For active horses, the best grains to incorporate into their diet are oats, corn, barley, wheat, and milo. Oats are generally considered the most suitable grain for horses because of their bulk. When feeding horses any grain, it is important to ensure that it is free of mold and dust to prevent forage poisoning and respiratory complications.
What are the nutritional benefits of oats for horses?
Oats have high nutritional value for horses, especially for foals. Older horses that have dental issues can still benefit from crushed oats. Oats are well-balanced chemically, have a fairly high fat content, and are particularly suitable for feeding horses.
How does barley compare to other grains for horses?
Barley can be used as animal feed for horses, and it can be cultivated in poorer soil and at lower temperatures compared to wheat. However, when compared to wheat or corn, barley has a lower starch equivalent, which provides a lower-energy ration that may not be suitable for modern poultry production.
What considerations should be made when feeding corn to horses?
Corn can be used as a fattening cereal for horses, but it can also make them sweat easily.
How much grain should I feed my horse daily?
Weanling foals need approximately three pounds of feed per hundred pounds of their live weight each day. As they get closer to maturity, this requirement decreases to one pound of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily.
What else should I keep in mind regarding my horse’s diet?
Horses should not be fed immediately before or after work to avoid digestive problems. It’s also important to provide fresh water, especially when the horse is shedding its winter coat. However, horses should not be watered when they are overheated after working.
Would you like to explore other aspects of horse nutrition, such as the role of hay or the importance of a balanced diet?