The correct amount of grain for your horse depends on its weight, age, workload, and current body condition. There is no single magic number; feeding must be tailored to the individual horse.
Core Principles of Horse Feeding
Feeding horses correctly is key to their health. Good care starts with knowing what your horse needs. We must focus on their equine nutritional requirements first.
Forage First: The Foundation of the Diet
Horses are grazing animals. Their digestive systems are built to handle fiber most of the time. This means hay and grass should make up the bulk of the diet.
- Always ensure 24/7 access to good quality hay or pasture.
- Forage should provide at least 1.5% of the horse’s body weight daily. For a 1,000-pound horse, this means 15 pounds of hay or grass daily.
Why Horses Need Grain
Not all horses need grain. A horse grazing good pasture and doing light work might get all the energy it needs from forage. Grain is added to boost calories or specific nutrients when forage alone falls short.
Grain adds quick energy and denser nutrients in a smaller volume. This is crucial for hard-working horses or those struggling to maintain weight.
Deciphering Equine Nutritional Requirements
To figure out how much grain to feed, you must first know what your horse needs overall. This is based on maintenance, growth, work, or pregnancy.
Body Weight Matters Most
You cannot accurately guess your horse’s weight. Use a weight tape or, even better, a livestock scale. Weighing your horse regularly helps track changes.
| Horse Weight (Pounds) | Estimated Daily Total Feed (Hay/Pasture + Grain) (% of BW) |
|---|---|
| 900 lbs | 18 – 22.5 lbs |
| 1,000 lbs | 20 – 25 lbs |
| 1,200 lbs | 24 – 30 lbs |
| 1,400 lbs | 28 – 35 lbs |
Workload Dictates Energy Needs
A horse’s energy need changes a lot based on what it does each day. This is a primary factor in calculating horse feed amounts.
- Maintenance: Resting or light walking. Needs the least amount of extra feed.
- Light Work: Hacking out a few times a week, trail riding. Needs a small boost.
- Moderate Work: Schooling, local shows, regular arena work (4-5 days a week). Needs more calories.
- Heavy Work: Race training, intense eventing, hauling heavy loads. Requires the most energy density.
Life Stage Adjustments
Different life stages have unique needs:
- Growing Foals: Need balanced nutrients for rapid development. They usually need specially formulated feeds, not just plain grain.
- Lactating Mares: Need the most calories and protein. They often need significant grain supplementation.
- Senior Horses: May struggle to chew or digest coarse hay. They often benefit from pelleted feeds or soaked grains that are easier to eat.
Determining the Daily Grain Ration for Horses
Once you know the horse’s total needs, you can look at the daily grain ration for horses. This is where we balance the energy deficit not met by hay.
The 1% Rule for Concentrates
A major guideline in horse feeding guidelines is to limit grain (concentrates) to no more than 0.5% of the horse’s body weight per meal. For most horses, this means feeding no more than 1% to 2% of their body weight in grain per day, split into multiple feedings.
- Example: A 1,000 lb horse should generally not receive more than 10 to 20 pounds of total grain per day.
Feeding too much grain at once overwhelms the small intestine’s ability to digest starches. This leads to serious digestive upset.
Assessing Forage Quality
If your hay is rich (like young alfalfa), you will need much less grain. If your hay is poor quality (like mature, coarse grass hay), you will need more supplementation, often in the form of a high-quality grain mix or ration balancer.
Types of Horse Feed Available
Choosing the right feed is critical for balancing horse diet effectively. Not all “grain” is the same.
Whole Grains
These are pure seeds. They are high in starch and calories. They must be fed carefully.
- Oats: Very common, easily digestible when processed correctly. High in phosphorus.
- Corn: Very high in energy (calories). Can cause rapid weight gain if overfed.
- Barley: Less common than oats or corn. Needs processing (rolling or steaming).
Commercial Feeds
These are formulated to be more complete than straight whole grains.
- Sweet Feeds: Grains coated in molasses. Highly palatable but can be high in sugar.
- Pelleted Feeds: Ingredients are ground and pressed. Good for consistency and minimizing sorting.
- Textured Feeds (Mixes): Contain whole grains, molasses, minerals, and vitamins mixed together.
Specialized Feeds
- Ration Balancers: Very small amounts needed. Provide concentrated vitamins and minerals without excessive calories. Great for easy keepers needing only mineral support.
- High-Fiber/Low-Starch Feeds: Often beet pulp or soy hulls mixed with a vitamin/mineral package. Ideal for horses with metabolic issues or those needing calories without high sugar/starch.
