What Is Horse Feed Made Of?

There are many options for horse owners in providing proper nutrition for their horses. While the majority of a horse's nutrition comes from forages such as grasses and hays, mixed feeds and grains can also contribute to a healthy diet.

  1. Ingredients

    • All ingredients used in horse feeds must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The tag on the feed bag lists the ingredients in descending order of the amount included.

    Grains

    • Grains are fed whole or processed by cracking or crimping. Common types of grains used are corn, oats and barley.

    Pelleted Feeds

    • To increase the digestibility and create uniformity in the feed, grains may be processed into pelleted form. A binder such as molasses is added to keep the grains together and to add flavor. Pelleted feeds may also have added vitamins and minerals.

    Bran

    • Bran may be used as a supplement, particularly stabilized rice bran which has a high fat content. Wheat bran can also be fed to horses but comes with some negative digestive side effects, making it a less suitable choice.

    Additives

    • Feed manufacturers may add a number of ingredients to their feed mix, such as binding agents; fiber (from beet pulp or soy hulls); fats from vegetable oils including corn, soy, and canola oils; and flavors.