Imagine your horse, sleek and energetic, galloping across the pasture. What fuels that power and shine? It’s the food they eat, of course! But with so many bags of feed lining the store shelves, choosing the right one can feel like a puzzle. You want the best for your equine friend, but the sheer variety can be overwhelming. What if you pick the wrong one and your horse doesn’t get the nutrients they need? It’s a common worry for many horse owners, and it’s completely understandable.
This is why understanding horse feed is so important. It directly impacts your horse’s health, their mood, and even their performance. We’re here to break down the confusing world of horse feed, making it simple and clear. By the end of this post, you’ll feel much more confident in your choices. You’ll learn what to look for, what to avoid, and how to pick the perfect meal to keep your horse happy and healthy.
Let’s dive in and discover how to feed your horse for peak well-being, starting with the basics of what goes into their diet.
Top Feed For Horses Recommendations
- EFFECTIVE - Contains active ingredient Novaluron, which is an Insect Growth Regulator. This new generation technology is 99.9% effective at breaking the fly life cycle to help eliminate the fly population in your barn.
- SAFE - Unlike other brands, our active ingredient is not an organophosphate, and is completely safe for horses.
- PALATABLE - Administer one serving of our alfalfa and wheat midd-based pellets to your horses daily with their feed.
- AFFORDABLE - MultiFly is just as effective as other brands, at a lower daily cost to you.
- MADE IN THE USA - All of our products are manufactured in our facility in Colorado, since 1946.
- Feed-Through Fly Control for Horses: SimpliFly breaks and prevents the fly life cycle in manure, helping reduce stable fly populations and providing reliable fly control for horses in barns, stalls, and pastures
- Stops Flies Where they Breed: The active ingredient diflubenzuron passes through the horse unabsorbed and works directly in manure to prevent fly larvae from developing into adult flies
- Safe for Daily Use in All Horse Breeds: Add palatable alfalfa-based pellets to your horse's daily feed for consistent fly control in stalls, pastures, paddocks and dry lots
- Season-Long Fly Population Reduction: Begin feeding in early spring before flies appear and continue through summer and fall to support ongoing barn fly control and stable fly prevention
- Feed Thru Fly Control Supplement: SimpliFly works best alongside topical fly sprays and physical barriers like fly masks for integrated, whole-barn pest management
- SENIOR HORSE FEED - Specially formulated for older horses, offering a beet pulp-based formula rich in nutrients and fats for optimal digestive health and weight maintenance.
- EQUINE SENIOR FEED - Ideal for mature, performance, and underweight horses, this feed provides essential fiber and reduced starch and sugar levels for balanced nutrition.
- SENIOR WEIGHT ACCELERATOR FOR HORSES - Packed with high-fat content to help senior horses gain or maintain weigh
- FEED FOR SENIOR HORSES - Can be mixed with water to create a mash, perfect for horses with dental issues or difficulty swallowing.
- HORSE FOOD SENIOR - Versatile enough to serve as the sole ration for horses unable to eat hay or pasture, ensuring they get all necessary nutrients.
- HIGH FAT AND CALORIE LEVELS: Manna Pro Senior Weight Accelerator is specially formulated with high fat and calorie content to help senior horses gain and maintain a healthy body condition, supporting energy needs and overall vitality in older horses.
- OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FOR SKIN & COAT: Senior Horse Supplement contains flaxseed-derived Omega-3s to support skin hydration, reduce dryness, and promote a glossy coat. Helps aging horses maintain healthy skin, improved coat condition, and vitality.
- FORMULATED FOR SENIOR HORSES: Tailored nutrition for aging horses with probiotics for digestion, biotin for hoof strength, & controlled starch levels to support metabolic health—delivering balanced energy, immunity, & joint mobility in one great formula.
- ESSENTIAL VITAMINS & ANTIOXIDANTS: Packed with vital vitamins, antioxidants that support a healthy immune system & help protect senior horses from oxidative stress, promoting overall wellness, vitality & resilience to keep them feeling their best.
- HIGHLY PALATABLE & EASY TO FEED: Specially designed for senior horses, this soft, easy-to-chew pellet ensures consistent intake. Fortified with amino acids and antioxidants to support aging joints, muscle maintenance, and overall vitality in older horses.
