How to Feed Grain to Horses

Grain can be fed to horses either in processed or whole form. Whole grain contains more fiber, has no additives and is a good source of energy. It can, however, provide too much of a short-term energy rush and lead to an unmanageable horse. Processed grain has been hulled, cracked or cooked to make it more easily digested. It normally forms part of a pelleted or mixed feed which has vitamins and other additives. Grains in processed feeds are often mixed with other ingredients to balance the energy effects of the grain. The grains most commonly used as horse feed are oats, barley, corn and wheat.

Things You'll Need

  • Weigh tape
  • Scales
  • Bucket
  • Chopped carrots
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Weigh your horse. Have him stand squarely on a flat surface and pass the weigh tape round his body just behind his front legs. Pull the tape just tightly enough that it makes an indent in his coat. Read the weight.

    • 2

      Calculate the amount of feed. A horse needs roughly two pounds of feed for every 100 pounds of body weight, of which no more than 1/4 should be grain. For example, a horse weighing 1,000 pounds needs about 20 pounds of food a day, of which two to five pounds should be grain. The rest should be hay or forage.Take into account your horse's work load, as a horse that is not working will often not require any grain. A horse in hard work may require a higher proportion of grain in its diet.

    • 3

      Decide what type of grain you wish to feed. Processed feeds will have manufacturer's feeding instructions on the bag. If you are feeding whole grains, consider oats, barley and corn. The most energy-dense grain is corn, followed by barley then oats. Only consider feeding corn if your horse is in hard work, otherwise corn can cause a horse to become unmanageable. Oats are easily digestible and have a high fiber content, making them more suitable for horses in medium work.

    • 4

      Measure the correct amount of grain using scales. Place into a clean bucket, and add some succulents such as chopped carrots and apples. Monitor your horse's weight, behavior and general condition. Make changes to his diet as his weight and other conditions change.