Homemade Horse Feed

Feeding horses is probably one of the most complex, as well as one of the most satisfying, parts of owning them. Horses are vegetarians but they need protein and fat in their diets, as well as vitamins and minerals. In most cases, good quality forage is all a horse needs to stay happy and healthy. But if you want to make your own feed for your horse, it is helpful to know what to mix for good health.

  1. Grains

    • Most people know about basic grains and horses. Horses love oats. A diet of straight oats with hay is perfectly safe and acceptable to horses, as long as you provide a salt and mineral block for them to lick. It is not necessary to crush them or steam them, Oats are yummy for horses just as they are. Dried corn is another easy solution. But take care with how much corn you feed, as it is packed with starches and can cause founder or colic. Barley, milo and other grains can get tricky for a horse's health so it is best to avoid them. Stick with the grains you know are safe.

    Bran

    • Another great ingredient to add is bran. It does serve as a laxative, so a little goes a long way. You can throw a handful of bran into the above grain mix, add some salt and sugar, plus a cup of warm water, and your horse will love it. Remember, you do not want to feed too much of these concentrates. Forage is still the best and safest horse feed there is. Good quality coastal or other hay is the best food for horses.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • Horses will consume some vegetables such as carrots, apples, broccoli, grapes, celery, watermelon, lettuce and green beans. But these should not be relied on for the majority of their diet. Serve them as treats for good behavior. You will also not want to feed them to horses that have foundered, as many of these vegetables are packed with natural sugars, making a relapse possible for your foundered horse.

    Making it Sweet

    • While it is not necessary to add molasses or sugar to your horse's feed, it is definitely something they enjoy. If you want to give your horse a little sugar boost and make them very happy, you can add a cupful of molasses or corn syrup to your grains and bran mix and mix it up with a touch of warm water. You don't want to make it too sticky or the horse will not eat it. But a touch of sweetness will often make even the pickiest horse eat his meal.