- Added Fat – From vegetable oils for sustainable energy and a shiny hair coat
- Balanced Nutrition – Meets your horse's nutrient requirements when fed as directed
- Formulated by Ph.D. Equine Nutritionists – Ingredients proven through time and research to support overall horse health
- High Quality Protein – Supports muscle performance with desirable amino acid profiles
- Quality Ingredients – Highly digestible and naturally palatable
- Feed-Through Fly Control for Horses: SimpliFly breaks and prevents the fly life cycle in manure, helping reduce stable fly populations and providing reliable fly control for horses in barns, stalls, and pastures
- Stops Flies Where they Breed: The active ingredient diflubenzuron passes through the horse unabsorbed and works directly in manure to prevent fly larvae from developing into adult flies
- Safe for Daily Use in All Horse Breeds: Add palatable alfalfa-based pellets to your horse's daily feed for consistent fly control in stalls, pastures, paddocks and dry lots
- Season-Long Fly Population Reduction: Begin feeding in early spring before flies appear and continue through summer and fall to support ongoing barn fly control and stable fly prevention
- Feed Thru Fly Control Supplement: SimpliFly works best alongside topical fly sprays and physical barriers like fly masks for integrated, whole-barn pest management
- No corn formula results in lower NSC (sugar + starch)
- Highly digestible fiber allows this feed to be used as a complete feed
- Optimal balance of essential amino acids and organic minerals to support aging and muscle maintenance
- With EquiFerm XL microencapsulated active dry yeast; acts as both a pre- and probiotic, increases total diet digestibility and improves overall gut health
Choosing the Best Feed for Your Horse: A Comprehensive Guide
Feeding your horse the right food is super important. It helps them stay healthy, have energy, and be happy. But with so many options, picking the perfect feed can feel tricky. This guide will help you understand what to look for, so you can make the best choice for your equine friend.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for horse feed, keep these important things in mind:
- Nutrient Balance: This is the most crucial feature. Good feed has the right mix of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients help your horse grow, work, and stay well.
- Digestibility: The feed should be easy for your horse to digest. This means their body can soak up all the good stuff. Look for feeds made with easily digestible ingredients.
- Palatability: Horses are picky eaters sometimes! The feed should taste good to them. If your horse won’t eat it, it doesn’t matter how healthy it is.
- Form: Horse feed comes in different forms like pellets, texturized (sweet feed), and extruded. Pellets are uniform, texturized mixes grains and molasses, and extruded feed is cooked and formed. Each has pros and cons.
- Specific Needs: Does your horse have special needs? Maybe they’re a senior horse, a growing foal, a hard-working athlete, or have allergies. You’ll want a feed made for these specific requirements.
Important Materials
The ingredients in horse feed are what give it its nutritional value.
- Grains: Oats, barley, and corn are common grains. They provide energy.
- Forages: Hay and alfalfa are important. They give fiber, which is essential for digestion.
- Proteins: Soybean meal, alfalfa meal, and other plant-based proteins are used. Protein builds muscles and supports growth.
- Vitamins and Minerals: These are added to make sure your horse gets everything they need. Calcium, phosphorus, and salt are common.
- Fats: Added fats can provide extra energy, especially for active horses.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a horse feed great or not so great?
- High-Quality Ingredients: Feeds made with fresh, whole ingredients are usually better. Avoiding fillers and low-quality by-products improves quality.
- Proper Processing: How the feed is made matters. Gentle processing helps keep nutrients intact. Over-processing can break down important vitamins.
- Storage: How the feed is stored before you buy it also affects quality. It should be kept dry and cool, away from pests. Old or improperly stored feed can lose its nutritional value and even become harmful.
- Artificial Additives: Some feeds have artificial colors or flavors. While not always bad, many horse owners prefer natural options.
User Experience and Use Cases
How people use and experience horse feed varies.
- Daily Feeding: Most horse owners use feed as a supplement to hay or pasture. It fills nutritional gaps.
- Performance Horses: Horses in training or competition need more energy and nutrients. They often get specialized performance feeds.
- Senior Horses: Older horses might have trouble chewing or digesting. They benefit from easily digestible senior feeds.
- Growing Foals: Young horses need specific nutrients for strong bones and growth. They eat foal-specific feeds.
- Weight Management: Some horses need to gain or lose weight. Feeds are available to help manage their weight.
Choosing the right feed means looking at your horse’s age, activity level, and any health issues. It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist. They can give you the best advice for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Horse Feed
Q: What is the most important thing to look for in horse feed?
A: The most important thing is a balanced mix of nutrients like protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. This balance keeps your horse healthy.
Q: Can I feed my horse only hay?
A: Hay is good for fiber, but most horses need a balanced feed to get all the other nutrients they require.
Q: What is the difference between pellet feed and texturized feed?
A: Pellet feed is pressed into uniform pieces. Texturized feed is a mix of grains, molasses, and other ingredients, often called “sweet feed.”
Q: How much feed should I give my horse?
A: The amount depends on your horse’s size, age, activity level, and the feed’s nutrient content. Always follow the feeding guidelines on the feed bag or ask an expert.
Q: Can I switch my horse’s feed suddenly?
A: No, it’s best to switch gradually over 7-10 days. This helps your horse’s digestive system adjust and prevents upset stomachs.
Q: What does “digestible” mean for horse feed?
A: It means your horse’s body can easily break down the feed and absorb the nutrients from it.
Q: Are there special feeds for older horses?
A: Yes, senior feeds are made to be easier to chew and digest for older horses who might have dental problems or slower digestion.
Q: What are common signs of a horse not getting the right nutrition?
A: Signs can include a dull coat, low energy, weight loss or gain, and digestive issues like colic.
Q: Where should I store my horse’s feed?
A: Store feed in a cool, dry place, away from pests and direct sunlight. Use airtight containers if possible.
Q: When should I consult a veterinarian about my horse’s diet?
A: You should talk to your vet if your horse has health problems, is not gaining or losing weight properly, or if you’re unsure about their nutritional needs.