Best Grain Mix for Horses: Matching Feed to Need
The best grain mix for horses depends entirely on their job.
| Horse Profile | Recommended Feed Type | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Lightly Worked, Good Weight | Ration Balancer or plain high-quality grass hay | Minimize grain intake |
| Moderate Work, Needs Weight Gain | A balanced textured or pelleted feed (12-14% protein) | Monitor sugar/starch content |
| Heavy Work, Intense Calorie Need | Higher energy pelleted feed (often higher fat content) | Must be fed in small, frequent meals |
| Easy Keeper, Metabolic Concerns | Low-starch/low-sugar fortified feed or ration balancer | Keep total non-structural carbohydrates low |
The Process of Calculating Horse Feed Amounts
Accurate feeding requires math, but the process is straightforward if you follow the steps for calculating horse feed amounts.
Step 1: Determine Total Daily Feed Needs
Use the 1.5% to 3% rule based on body weight (BW).
- 1,000 lb Horse, Moderate Work: Target 2.5% of BW = 25 lbs of total feed per day.
Step 2: Calculate Forage Intake
Estimate or measure the hay being fed.
- If the horse eats 20 lbs of hay per day, that covers the forage base.
Step 3: Calculate the Grain Supplement Needed
Subtract the forage from the total need.
- Total Need (25 lbs) – Hay Fed (20 lbs) = 5 lbs of supplemental feed needed (grain/concentrate).
Step 4: Check the Feed Label
Look at the label of the specific feed you chose. It will state how many pounds of that product are needed to meet the horse’s supplemental needs (usually based on a standard 1,000 lb horse doing moderate work).
If the label says, “Feed 5 lbs for moderate work,” and your calculation says you need 5 lbs of supplement, then that amount is your starting point.
Step 5: Adjust Based on Body Condition Score (BCS)
The BCS (on a scale of 1 to 9) is your real-time feedback. After two weeks on the calculated amount, assess the horse.
- If the horse is losing weight, slightly increase the grain (by 0.5 lb).
- If the horse is gaining unwanted fat, slightly decrease the grain (by 0.5 lb).
Factors Affecting Horse Feed Needs Beyond Workload
Many variables shift how much a horse needs to eat. These are the factors affecting horse feed needs that often get overlooked.
Environmental Temperature
In cold weather, horses burn extra calories just to stay warm. They may need up to 10% more calories for every 10 degrees below 45°F. Providing warm water and ample hay helps them generate internal heat through fermentation.
Age and Dental Health
Older horses often require softer feed. If they cannot chew hay well, they must get their required forage through specially processed pellets or soaked beet pulp. This means the grain component might be higher just to meet the minimum forage intake requirement.
Metabolism and Genetics
Some breeds (like Arabians or small ponies) are “easy keepers” and thrive on very little feed. Others (like Thoroughbreds or warmbloods) are “hard keepers” and seem to burn energy quickly, requiring a denser diet. Genetics play a big role in how efficiently a horse converts feed into energy.
Health Status
Horses recovering from illness, injury, or those with chronic conditions like Cushing’s disease have unique nutritional demands that require veterinary consultation.
Avoiding the Pitfalls: Signs of Overfeeding Horses
Knowing how much to feed is only half the battle; you must recognize the signs of overfeeding horses. Excess calories, especially from starches and sugars, cause problems.
Weight Gain and Fat Deposits
The most obvious sign is rapid weight gain or developing fat deposits, especially over the crest of the neck, along the ribs, or behind the shoulder. This indicates too many calories, regardless of the type of feed.
Digestive Upset
Overfeeding grain too quickly leads to hindgut acidosis. Look for:
- Soft manure or chronic loose stool.
- Gas colic episodes.
- Reduced appetite for hay.
Laminitis Risk
High intake of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs—sugars and starches) is a major risk factor for laminitis, especially in horses prone to it (like those with Equine Metabolic Syndrome). If you see signs of soreness, immediate feed restriction and vet consultation are necessary.
Behavioral Changes
Some horses become hyperactive, irritable, or “fizzy” when fed too much energy from grain. This means the diet is supplying more fuel than their workload requires.
Safe Grain Feeding Practices
To use grain wisely and safely, stick to proven safe grain feeding practices. The goal is consistency and moderation.
Divide Meals Frequently
Never feed more than 5 pounds of grain (concentrate) in one sitting, even for a large horse. For sensitive horses, aim for meals no larger than 2.5 pounds. Split the daily grain ration for horses into at least two, preferably three, small feedings.
Introduce New Feeds Slowly
When changing grain, do it gradually over 10 to 14 days. This allows the hindgut bacteria time to adjust to the new food source. A sudden switch can kill beneficial bacteria and cause digestive distress.
