fruits and vegetables. These can be a healthy addition if fed in moderation. Common safe treats include:

• Carrots
• Apples (cut into slices, seeds removed)
• Peppermint leaves
• Watermelon (without rind or seeds)

Avoid feeding large quantities to prevent digestive upsets and always introduce new treats slowly.

Foods Horses Should Not Eat

Some common foods and plants are toxic or unsafe for horses. Avoid feeding your horse:

• Chocolate and caffeine (toxic)
• Onions and garlic (damage red blood cells)
• Tomatoes, potatoes, and other nightshades
• Bread and other processed human foods
• Moldy or dusty hay
• Lawn clippings (may contain dangerous plants and ferment rapidly)

Always be cautious with unfamiliar plants and foods. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

Tips for Feeding Horses Safely

• Feed by weight, not volume, for accuracy
• Provide forage throughout the day to mimic natural grazing
• Make dietary changes gradually to avoid digestive upsets
• Feed concentrates in small, frequent meals rather than one large portion
• Encourage slow eating with hay nets or feeders
• Monitor body condition regularly and adjust rations accordingly
• Always provide fresh, clean water

Seasonal Feeding Considerations

Winter

• Pasture quality declines; supply more hay for energy and warmth
• Keep water from freezing to encourage adequate drinking
• Monitor horse body condition closely, especially in older animals

Summer

• Increase salt intake to replace what’s lost through sweat
• Monitor for overweight horses on lush pasture
• Ensure constant access to shade and clean water

Special Diets for Different Horses

• Senior Horses: Require softer, more easily digestible feeds due to dental wear and decreased digestion efficiency
• Ponies and Easy Keepers: Prone to obesity; limit access to rich pastures and high-calorie feeds
• Performance Horses: May need higher energy, protein, and electrolyte intake
• Broodmares & Growing Foals: Require more protein, calcium, and phosphorus for development

Consult your veterinarian to develop a tailored feeding plan for horses with special dietary needs.

Observing and Adjusting Your Horse’s Diet

Pay attention to your horse’s weight, coat, energy level, and overall condition. Unexplained weight loss, poor coat, or behavioral changes may indicate dietary deficiencies or health problems. Routine veterinary checkups, dental exams, and regular fecal testing for parasites are crucial for long-term health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should horses eat?

Horses are designed to graze throughout the day, ideally consuming several small meals of forage. Avoid prolonged periods without food to prevent digestive issues like ulcers or colic.

Can horses eat all types of grass?

Most pasture grasses are safe, but some weeds and plants (like ragwort or buttercup) are toxic. Regularly inspect pastures for hazardous plants.

Do horses need grain every day?

No, most horses thrive on high-quality forage alone. Grain should only be fed to horses with higher energy demands or specific deficiencies and always in moderation.

Is it safe to feed horses kitchen scraps?

No. Avoid human foods (like bread, potatoes, onions, or processed snacks), which may be unsafe or indigestible for horses.

How do I transition my horse to a new diet?

Make changes gradually over 7–10 days, blending small quantities of the new feed with the old to minimize digestive disturbance.

Conclusion

Understanding what horses eat and why is fundamental to providing excellent care. Proper nutrition is more than just feeding; it’s about supporting digestive health, providing essential nutrients, and adapting to the individual needs of your horse. Focus on quality forage, fresh water, balanced minerals, and smart feeding routines. With attentive management and a tailored diet, your horse can enjoy vibrant health, a shiny coat, and many happy years by your side.

Author

medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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