Most horses eat forage—pasture grass, hay, or forage-based feeds—as the foundation of their diet. Many healthy horses need little or no grain; the right ration depends on the horse’s body condition, workload, age, health, and the quality of its forage. Keep clean water and salt available, change feed gradually, and ask a veterinarian or equine nutrition professional for help with individual needs.
The short answer: horses are forage-eating herbivores
Horses are adapted to eat fibrous plants. Pasture grass and hay provide most or all of the diet for many healthy horses, while concentrates are added when forage alone does not meet an individual horse’s needs. A horse’s requirements vary with body size, age, metabolism, body condition, workload, growth, pregnancy, lactation, health, and forage quality.
Forage is not interchangeable: hays can differ substantially in nutrient content. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends laboratory testing as the best way to determine hay quality. See its guidance on using hay in horse diets.
What belongs in a horse’s daily diet?
- Forage: Pasture, hay, and suitable forage-based feeds are the foundation for most horses.
- Water: Provide clean, fresh water continuously.
- Salt and minerals: Provide salt and choose mineral supplementation based on the whole ration and the horse’s needs.
- Concentrates: Grain and commercial feeds can supply extra energy or nutrients when forage does not meet an individual horse’s requirements. They are not automatically necessary.
- Treats: Suitable treats are optional extras, not a replacement for forage or a balanced ration.
The University of Minnesota Extension says forage should make up at least half of the daily ration and gives broad roughage guidance: at least 1% of body weight daily, about 2% in hay for most horses, and 2–2.5% when horses have free access to hay. These are general guidelines, not personalized prescriptions.
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- HOLDS 1 BALE OF HAY - this 19x19x41" hay bag with 1.75" square openings holds approx. 1 bale of Timothy, Orchard, Alfalfa, or any other type of hay. Our hay bags were designed to minimize frustration and can be stuffed in seconds.
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- IMPROVES DIGESTION - horses are designed to spend up to 18 hours a day grazing. Slow feeding allows you to replicate this natural behavior and is recommended by veterinarians to prevent gastric ulcers, colic, and boredom-related behavioral vices.
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How much should a horse eat?
Start with body weight, forage quality, and the horse’s condition—not an unweighed scoop or flake. Hay and pasture differ in moisture and nutrients, so their as-fed weights are not directly comparable. The University of Minnesota Extension’s general guidance is that most horses should consume about 2% of body weight in hay daily, but individual needs vary. Use a forage analysis and professional advice when precision matters.
Monitor body condition and adjust the ration with care. Horses with metabolic disease, laminitis risk, poor dentition, difficulty maintaining weight, or other medical needs require an individualized plan. Do not impose severe forage restriction without veterinary guidance.
Pasture, hay, alfalfa, and other forage
Pasture grass
Pasture is forage, but its nutrient content varies. Introduce pasture or any new forage gradually rather than making an abrupt change. Horses with metabolic concerns or other specific needs may require controlled pasture access under veterinary guidance.
Grass hay and legume hay
Common grass hays include timothy, brome, orchard grass, Bermuda, and teff. Alfalfa and other legumes generally provide more protein, minerals, and vitamins than grass hay. Alfalfa can be useful for horses with higher protein or calcium needs, but no hay type is automatically right for every horse. Compare the hay’s quality and analysis with the horse’s needs.
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Forage alternatives
Soaked hay cubes or pellets can help some horses, including those with poor dentition. Certain forms may raise choke concerns and may need soaking. Commercial feeds are not interchangeable: read the label and follow its directions. A forage alternative is not automatically a complete feed.
How to choose and store hay
- Choose clean, good-quality hay suited to the horse and the local forage supply.
- Use a laboratory analysis when nutrient precision matters; appearance or hay type alone does not establish nutrient content.
- Discard moldy or spoiled hay and grain. Do not assume soaking makes moldy forage safe.
- Store feed to keep it dry and protected from contamination.
Do horses need grain?
No, not by default. Many horses meet their needs on good-quality forage. Grain or another concentrate may be appropriate for a horse that struggles to maintain weight, works hard, is pregnant or lactating, or cannot access adequate-quality forage. Consider the full ration and the horse’s needs before adding feed.
Measure concentrates and divide meals
Measure concentrates by weight and follow the feed tag because products differ in density and formulation. Merck Veterinary Manual advises that a horse should not receive more than 0.5% of its body weight in grain-based concentrate at one meal. For a 500-kg (1,100-lb) horse, Merck gives 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) as that upper limit. This is a maximum, not a recommended target. Large concentrate meals can increase digestive upset and laminitis risk; divide substantial amounts into smaller meals.
Make diet changes gradually over approximately 10–14 days to reduce digestive disruption. Read Merck’s feeding-practice guidance.