Measure, Don’t Guess
Always use a proper scoop or, better yet, a kitchen scale to measure feed volume. Scoops vary wildly in how much they hold depending on the density of the feed. Measuring ensures accuracy.
Always Pair Grain with Forage
Never give a horse a grain meal on an empty stomach. Always offer hay 30 minutes before the grain. Eating hay stimulates saliva production, which acts as a natural buffer against stomach acid, protecting the gastric lining while the grain digests.
Formulating a Balanced Horse Diet
A healthy diet must meet energy needs and provide all essential vitamins and minerals. This is the core of balancing horse diet.
The Importance of Ratios
Minerals like calcium and phosphorus must be in the correct ratio for bone health and metabolic function. Most grains (especially oats and corn) are high in phosphorus and low in calcium.
- Target Ratio: Calcium to Phosphorus should ideally be between 1.5:1 and 2:1.
- If you feed a lot of grain, you must supplement calcium (e.g., through alfalfa or limestone) to correct this imbalance.
The Role of Protein
Protein provides amino acids necessary for muscle building and repair. High-work horses need higher quality protein. For most horses, good quality hay provides enough protein. If you need more, look at feeds containing soybean meal or alfalfa pellets. Avoid overfeeding protein unnecessarily, as excess is converted to energy and excreted, wasting resources.
Essential Supplements Beyond Grain
Even the best commercial feeds sometimes need a boost depending on your hay. Common additions include:
- Salt/Minerals: Free-choice salt block access is non-negotiable.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Good for skin, coat, and joint health (often from flaxseed).
- Electrolytes: Needed for horses working hard or sweating heavily.
Comparing Different Feeding Scenarios
To solidify the concepts, let’s look at common feeding scenarios.
Scenario 1: The Easy Keeper Pony (Maintenance)
A 700-pound pony is kept in a dry lot with low-quality grass hay. He is slightly overweight.
- Total Need: About 1.5% of BW (10.5 lbs total feed).
- Forage: Provides 9 lbs of hay.
- Supplement Needed: 1.5 lbs.
- Action: Feed a low-calorie ration balancer or a small amount (1 cup, twice daily) of a low-starch pellet to ensure mineral needs are met, but skip the energy grain entirely.
Scenario 2: The Schoolmaster (Moderate Work)
A 1,200-pound horse is ridden 4 times a week at training level dressage. He maintains weight well on good grass/alfalfa mix hay.
- Total Need: About 2.5% of BW (30 lbs total feed).
- Forage: Gets 22 lbs of mixed hay.
- Supplement Needed: 8 lbs.
- Action: Start with 4 lbs of a balanced pelleted feed morning and evening (total 8 lbs). Monitor BCS closely for two weeks. If he is energetic, cut back slightly.
Scenario 3: The Hard Keeper Teenager (Growth/Light Work)
A 1,100-pound young horse is growing fast and does light trail riding. He burns calories quickly.
- Total Need: About 2.8% of BW (30.8 lbs total feed).
- Forage: Gets 20 lbs of hay.
- Supplement Needed: 10.8 lbs.
- Action: Feed 5.4 lbs of a higher-calorie, balanced growth formula, split into three feedings (morning, noon, evening) to maximize nutrient absorption and prevent digestive upset.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Feeding
Is feeding straight oats dangerous?
Yes, feeding straight oats without balancing the minerals (especially calcium) or mixing them with a fortified feed can lead to nutritional deficiencies and potential bone issues over time. Furthermore, too much unprocessed starch in a single meal causes colic risk.
How do I know if my horse is getting enough fiber?
Fiber intake is adequate if the horse is producing between 8 to 12 well-formed manure balls per manure pile, and they are relatively soft on the inside. If manure is very dry, hard, or small, increase hay immediately.
Can I substitute beet pulp for grain?
Beet pulp is an excellent source of low-starch, highly digestible fiber. It can replace a large portion of the caloric energy previously supplied by grain, especially for horses needing weight management or those recovering from metabolic episodes. However, it must be soaked before feeding and supplemented with vitamins and minerals, as it is not nutritionally complete on its own.
What is the safest type of feed if I am unsure?
If you are worried about overfeeding energy but know your horse needs supplementation, use a ration balancer. These feeds provide essential vitamins, minerals, and quality protein in very small daily amounts (usually 1-2 pounds), ensuring nutritional completeness without adding excessive calories or starch that could upset the gut.
How often should I check my horse’s weight?
For horses whose workload is changing, or for those prone to weight issues, check the body condition score (BCS) every 4 to 6 weeks. Weigh them on a scale every 2 to 3 months to verify the tape measurements and feeding adjustments.