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- Package Including: you will receive 2 pieces hay nets for horses, the size is about 47 x 20 x 20 inches, when the net is fully stretched, it can accommodate many hays, as well as smaller bags, which is the suitable size to meet your needs
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Water, salt, minerals, and supplements
Keep fresh, clean water available at all times and provide salt. The appropriate mineral plan depends on the whole ration, including forage quality. A ration balancer is a concentrated source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that may help when forage supplies sufficient calories but leaves nutrient gaps. Do not add supplements automatically; follow product directions and consider the complete ration. See University of Minnesota Extension’s guidance on ration balancers.
What treats can horses eat?
Apples and carrots are common treats, but treats should be small extras. Prepare pieces appropriately to reduce choking risk, especially for horses that bolt food or have dental problems. Horses with metabolic concerns may need to avoid sugary or starchy treats; ask a veterinarian or equine nutrition professional if unsure.
UC Davis Center for Equine Health notes that rapid eating, inadequate water, dental disease, and other medical issues can contribute to choke, an obstruction of the esophagus that warrants veterinary attention. Prevention can include appropriately portioning treats, maintaining fresh water, regular oral examinations, and slowing fast eaters with suitable feeding arrangements. A slow-feed hay net may suit some horses, but equipment should be matched to the individual horse and setup. Read UC Davis’s choke guidance and University of Minnesota Extension’s slow-feed hay-net guidance.
Penn State Extension cautions that processed human foods can be high in sugar or starch and that horses with metabolic issues may need to avoid such treats. See Penn State’s treat guidance.
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Safe feeding and individual needs
Use clean feed, discard moldy or spoiled hay and grain, and avoid abrupt diet changes. The right ration depends on age, body condition, workload, dental status, pasture, forage analysis, and health history. Local forage species and hay quality vary, so regional extension guidance can help.
| Horse or feeding situation | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Healthy horse maintaining condition | Good-quality forage may provide most or all of the diet; grain is not automatic. |
| Hard keeper or hard-working horse | Consider whether forage alone supplies enough energy and nutrients; select concentrates for a defined need. |
| Pregnant or lactating mare | Requirements may warrant additional nutrition and an individualized ration. |
| Poor dentition | Suitable soaked forage cubes or pellets may help; consider choke risk and feeding form. |
| Metabolic disease or laminitis risk | Use a veterinarian-directed plan for forage, pasture, and treats. |
| Horse that bolts feed | Appropriately portion food and consider suitable ways to slow eating. |
How to build a safe starting ration
- Assess the horse: Consider body condition, age, workload, dental status, and health history.
- Evaluate forage: Check quality and obtain a laboratory analysis when precision matters.
- Provide forage, water, and salt: Keep forage at the foundation and fresh water continuously available.
- Add concentrate only for a reason: Choose a product for the horse’s needs, weigh it, and follow its label.
- Transition gradually: Make diet changes over approximately 10–14 days.
- Monitor and adjust: Watch body condition, appetite, manure, and eating behavior; seek professional advice for medical or persistent concerns.
When a veterinarian or equine nutrition professional should help
Ask a veterinarian or equine nutrition professional for an individualized plan when a horse has metabolic disease, laminitis risk, poor dentition, difficulty maintaining weight, or another medical need. Seek veterinary attention for suspected choke, refusal to eat, signs of colic, suspected poisoning, or a sudden major change in health or eating behavior.
FAQ
What do horses eat most of the time?
Most horses’ diets are based on forage such as pasture grass and hay. Many healthy horses need little or no grain.
How much hay should a horse eat?
The University of Minnesota Extension says most horses should consume about 2% of body weight in hay daily, while emphasizing that these are broad guidelines. The right amount depends on the horse and the hay’s quality.
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Do horses need grain?
Not necessarily. Grain or another concentrate may be useful when forage does not meet an individual horse’s energy or nutrient needs, but it is not a default requirement.
Can horses eat apples and carrots?
They are common treats, but offer small, appropriately prepared portions. Be especially cautious with horses that bolt food, have dental problems, or have metabolic concerns.
How much grain can a horse eat at one meal?
Merck Veterinary Manual advises no more than 0.5% of body weight in grain-based concentrate at one meal. This is an upper limit, not a target; follow the feed label and divide substantial amounts into smaller meals.
What should I do if my horse chokes?
Choke is an esophageal obstruction and warrants veterinary attention. Contact a veterinarian promptly rather than trying to manage a suspected obstruction on your own.
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Some horses with metabolic issues need to avoid sugary or starchy treats. Ask the horse’s veterinarian or an equine nutrition professional about suitable choices.
The Bottom Line
Build most horses’ diets around clean, good-quality forage. Provide fresh water and salt, use concentrates only when the horse’s needs justify them, and keep treats small and appropriately prepared. Test hay when precision matters, change diets gradually, and seek individualized professional advice for medical concerns.
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